Atriplex Patula
Atriplex Patula is a dicot annual weed. Atriplex Patula also known as variety names such as Arroche Des Champs, Common Orache, Gemeine Melde, Gmelin's Saltbush, Halberd-leaf Orache, Spear Saltbush, Spreading Orach, Spreading Orache, Uitstaande Melde, Wild Arrach, Wild Orache. Atriplex Patula belongs to the chenopodiaceae family. Patula means spreading and this is why Atriplex Patula also refers to as spreading orache.
The stems of Atriplex Patula are smooth, usually tinged with red and mostly erect and branched. The leaves are triangular in outline with sharp point on the edge. Flowers are green and form a compact or paniculiform clusters. They flowering from July to September and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers can be either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant and it is pollinated by wind or insect. Atriplex Patula prefer in full sun and well-drained soil. They are often found in salty or alkaline soils and also on clays and heavy ground. They can grow from 1 to 3 feet in height. Their leaves and seed had edible uses such as young leave can be raw or cooked as a spinach substitute and seed can be ground and mixed with cornmeal or used to thicken soups. Beside that, Atriplex Patula is also useful in medicine use for laxative. Moreover, they also have known to cures headaches, wandering pains, and the first attacks of rheumatism. Atriplex Patula is found throughout North America and it is a very widespread species.
Plants distribution by States
Distribution of Atriplex Patula in Utah
Elevation Range: 840 to 2,000 meters