Atriplex L.

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Atriplex' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/atriplex/). Accessed 2025-05-20.

Family

Amaranthaceae

Species in genus

Glossary

alternate: Attached singly along the axis not in pairs or whorls.
family: A group of genera more closely related to each other than to genera in other families. Names of families are identified by the suffix ‘-aceae’ (e.g. Myrtaceae) with a few traditional exceptions (e.g. Leguminosae).
included: (botanical) Contained within another part or organ.

References

There are no active references in this article.

Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Atriplex' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/atriplex/). Accessed 2025-05-20.

Atriplex portulacoides is worth planting in exposed positions near the sea, where almost anything that will grow is welcome. Here in Lanmodez near Bréhat island, Normandy, France. 3 July 2022. Image Guillaume Mamdy.

About half a dozen species of A.triplex are occasionally met with in gardens, the commonest and best being A. halimus. Previously included in Chenopodiaceae (goosefoot family), but now in Amaranthaceae, they are chiefly distinguished by the grey, whitish or silvery aspect of the foliage. The W. American species form part of the characteristic grey vegetation of the great alkaline and saline areas of that region. Leaves alternate or rarely opposite; flowers very small and quite unattractive. They need a light soil of moderate quality not enriched with manure, and a sunny position. They rarely bear fruit, and some do not even flower in cultivation. All should be tried in maritime localities. Increased easily by summer cuttings.

The sea or silvery orache, Atriplex halimus, is often cultivated as forage plant because of its tolerance for severe conditions of drought, and it can grow easily in very alkaline and saline soils. Bréhat island, north Brittany, France. 5 July 2022. Image Guillaume Mamdy.

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