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Atriplex portulacoides L.

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Credits

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

Recommended citation
'Atriplex portulacoides' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/atriplex/atriplex-portulacoides/). Accessed 2026-05-16.

Family

  • Amaranthaceae

Genus

Common Names

  • Sea Purslane

Synonyms

  • Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen

Glossary

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 portulacoides' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/atriplex/atriplex-portulacoides/). Accessed 2026-05-16.

Atriplex portulacoides

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.

A low shrub of straggling habit 1 to 2 ft high, and of a greyish aspect; young shoots and leaves covered with a close scurf. Leaves opposite, obovate or oblong, 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 in. long, 1⁄8 to 1⁄3 in. wide, tapered at the base. Flowers very small, greenish, borne on a terminal panicle, composed of slender spikes, on which the flowers are arranged in small clusters.

Native of Europe, including Britain, where it is common on the shores. It has nothing to recommend it for the inland garden, for it is not so distinct and silvery as the other species here mentioned. But it is worthy of notice for planting in exposed positions near the sea, where almost anything that will grow is welcome. Flowers in August, and well distinguished from the other species in cultivation by its opposite leaves.

Atriplex portulacoides

Flowers of Atriplex portulacoides appear in late summer; it is well distinguished from the other species in cultivation by its opposite leaves. Here in Lanmodez near Bréhat island, Normandy, France. 3 July 2022. Image Guillaume Mamdy.

Atriplex portulacoides

Flowers of Atriplex portulacoides are very small, greenish, borne on a terminal panicle, composed of slender spikes, on which the flowers are arranged in small clusters. Lanmodez near Bréhat island, Normandy, France. 3 July 2022. Image Guillaume Mamdy.

Atriplex portulacoides

Atriplex portulacoides is a low shrub of straggling habit 30 to 60 cm high, and of a greyish aspect; young shoots and leaves covered with a close scurf. St-Vaast-la-Hougue, north Cotentin, Normandy, France. 21 July 2011. Image Guillaume Mamdy.

Atriplex portulacoides

The grey leaves of Atriplex portulacoides are opposite, obovate or oblong and tapered at the base. St-Vaast-la-Hougue, north Cotentin, Normandy, France. 21 July 2011. Image Guillaume Mamdy.

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