Amaranthaceae FAMILY

Atriplex patula

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Most reports say that no member of this genus contains any toxins and that all have more or less edible leaves. However, one report says that if very large quantities are eaten they can cause photosensitivity[ 70 Title Lichens for Vegetable Dyeing. Publication Author Bolton. E. Publisher Studio Vista Year 1972 ISBN 0-289-70288-7 Description A small but interesting book for the casual reader and the enthusiast. ]. If plants are grown with artificial fertilizers they may concentrate harmful amounts of nitrates in their leaves.

Botanical Description

Atriplex patula is a usually erect, annual plant with a branched stem 30 - 90cm tall[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine The plant has spread as a weed and become naturalized in temperate regions of New Zealand, North and South America.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeEurasia - Norway to Portugal, through northern Asia to eastern Siberia, through Ukraine to the Caucasus, through Turkey to Afghanistan and the Levant

HabitatWaste and arable land near the coast[ 9 Title Edible and Medicinal Plants. Publication Author Launert. E. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2 Description Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information. ], it is usually found on clays and heavy ground[ 4 Title A Modern Herbal. Publication Author Grieve. Publisher Penguin Year 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Description Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants. ]. Roadsides, waste ground, riverbanks, and weed-infested places generally[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ].