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Atriplex_truncata - (Torr.)A.Gray.

Common Name Wedgescale Saltbush
Family Chenopodiaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards No member of this genus contains any toxins, all have more or less edible leaves. However, if grown with artificial fertilizers, they may concentrate harmful amounts of nitrates in their leaves.
Habitats Saline saltgrass-greasewood-rabbitbrush communities, and other pans or palustrine or lacustrine habitats at elevations of 400 - 2700 metres[270].
Range Western N. America - southern British Columbia to California.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Atriplex_truncata Wedgescale Saltbush


Atriplex_truncata Wedgescale Saltbush

 

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Summary

Wedgeleaf saltbush or saltweed is an annual herb native to California, growing to 0.9m in cold to warm temperate climates. The leaves and young plants are cooked and have a salty flavour. The seed is prepared and used in piñole, an ancient grain originating with the Aztecs, or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in making bread. Other Atriplex species are recommended for human consumption, and Atriplex truncata as a fodder crop. Leaves are available all year.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Atriplex_truncata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.9 m (3ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Obione truncata.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves and young plants - cooked. A salty flavour. Seed - cooked[161, 177, 257]. Used in piñole or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in making bread or mixed with flour in making bread.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A good fodder crop.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though it should be possible to grow it as a spring-sown annual. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in full sun in any well-drained but not too fertile soil[200]. Most species in this genus tolerate saline and very alkaline soils[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow April/May in situ[134]. Germination is usually rapid.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia (south)), United States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, California, Nevada, Utah)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Atriplex truncataWedgescale SaltbushAnnual0.9 7-10  LMNDM204

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Torr.)A.Gray.

Botanical References

6071270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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