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Atriplex wrightii - S.Watson

Common Name Wright’s Saltweed
Family Amaranthaceae
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. The seed contains saponins[240]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].
Habitats
Range Southern Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Atriplex wrightii Wright’s Saltweed


(c) James Bailey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Atriplex wrightii Wright’s Saltweed
(c) Daniel McNair, some rights reserved (CC BY)

 

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Summary

Taxonomic Note: This genus was formerly classified in the family Chenopodiaceae. Modern classifications include it within the Amaranthaceae. A reliable desert “salt green” for spring pots—simple, boiled, and best when young. Herbaceous native of southern Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; often blooms in spring (earlier than many congeners). Locally known as “salt greens.”


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Atriplex wrightii is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: 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

Homotypic Synonyms: Obione wrightii (S.Watson) Ulbr. Heterotypic Synonyms: A. radiata J.M.Coult.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edibility (summary & rating). Leaves esteemed as potherbs by the Pima; boil to temper salts/irritants. Seeds are likely usable as in other Atriplex, though not highlighted here. Edibility rating: 3/5 (good boiled green when young). Parts used & preparation: Leaves - Harvest tender spring growth, boil (change water if needed), and use as a side vegetable. Seeds: If attempted, process as for orache—thresh/winnow/grind; cook [2-3]. Harvest tips. Take only young, tender shoots; if very briny/irritating, blanch, refresh, then finish cooking [2-3]. Traditional uses. Pima potherb (“salt greens”).

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

Other Uses

Good for desert swales, ephemeral washes, saline flats

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

It is an annual and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome. The native range of this species is Arizona to W. Texas and Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua). Season & phenology: Often flowers in spring; leafy flush early with moisture pulses. Identification notes: Scurfy herb, bright gray-green; typical Atriplex bractlets on female flowers; recognized locally as “salt greens.” Habitat & distribution: Desert swales, ephemeral washes, saline flats of s. AZ/NM/TX. Growing conditions & cultivation: Full sun; drought/alkali tolerant; responds to summer rains. Hardiness: Warm-season annual/biennial; reseeds reliably in USDA 7–10. Size & habit: 30–100 cm, branching clumps. Weed potential: Low–moderate. Abundant after disturbance/rains but not typically invasive outside niche. Lookalikes & cautions: Other desert oraches; same oxalate/nitrate precautions—boil and moderate use.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

By seed; shallow sow after winter or with summer monsoon moisture.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Atriplex wrightii — Wright’s Saltweed, Obione wrightii, Atriplex radiata

Native Range

US. Arizona, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, New Mexico, Texas

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.

Low–moderate. Abundant after disturbance/rains but not typically invasive outside niche.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available

IUCN Red List

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Atriplex argenteaSilvery Orach, Silverscale saltbush, Stalked saltbushAnnual0.5 4-9  LMNM322
Atriplex argentea expansaSilverscale SaltbushAnnual0.6 -  LMNM20 
Atriplex californicaCalifornia Orach, California saltbushPerennial0.1 7-10 MLMNDM303
Atriplex canescensGrey Sage Brush, Fourwing saltbushShrub1.8 3-9 MLMNDM313
Atriplex carnosaThickleaf OrachAnnual0.9 -  LMNDM20 
Atriplex cinereaGrey SaltbushShrub2.0 9-11 MLMNDM303
Atriplex confertifoliaShadscale, Shadscale saltbushShrub1.5 4-9 MLMNDM312
Atriplex coronataCrownscaleAnnual0.4 -  LMNDM20 
Atriplex dimorphostegia Annual0.2 -  LMNDM20 
Atriplex elegansWheelscale SaltbushAnnual0.2 0-0  LMNDM301
Atriplex glabriusculaScotland orache, Maritime saltbush, Frankton's saltbush, Northeastern saltbushAnnual0.3 0-0  LMNDM20 
Atriplex gmeliniiGmelin's saltbushAnnual0.5 0-0  LMNDM20 
Atriplex halimusSea Orach, SaltbushShrub2.0 7-10 MLMNDM513
Atriplex hastataHastate OrachAnnual0.8 0-0  LMNDM302
Atriplex hortensisOrach, Garden oracheAnnual1.8 5-9 FLMNM423
Atriplex lapathifolia Annual0.9 -  LMNDM30 
Atriplex lentiformisQuail Bush, Big saltbush, Quailbush,Shrub3.0 8-11 MLMNDM213
Atriplex littoralisGrassleaf oracheBiennial0.7 4-11 FLMHNDM200
Atriplex maximowiczianaMaximowicz's saltbushPerennial0.8 0-0  LMNDM20 
Atriplex mucronata Annual0.4 -  LMHNDM20 
Atriplex nummulariaGiant Saltbush, Bluegreen saltbushShrub3.5 7-10 MLMNDM323
Atriplex nuttalliiNuttall's SaltbushShrub0.9 5-9 MLMNDM402
Atriplex obovataMound SaltbrushShrub1.0 5-9 MLMHNDM303
Atriplex patulaSpreading Orach, Spear saltbushAnnual0.8 0-0  LMNM310
Atriplex polycarpaCattle spinachShrub1.0 8-10 MLMNDM104
Atriplex powelliiPowell's SaltweedAnnual0.7 4-9  LMNDM302
Atriplex roseaTumbling or redscale saltweedAnnual0.6 3-10 FLMNDM222
Atriplex saccariaSack SaltbushAnnual0.3 5-9  LMNDM300
Atriplex semibaccataAustralian Saltbush. Australian saltbush, Creeping saltbushShrub0.5 8-11 FLMHNDM303
Atriplex serenanaBractscale, Davidson's bractscaleAnnual3.0 8-11  LMNDM300
12

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.

 

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Author

S.Watson

Botanical References

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Subject : Atriplex wrightii  
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