Fresh leaves are much too acrid to consume; even with multiple changes of boiling water, they are barely palatable. Initial boils produce thick foam; continue boiling and changing the water until the foam subsides. Texture becomes acceptable, flavor remains poor (“spinach-like” notes overwhelmed by distasteful characteristics). Seeds have a starchy base with salty, woody, and terribly acrid overtones - also poor [2-3]. Edible Uses & Rating: Parts used: Leaves (historically boiled as greens), seeds (used when other foods were scarce). Edibility rating: 1/5 (emergency only). Hopi references mention leaves cooked as greens; ancestral use of the seeds during scarcity. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: Leaves: Mandatory processing: Finely chop - boil hard - discard liquor - repeat until no foam; do not add directly to soups (they will taint the pot). Expect only marginal palatability after full treatment. Portion size: Small; irritating compounds (oxalates/saponins/nitrates) can provoke throat/mouth discomfort. Seeds: Harvest - Shake or strip utricles when dry in autumn; expect chaff and insect-damaged seeds. Processing: Thresh/winnow - boil (often two water changes) or toast, then boil to moderate acridity. Even with care, the flavor typically remains unpleasant. Safety & Cautions (Food Use): Chemistry: Leaves commonly accumulate oxalates, saponins, nitrates (and other salts). Processing is mandatory: Leaves: Finely chop - vigorous boil - discard liquor - repeat until foam stops; even then, expect poor flavor and potential irritation—do not use as soup greens. Seeds: Thresh/winnow - boil (often two water changes) or toast then boil to reduce harshness; results remain marginal. Who should avoid: Individuals with a kidney-stone history (oxalates) or on nitrate-sensitive meds should avoid this plant as food. Recommendation: Treat as non-food for routine use; survival/emergency only. Bottom line: This species is not recommended for routine foraging; reserve for survival scenarios [2-3]. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks: Other Atriplex shrubs (e.g., A. canescens, A. lentiformis)—similar gray scurf and salty leaves; all share the same cautions. Allenrolfea occidentalis (picklebush)—jointed fleshy stems rather than leafy shoots; different genus and use profile.

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

Design uses: Windbreak/hedge, glare and heat-tolerant plants for desert plantings, saline bioswale edges, stabilization of alkali flats. It is outstanding for erosion control, wildlife cover, and site reclamation, but it is not a suitable food source for humans. Roots: Deep, wide-spreading root system; excellent soil binder in loose, salty substrates. Ecology & Wildlife: Cover: Dense branching offers nesting and refuge for small birds and desert mammals. Forage (wildlife/livestock): Browsed sparingly (secondary forage); high salts/oxalates limit intake. Soil: Strong salinity and alkalinity tolerance, erosion control, and rhizosphere salt sequestration via bladder hairs; valuable in reclamation of saline road margins, tailings, and alkali sinks. Pollination: Primarily wind-pollinated (inconspicuous flowers). Companions (desert guilds): Creosote bush (Larrea), bursage (Ambrosia dumosa), saltbush guilds (Atriplex spp.), iodine bush (Allenrolfea), saltgrass (Distichlis), seepweed (Suaeda).

Special Uses