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Atriplex californica - Moq.

Common Name California Orach, California 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 Sea bluffs, sandy coasts, crevices in sea cliffs, coastal strands, edges of coastal salt marsh, coastal sage scrub from sea level to 50 metres[270].
Range South-western N. America - California.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Atriplex californica California Orach, California saltbush


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stickpen
Atriplex californica California Orach, California saltbush
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary

A. californica Moq. is a synonym of Extriplex californica. Formerly, it was included in genus Atriplex.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Atriplex californica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August, 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. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. californica Moq. is a synonym of Extriplex californica

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked. Seed - cooked. Used as a piñole[103, 105, 161, 177]. The seeds are 1 - 2mm in diameter[270].

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

Saltbush is often used for erosion control, as a windbreak, and for soil stabilization. Its high salt tolerance makes it suitable for saline soils, and it can be used as forage for livestock. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: No – Saltbush is wind-pollinated, so it doesn’t produce nectar-rich flowers to attract pollinators. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – Saltbush provides food for wildlife through its seeds and foliage. It is an important food source for herbivores like birds and small mammals. The dense, bushy form also provides shelter and cover for nesting birds and other small animals. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – The dense, shrubby growth of Saltbush offers good ground cover for invertebrates, and the fallen leaves can serve as shelter and overwintering sites for beneficial insects. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Saltbush does not have a strong aromatic smell that repels pests, so it is not typically used as a pest confuser.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. Saltbush can be harvested for forage throughout the growing season, typically in late spring to early autumn. Saltbush generally flowers in late summer to early autumn, depending on the specific species and growing conditions. Saltbush species are typically slow to moderate in growth, depending on the environmental conditions, but can establish well in poor soils. The plant may be monoecious or dioecious, with some plants having both male and female flower types, and others having just one.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow April/May in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 13°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer[134].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Extriplex californica. California saltbush or California orache.

Native Range

Native to: California, Mexico Northwest

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 argenteaSilvery Orach, Silverscale saltbush, Stalked saltbushAnnual0.5 0-0  LMNM222
Atriplex argentea expansaSilverscale SaltbushAnnual0.6 -  LMNM20 
Atriplex canescensGrey Sage Brush, Fourwing saltbushShrub1.8 6-9 MLMNDM413
Atriplex carnosaThickleaf OrachAnnual0.9 -  LMNDM20 
Atriplex cinereaGrey SaltbushShrub2.0 9-11 MLMNDM303
Atriplex confertifoliaShadscale, Shadscale saltbushShrub1.8 6-9 MLMNDM412
Atriplex coronataCrownscaleAnnual0.4 -  LMNDM20 
Atriplex dimorphostegia Annual0.2 -  LMNDM20 
Atriplex elegansWheelscale SaltbushAnnual0.2 0-0  LMNDM200
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 7-10 MLMNDM313
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 patulaSpreading Orach, Spear saltbushAnnual0.8 0-0  LMNM31 
Atriplex powelliiPowell's SaltweedAnnual1.5 -  LMNDM20 
Atriplex saccariaSack SaltbushAnnual0.3 -  LMNDM20 
Atriplex semibaccataAustralian Saltbush. Australian saltbush, Creeping saltbushShrub0.5 9-11 FLMHNDM203
Atriplex serenanaBractscale, Davidson's bractscaleAnnual3.0 7-10  LMNDM20 
Atriplex subcordata Annual0.5 -  LMNDM20 
Atriplex tataricaTatarian oracheAnnual1.5 0-0  LMNDM20 
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

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Botanical References

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Subject : Atriplex californica  
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