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Summary
A scrappy annual: seeds are the value; leaves are best left. Atriplex rosea is an erect, annual plant with a usually branched stem growing 30 - 90cm tall, occasionally to 200cm[74 , 270 ]. The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of potash The plant has spread to various parts of the temperate zone, probably as a weed in ship's ballast. It is widely naturalized in N. America and is also found in New Zealand, southern S. America, S. Africa etc[270 ]. Tumbling or redscale saltweed is an introduced annual with edible seeds that were historically ground into porridge by the Navajo, though they are of limited value. The leaves are harsh and not suitable for eating. It grows in USDA Zones 6–10 and is weedy/invasive in disturbed or saline soils [2-3].
Physical Characteristics
Atriplex rosea is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Wind.
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: 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
Atriplex alba Scop. Atriplex albicans Besser. Atriplex arenicola Hauman. Atriplex argentea Schrad. ex Moq. Atriplex axillaris Ten. Atriplex besseriana Schult. Atriplex foliolosa Link. Atriplex foliosa Guss. Atriplex graeci Tineo. Atriplex monoica Moench. Atriplex monoica Weigel. Atriplex polysperma Ten. Atriplex spatiosa A.Nelson. Atriplex terraconensis Sennen. Atriplex verticillata Lag. Chenopodium roseum (L.) E.H.L.Krause. Obione axillaris (Phil.) Ulbr. Schizotheca rosea Fourr.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Young shoots - pickled and used as a caper substitute[74 ]. Tumbling or redscale saltweed (Atriplex rosea), an annual of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), is an introduced species in North America, originally native to Europe and western Asia. Within the genus Atriplex, the plants are known to accumulate oxalates, nitrates, saponins, and other potentially harmful compounds, so all edible use requires caution and avoidance of raw consumption. Among its parts, only the seeds are reported as edible. The Navajo Indians of northeastern Arizona ground these seeds into a porridge after the plant became established in their region. The leaves are not reported as edible, which aligns with their harsh, unpleasant taste even after boiling; while they resemble spinach in flavor, they retain an acrid bite that makes them unsuitable for food. The seeds themselves were not sampled in your notes, but they may be less objectionable than the foliage. Flowering occurs in summer, with seeds ripening in autumn [2-3]. Traditional uses. Navajo porridge from seeds.
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.
Used in the treatment of scrofula and scurvy[74 ]. This probably refers to the leaves[K ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
The plant is used as a source of potash[74 ]. Widespread in saline roadsides, field margins, vacant lots; introduced from Eurasia.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Species in this genus generally succeed 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 ]. Atriplex rosea is adapted to dry, disturbed, and saline soils. Based on its ecology and distribution in the western United States, it is best suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 6–10, tolerating arid and semi-arid conditions. As a non-native annual that spreads by tumbling seed-bearing plants across open ground, it is considered weedy or invasive in some areas of its introduced range, especially in western North America.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
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Plant Propagation
Seed - sow mid spring in situ[134 ]. Germination is usually rapid.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Tumbling or redscale saltweed (Atriplex rosea),
Native Range
Native to: Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, South European Russi, Spain, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Ukraine, Yugoslavia Introduced into: Alabama, Alberta, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Bolivia, British Columbia, California, Cape Provinces, Chile Central, Colorado, Florida, Free State, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Madeira, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Northwest, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand South, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Sweden, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
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.
Moderate–high. A classic ruderal; can colonize disturbed ground aggressively—dead plants tumble and spread seed. Atriplex rosea is adapted to dry, disturbed, and saline soils. Based on its ecology and distribution in the western United States, it is best suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 6–10, tolerating arid and semi-arid conditions. As a non-native annual that spreads by tumbling seed-bearing plants across open ground, it is considered weedy or invasive in some areas of its introduced range, especially in western North America.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Atriplex argentea | Silvery Orach, Silverscale saltbush, Stalked saltbush | Annual | 0.5 |
4-9
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Atriplex argentea expansa | Silverscale Saltbush | Annual | 0.6 |
-
| | LM | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex californica | California Orach, California saltbush | Perennial | 0.1 |
7-10
| M | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Atriplex canescens | Grey Sage Brush, Fourwing saltbush | Shrub | 1.8 |
3-9
| M | LM | N | DM | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Atriplex carnosa | Thickleaf Orach | Annual | 0.9 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex cinerea | Grey Saltbush | Shrub | 2.0 |
9-11
| M | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Atriplex confertifolia | Shadscale, Shadscale saltbush | Shrub | 1.5 |
4-9
| M | LM | N | DM | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Atriplex coronata | Crownscale | Annual | 0.4 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex dimorphostegia | | Annual | 0.2 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex elegans | Wheelscale Saltbush | Annual | 0.2 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Atriplex glabriuscula | Scotland orache, Maritime saltbush, Frankton's saltbush, Northeastern saltbush | Annual | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex gmelinii | Gmelin's saltbush | Annual | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex halimus | Sea Orach, Saltbush | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-10
| M | LM | N | DM | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Atriplex hastata | Hastate Orach | Annual | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Atriplex hortensis | Orach, Garden orache | Annual | 1.8 |
5-9
| F | LM | N | M | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Atriplex lapathifolia | | Annual | 0.9 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | |
| Atriplex lentiformis | Quail Bush, Big saltbush, Quailbush, | Shrub | 3.0 |
8-11
| M | LM | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Atriplex littoralis | Grassleaf orache | Biennial | 0.7 |
4-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Atriplex maximowicziana | Maximowicz's saltbush | Perennial | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex mucronata | | Annual | 0.4 |
-
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex nummularia | Giant Saltbush, Bluegreen saltbush | Shrub | 3.5 |
7-10
| M | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Atriplex nuttallii | Nuttall's Saltbush | Shrub | 0.9 |
5-9
| M | LM | N | DM | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Atriplex obovata | Mound Saltbrush | Shrub | 1.0 |
5-9
| M | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Atriplex patula | Spreading Orach, Spear saltbush | Annual | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Atriplex polycarpa | Cattle spinach | Shrub | 1.0 |
8-10
| M | LM | N | DM | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Atriplex powellii | Powell's Saltweed | Annual | 0.7 |
4-9
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Atriplex saccaria | Sack Saltbush | Annual | 0.3 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Atriplex semibaccata | Australian Saltbush. Australian saltbush, Creeping saltbush | Shrub | 0.5 |
8-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Atriplex serenana | Bractscale, Davidson's bractscale | Annual | 3.0 |
8-11
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 0 |
|
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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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Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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