Atriplex argentea expansa
| Atriplex argentea | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Atriplex argentea expansa (common name: silverscale saltbush)
Propagation: Seed - sow April/May in situ. Germination is usually rapid.
Cultivation: 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[1]. Most species in this genus tolerate saline and very alkaline soils[1].
Range: South-western N. America.
Habitat: Alkaline places[2].
Edibility: Leaves - cooked, or boiled with other foods as a flavouring[3]. The water that the leaves have been cooked in can also be used as a flavouring[3].
Seed - cooked. It can be ground into a meal and used as a thickener in soups etc, or be mixed with flour when making bread etc[3][4].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Monoecious
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.
Also Known As: A. expansa. S. Wats.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.