Atriplex californica
| Atriplex californica | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Atriplex californica
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[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in full sun in any well-drained but not too fertile soil[2]. Most species in this genus tolerate saline and very alkaline soils[2]. 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[2].
Range: South-western N. America - California.
Habitat: Sea bluffs and sandy coasts[3].
Edibility: Leaves - cooked.
Seed - cooked. Used as a piñole[4][5][6][7].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
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.
Links
References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ Heywood, Vernon. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 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.