Atriplex truncata

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Atriplex truncata
Light:Full Sun
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:3'
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Atriplex truncata (common name: wedgescale saltbush)

Propagation: Seed - sow April/May in situ[1]. 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[2]. Most species in this genus tolerate saline and very alkaline soils[2].

Range: Western N. America - southern British Columbia to California.

Habitat: Strongly alkaline soils, mostly below 2400 metres[3][4]

Edibility: Leaves and young plants - cooked. A salty flavour.

Seed - cooked[5][6][7]. Used in piñole or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in making bread or mixed with flour in making bread.

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: Obione truncata.

Links

References

  1. Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  3. Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
  4. Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
  5. Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
  6. Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
  7. Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.