Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

Atriplex patula
Halberd-leaf orache, Spear saltbush, Spear saltweed, Spearscale, Common orach, Fat-hen saltbush
Taxonomy

Synonyms:

Subspecific taxa:

Classification:

Other taxonomic & nomenclature sources: USDA Plants;  ITIS;  The Plant List;  IPNI

Species Distribution
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More about map & occurrence records

County Map Legend
Absent:
Not known from county
Medium confidence:
Medium or unknown confidence;
often old records or unverifiable observations
Medium-high confidence:
Often observations by expert botanists
High confidence:
Often vouchered herbarium records
Planted / introduced:
Native species introduced outside historic range,
or only in planted locations within county (e.g., restorations)
Historic / extirpated:
Only historic records for the species; likely extirpated
(Note that this category is not yet functional)

North American distribution maps for this species: FLNA;  USDA Plants;  BONAP;  BISON

Collections, Observations & Flowering by Month [?]

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F
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M
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A
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M
0
J
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J
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A
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S
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O
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N
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Collections & Observations by Decade [?]

Species Status

Status/Listing: No Information

Notes:

Origin: Native

Species Description

General: Dicot-herb, annual

Roots: primary

Shoots: alternate, opposite leaf arrangment; simple leaf type; entire leaf margin; Pinnate leaf venation; awl-shaped, linear, oblong, sagittate, oblique leaf shape

Inflorescence: spike

Flowers: unisexual, monoecious; incomplete, not petals; hypogynous ovary position

Fruit: achene

Physiology: autotrophic; C3 C02 fixation

Reproduction: sexual

Ecology & Natural History

Habitat: Found in saline or alkaline soil and waste places. Disturbed areas, gardens, unmowed areas about tree stumps in lawns and parkways; also found around dumps.

ILPIN Notes: A highly variable species, sometimes segregated into seperate species. Including Atriplex hastata. Uncommon in southern Illinois. May not be an economic weed in our area, seldom a troublesome weed. Northeastern Illinois populations probably from Eurasian introductions. In western U.S., causes summer hayfever. Young growing leaves and tips may be cooked as greens. Considered superior to Chenopodium album and related species.

Functional Relationships:

  • Pollinators: wind
  • Dispersal:
  • Mycorrhizae:
  • N2 fixation:

Human Relationships:

  • Edibility [?] :
  • Showy Flowers:

Wildlife and Livestock Information:

  • Food Value:
  • Cover Value:

Coefficient of Conservatism (C-value) [?] :

  • Entire State:
  • Chicago Area:

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