Flowering Months:
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Family:
Amaranthaceae (Amaranth)
Also in this family:
Annual Sea Purslane, Annual Seablite, Babington's Orache, Common Amaranth, Common Glasswort, Common Orache, Early Orache, Fat Hen, Fig-leaved Goosefoot, Frosted Orache, Glaucous Glasswort, Good King Henry, Grass-leaved Orache, Green Amaranth, Long-spiked Glasswort, Love-lies-bleeding, Many-seeded Goosefoot, Maple-leaved Goosefoot, Nettle-leaved Goosefoot, Oak-leaved Goosefoot, One-flowered Glasswort, Perennial Glasswort, Prickly Saltwort, Purple Glasswort, Red Goosefoot, Saltmarsh Goosefoot, Sea Beet, Sea Purslane, Shiny Glasswort, Shrubby Seablite, Spear-leaved Orache, Stinking Goosefoot, Summer Cypress, Upright Goosefoot, White Pigweed, Yellow Glasswort
Maximum Size:
1 metre tall
Habitats:
Meadows, roadsides, saltmarshes, seaside.
Long-stalked Orache produces small, greenish, inconspicuous flowers, typical of the goosefoot family (Amaranthaceae). The plant is monoecious, meaning it bears both male and female flowers on the same plant. The female flowers are subtended by two bracteoles and are found in the axils of leaves or in small terminal clusters, while the male flowers tend to form denser terminal spikes. Flowering occurs from July to September. The flowers are wind-pollinated and not particularly showy, relying on function over form.
Fruit:
The fruits develop from the female flowers and consist of flattened, slightly angled seeds enclosed in a pair of triangular to rhomboid-shaped bracteoles (leaf-like coverings). These bracteoles are a key feature for identification and are typically long-stalked, giving the plant its common name. The seeds are usually black and flattened, and can persist for some time. They are dispersed through wind and water, particularly in its favoured coastal or saltmarsh habitats.
Leaves:
The leaves are alternate, greyish-green, and often mealy (covered in fine white hairs when young), giving them a somewhat frosted appearance. They are variable in shape, typically ovate or triangular with a toothed margin, and can range from 2–6 cm long. The stalked leaves are one of the key identification points, with the lower leaves usually having long petioles (stalks), hence the name longipes. Upper leaves may be more sessile (without stalks). This foliage is adapted to salty environments and may store salts in specialised tissues.
Fragrance:
Long-stalked Orache has no noticeable fragrance. The flowers are unscented, and the leaves, while sometimes mealy or succulent, do not release any strong aroma when crushed. It is not a plant noted for its smell but rather for its ecological niche and adaptability to saline conditions.
Summary
Atriplex longipes, commonly known as Long-stalked Orache, is a species of saltbush from the Amaranthaceae family. It is a perennial plant that typically grows to be around 30-100 cm tall. It has a bushy habit, and the leaves are ovate or triangular, 1-10 cm long and 2-6 cm wide, and are green or gray-green in color. The flowers are small, inconspicuous and greenish-white and are produced in dense spikes or panicles. This plant is commonly found in saline soils, salt marshes, and alkali flats and it is tolerant to salt and drought. It is also used as a forage plant and it is considered as a weed in some parts of the world.
Blog
Long-stalked Orache, also known as Atriplex longipes, is a herbaceous plant native to western North America. This unique plant has several distinctive features, including its long, slender stalks and its edible leaves.
Long-stalked Orache typically grows in sandy or gravelly soils, often near streams or in other moist areas. The plant can reach heights of up to three feet, with leaves that are generally oblong in shape and measure around two inches in length. The leaves are typically green or gray-green in color, with a slightly wavy texture.
One of the most striking features of Long-stalked Orache is its long, slender stalks. These stalks can measure up to two feet in length, and they give the plant a distinctive appearance that is easily recognizable. The stalks are typically green or red in color, and they may be either smooth or slightly rough to the touch.
Long-stalked Orache is an important food source for both wildlife and humans. The leaves are edible and can be cooked and eaten like spinach or used as a salad green. The seeds of the plant are also edible and have been used as a food source by Native American tribes for centuries. In addition to its nutritional value, Long-stalked Orache has also been used for medicinal purposes, particularly as a treatment for digestive problems and other ailments.
Despite its many benefits, Long-stalked Orache is not without its challenges. The plant is often considered a weed, and it can be invasive in some areas. In addition, it may be toxic to livestock if consumed in large quantities, so it is important to exercise caution when grazing animals near Long-stalked Orache populations.
Long-stalked Orache is also known to have cultural and spiritual significance for many Native American tribes in the western United States. The plant has been used in various traditional ceremonies and is believed to have healing properties. Some tribes also use the plant to make dyes for textiles and other materials.
In terms of its ecology, Long-stalked Orache plays an important role in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion in riparian areas. Its deep root system helps to hold soil in place, while its above-ground biomass provides a protective layer that helps to prevent sediment from washing away during floods or heavy rainfall events.
Long-stalked Orache is a hardy and adaptable plant that can thrive in a variety of environmental conditions. However, it is particularly well-suited to dry and arid environments, where its ability to conserve water and tolerate drought conditions gives it a competitive advantage over other plants.
In recent years, Long-stalked Orache has become the focus of increased attention among conservationists and restoration ecologists, who are working to restore riparian habitats and improve water quality in streams and rivers throughout the western United States. By planting Long-stalked Orache and other native plants, these efforts aim to create healthier and more resilient ecosystems that support a diverse array of wildlife and plant species.
Facts
Long-stalked Orache (Atriplex longipes) is a plant species belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. Here are some facts and a summary about this plant:
- Long-stalked Orache is a herbaceous perennial plant that is found in the western United States and Mexico.
- It is commonly found in areas with alkaline soils such as salt flats, alkali flats, and deserts.
- The plant has an erect stem that can grow up to 3 feet tall, and its leaves are long and narrow, with a slightly wavy edge.
- Long-stalked Orache produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are green or yellowish-green in color and are arranged in clusters.
- The plant is an important food source for many animals, including pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep.
- Long-stalked Orache has a long history of use by indigenous peoples in the region for food and medicinal purposes. The leaves and stems are often boiled or steamed and eaten as a vegetable, and the plant has also been used to treat various ailments such as stomachaches and skin conditions.
- The species is considered to be a low-maintenance plant that can survive in harsh conditions, making it a good choice for restoration projects and xeriscaping.
- Long-stalked Orache is not currently listed as a threatened or endangered species, but it may face some threats from habitat loss and degradation due to human activities such as development and agriculture.
In summary, Long-stalked Orache is a hardy and useful plant species that is found in the western United States and Mexico. It has a long history of use by indigenous peoples for food and medicine, and it is an important food source for many animals. While it is not currently endangered, it may face some threats from human activities.
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