Fat-hen (Atriplex prostrata, J.B.A.M.de Lamarck & A.P.de Candolle, Fl. Franç., ed. 3, 3: 387 (1805))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: Boucher ex DC.

Bibliography: J.B.A.M.de Lamarck & A.P.de Candolle, Fl. Franç., ed. 3, 3: 387 (1805)

Year: 1805

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Atriplex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia to N. Xinjiang, E. Canada to E. U.S.A.

Description

Fat-hen, scientifically known as Atriplex prostrata, is a widely distributed herbaceous plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. This resilient plant thrives across a broad geographical range, spanning from Macaronesia to Northern Xinjiang, and from Eastern Canada to the Eastern United States.

The plant was first documented with botanical precision by Boucher and has been cataloged in the noteworthy “Flore Française” (French Flora), in its third edition, as annotated by eminent botanists J.B.A.M. de Lamarck and A.P. de Candolle in 1805. Fat-hen has since been recognized for its adaptability to various climates and soil conditions, making it a ubiquitous presence in many temperate regions.

Characterized by its prostrate growth habit, Atriplex prostrata is often found in saline or disturbed soils, where it can form dense, sprawling mats. Its leaves are typically green to grey-green, with a mealy texture attributed to the presence of tiny, water-storing cells that provide a silvery sheen. This xerophytic adaptation helps the plant conserve water, enabling it to endure in harsher environments.

Fat-hen is also notable for its ecological role and nutritional value. It serves as a food source for various wildlife species and has been utilized historically in traditional diets due to its high content of vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, it contributes to the stabilization of soil in its native habitats, aiding in the prevention of erosion.

In conclusion, Atriplex prostrata or Fat-hen is a remarkable plant species with a significant ecological footprint and historical botanical importance. Its resilience and adaptability underscore its prevalence across diverse regions, affirming its role in both natural ecosystems and human use.

Common Names

Eng: fat-hen, halberd-leaf orache, hastate orache, hastate saltplant, spear-leaf orache, spear-scale, thin-leaf orach, triangle orache, hastate orache,spear-leaved orache, creeping saltbush, spear-leaved orache, halberd-leaved atriplex, halberd-leaved orache, thin-leaved orache
Deu: spiessmelde, spieß-melde, spießblättrige melde
Dan: spyd-mælde, spydbladet mælde, udstrakt spyd-mælde
Fra: arroche hastée, arroche couchée
Nor: geirmjølne
Swe: isomaltsa, spjutmålla, vippmålla
Fin: isomaltsa
Nld: spiesmelde, spiesmelde var. prostrata
Nno: tangmelde, fjøremelde
Nob: tangmelde, fjæremelde
Cym: llygwyn trionglog, llygwyn tryfal
En: Fat-hen, Thin-leaf orach, Spear-leaf orache, Spear-scale, Halberd-leaf orache, Hastate orache, Hastate saltplant, Hastate orache,spear-leaved orache, Triangle orache, Spear-leaved Orache, Creeping saltbush, Halberd-Leaved Orache, Halberd-leaved atriplex, Thin-leaved orache
Zh: Ji ye bin li
Cs: Lebeda hrálovitá širokolistá
Da: Spyd-mælde, Spydbladet mælde, Udstrakt spyd-mælde
Nl: Spiesmelde, Spiesmelde var. prostrata
Fi: Isomaltsa
Fr: Arroche hastée, Arroche couchée
De: Spieß-Melde, Spießblättrige Melde, Spiessmelde, Niederliegende Melde, Spießmelde
He: מלוח מפושק
It: Atriplice comune
No: Geirmjølne
Nb: Tangmelde, Fjæremelde
Nn: Tangmelde, Fjøremelde
Sk: Loboda rozprestretá
Sv: Isomaltsa, Spjutmålla, Vippmålla
Cy: Llygwyn Trionglog, Llygwyn Tryfal

Synonyms

• Atriplex latifolia subsp. prostrata ((Boucher ex DC.) Hiitonen)
• Atriplex hastata var. microsperma ((Waldst. & Kit.) Moq.)
• Atriplex hastata var. prostrata ((Boucher ex DC.) Lange)
• Atriplex latifolia var. prostrata ((Boucher ex DC.) Wimm. & Grab.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by Jean-Claude Serre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2022 by VeronW (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 13, 2022 by U P (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2022 by VeronW (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2022 by VeronW (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2022 by Vishwanath Krishnaswamy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2020 by Anne Blanc (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Quentin LEBASTARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Dieter Cuypers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2020 by Diego Flores Escobar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2019 by Alexis Zanewich (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2020 by Annette Bejany (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 1, 2020 by Théotime Chabre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 7, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Philippe Levarlet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 1, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60448217-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3083786)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Atriplex prostrata Boucher ex DC.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 7

Soil salinity: 1