Frosted orache (Atriplex laciniata, Sp. Pl.: 1053 (1753))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1053 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Atriplex

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. & NW. Europe

Description

Frosted orache, known scientifically as Atriplex laciniata, is a distinctive and intriguing member of the Amaranthaceae family. First documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this robust plant has piqued the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Native to the regions of Western and Northwestern Europe, frosted orache thrives in coastal habitats where saline conditions would typically challenge many other plant species. This hardy plant displays a remarkable adaptability to its environment, often found in sandy soils or salt marshes. The presence of this plant in such locations signifies its ecological importance and tolerance to saline conditions, making it a valuable subject of study in salt-marsh ecosystems.

The appearance of Atriplex laciniata is notable with its distinctive frosted leaves, which give the plant its common name. These leaves are intricately lobed, adding to the unique texture and aesthetic that sets it apart from other members of the Amaranthaceae family. The frosted orache’s foliage often exhibits a silvery or whitish hue, particularly in younger plants, which is believed to play a role in reflecting excess sunlight and minimizing water loss, an essential adaptation for survival in its often harsh native habitats.

In addition to its fascinating morphology, frosted orache plays an essential role in its ecosystem. It provides shelter and food for various invertebrates and serves as a pioneer species that stabilizes sandy soils, promoting the establishment and growth of other plant communities in coastal areas.

Understanding and conserving Atriplex laciniata is crucial for maintaining the biodiversity and ecological health of the coastal regions it inhabits. Its ability to flourish in saline environments presents numerous possibilities for research, particularly in understanding plant resilience and adaptation in response to changing global climates and increasing soil salinity.

Common Names

Eng: frosted orache, belgian saltbush, belgian orache
Deu: gelappte melde, sandmelde
Dan: sølv-mælde
Fra: arroche des sables, arroche laciniée
Nld: gelobde melde
Swe: sandmålla, gråmålla
Nor: strandmjølne
Nob: sølvmelde
Nno: sølvmelde
Cym: llygwyn ariannaid, llygwyn ariannaidd
Gla: eilifleog phlúrach
En: Frosted orache, Belgian saltbush, Belgian orache
Da: Sølv-mælde
Nl: Gelobde melde
Fi: Hopeamaltsa
Fr: Arroche des sables, Arroche laciniée
De: Gelappte Melde, Sandmelde, Sand-Melde
No: Sølvmelde, Strandmjølne
Nb: Sølvmelde
Nn: Sølvmelde
Gd: Eilifleog phlúrach
Sv: Sandmålla, Gråmålla
Cy: Llygwyn ariannaid, Llygwyn Ariannaidd

Synonyms

• Atriplex arenaria (J.Woods)
• Atriplex sabulosa (Rouy)
• Atriplex tornabenei var. nivea ((Merino) Merino)
• Chenopodium pinnatum (Moq.)
• Chenopodium sinuatum (Thunb.)
• Atriplex laciniata var. truncata (Gray)
• Atriplex bocconii (Guss.)
• Obione sabulosa ((Rouy) G.L.Chu)
• Schizotheca laciniata ((L.) Fourr.)
• Atriplex thunbergiana (Schult.)
• Obione laciniata ((L.) G.L.Chu)
• Atriplex astracanica (Balb.)
• Atriplex astrachanica (Ledeb.)
• Atriplex maritima (L.)
• Atriplex abbreviata (Opiz)
• Atriplex sinuata (Hoffm.)
• Atriplex pruinosa (Sieber ex Moq.)
• Atriplex incisa (Ledeb.)
• Chenopodium laciniatum ((L.) Thunb.)
• Atriplex microphylla (Schur)
• Atriplex albicans (Willd.)

Distribution

• Belgium (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Norway (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Arthur ENGUEHARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2022 by Aurignacian Adam (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by jacques maréchal (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 4, 2022 by Steven Law (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 18, 2022 by Abdul Ghaffar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2021 by Jeff B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2018 by ju689 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by Frédéric Beuvier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 15, 2022 by Marc Fily (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2022 by Marc Fily (cc-by-sa)

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

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

Taken Aug 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

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

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3083783)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:163905-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Atriplex laciniata L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 7

Soil salinity: 7