Garden orache (Atriplex hortensis, Sp. pl. 2:1053. 1753, nom. cons.)

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:1053. 1753, nom. cons.

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Atriplex

Vegetable: True

Observations: Caucasus to C. Asia

Description

Garden orache, known scientifically as Atriplex hortensis, is a captivating plant species belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. First documented in Linnaeus’ “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this resilient plant has endured centuries of botanical interest and cultivation.

Originating from the regions spanning the Caucasus to Central Asia, Garden orache has adapted to a variety of climates and soil conditions. This adaptability makes it a popular choice for gardeners and horticulturists looking to introduce a versatile and hardy green to their gardens.

The plant itself is characterized by its striking foliage, which can range in color from green to deep purples, adding a splash of vibrant hues to any garden landscape. Historically, Garden orache has not only been valued for its ornamental qualities but also for its edible leaves. Rich in nutrients, the leaves have been used in cooking much like spinach, contributing a unique flavor profile and nutritional benefits.

As a member of the Amaranthaceae family, Atriplex hortensis shares many traits with its relatives, including robust growth and a tendency to thrive in less-than-ideal soil conditions. This makes it an excellent option for areas prone to drought or where soil nutrition may be lacking.

In botanical circles, the plant is also noted for its role in plant sciences and agricultural studies, providing insight into plant resilience and adaptability. Its ability to prosper in various environments underscores its importance as a species worthy of further research and conservation.

In conclusion, Garden orache stands out not only for its beauty and utility but also as a symbol of botanical endurance and adaptability. Its rich history and wide-ranging habitat from the Caucasus to Central Asia make it a fascinating subject for both amateur and professional botanists alike.

Common Names

Fra: arroche des jardins, arroche rouge des jardins, bonne-dame
Lit: daržinė balandūnė
Eng: garden orache, garden orach, armuelle mole, bledos moles, mountain-spinach, orache, garden saltbush, french spinach, garden atriplex
Deu: garten-melde, gartenmelde, spanischer salat
Dan: have-mælde
Est: aedmalts
Por: armolas, armoles, erva-armoles
Spa: armuelle mole, bledos moles
Lav: d
Hun: kerti laboda
Ces: lebeda zahradní
Nno: matmelde
Nob: matmelde
Swe: tarhamaltsa, trädgårdsmålla, mållspenat
Fin: tarhamaltsa
Nld: tuinmelde
Cym: llygwyn yr ardd
En: Garden orache, Mountain-spinach, Orache, Garden orach, Armuelle mole, Bledos moles, Garden saltbush, French spinach, Garden atriplex, Mountain Spinach, Orach
Ca: Armoll
Zh: Yu qian bo cai
Cs: Lebeda zahradní
Da: Have-mælde
Nl: Tuinmelde
Et: Aedmalts
Fi: Tarhamaltsa
Fr: Arroche des jardins, Arroche rouge des jardins, Bonne-dame
De: Spanischer Salat, Gartenmelde, Garten-Melde, Garten Melde
Hu: Kerti laboda
It: Atriplice degli orti, Bietolone rosso
Lv: D
Lt: Daržinė balandūnė
Nb: Matmelde
Nn: Matmelde
Pt: Armolas, Armoles, Erva-armoles
Es: Armuelle mole, Bledos moles, Armuelle
Sv: Trädgårdsmålla, Tarhamaltsa, Mållspenat
Cy: Llygwyn yr Ardd

Synonyms

• Atriplex ruberrima (Moq.)
• Atriplex hortensis var. microtheca ((Moq.) P.Fourn.)
• Atriplex hortensis var. viridis (Lej. & Courtois)
• Atriplex hortensis var. rubra (L.)
• Atriplex hortensis var. lutea (Alef.)
• Atriplex purpurea (Voss)
• Atriplex hortensis var. veneta (Alef.)
• Atriplex hortensis var. obtusifolia (Moq.)
• Atriplex hortensis subsp. microtheca ((Moq.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Atriplex heterantha (Wight)
• Atriplex hortensis var. microsperma (Moq.)
• Atriplex hortensis var. purpurea (Lej. & Courtois)
• Atriplex atrosanguinea (Voss)
• Atriplex spectabilis (Ehrh. ex Moq.)

Distribution

• East European Russia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Albania (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Inner Mongolia (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)
• Yukon (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Andy Lea (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 27, 2020 by Georgina Gomez Ferre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Victoria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2020 by addi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2021 by Lena Z (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2008 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 15, 1993 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 1986 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2019 by Peter Vohwinkel (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 20, 2020 by Antoine Fortumeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2020 by addi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2019 by Jerome Guignery (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Ruud Janssen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2019 by Peter Vohwinkel (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Алена Подольская (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2022 by Tom Schöning (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2008 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2020 by Gribalev Valeriy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2019 by Peter Vohwinkel (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 18, 2022 by Eric Favre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by NathaN Del (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2020 by Green Pumpkin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Ajay Thakar (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.

© 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/3083761)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:272934-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Atriplex hortensis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Spread: {‘cm’: 45}

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 8