Sea orache (Atriplex halimus, Sp. Pl.: 1052 (1753))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1052 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Atriplex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to W. Iraq and NE. Trop. Africa, Arabian Pen.

Description

Sea orache, scientifically identified as Atriplex halimus, is a perennial shrub belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. Originally cataloged in the mid-18th century, this resilient plant is notable in the comprehensive work of Linnaeus, as cited in “Species Plantarum” on page 1052, published in 1753.

This halophytic species is widely distributed across various regions, thriving predominantly in Macaronesia, the Mediterranean stretching to Western Iraq, and extending into the northeastern tropics of Africa as well as the Arabian Peninsula. Its adaptability to saline soil environments makes sea orache an important plant in coastal and arid ecosystems.

Typically characterized by its grayish-green leaves which are often covered with a silvery sheen due to tiny, reflective scales, sea orache can manage and even thrive in environments with high salinity. These features not only help in reducing water loss but also reflect excess sunlight, making it well-suited for hot, dry locales.

The plant plays a significant ecological role, often used in soil reclamation projects and as a pioneer species in the rehabilitation of degraded lands. Its ability to stabilize soils and prevent erosion is particularly valuable in sandy and saline regions. Additionally, sea orache serves as a fodder plant for grazing animals, contributing to the agricultural and ecological stability of the areas it inhabits.

Apart from its environmental benefits, sea orache can also be used in culinary contexts, much like its close relatives in the amaranth family, providing a nutrient-rich option particularly suited for saline-prone agricultural practices.

In summary, Atriplex halimus stands out as a versatile and resilient plant capable of thriving in harsh environments while offering significant ecological and practical benefits.

Common Names

Spa: amuelle grande, armuelle glauco, marisma, orzaga, osagra, salgada, álimo
Fra: arroche marine, arroche halime, pourpier de mer, épinard de mer
Eng: mediterranean saltbush, shrubby orache, saltbush, sea orache
Deu: strauch-melde, strauchmelde
Ara: qataf
Por: salgadeira
Nno: saltbusk
Nob: saltbusk
Cym: llwyn llygwyn, llwyni llygwyn
En: Sea orache, Shrubby orache, Mediterranean saltbush, Saltbush, Sea purslane, Sea-orache, Sea Orach, Tree Purslane
Ar: Qataf, رغل ملحي
Az: Şoranlıq sirkəni
Ca: Salat blanc
Zh: 地中海滨藜
Nl: Struikmelde
Fi: Risumaltsa
Fr: Pourpier de mer, Arroche halime, Arroche marine, Épinard de mer, Arroche en arbre, Fessecul, Halime
De: Strauchmelde, Strauch-Melde
He: מלוח קיפח
It: Atriplice alimo, Porcellana di mare, Alismo
No: Saltbusk
Nb: Saltbusk
Nn: Saltbusk
Pt: Salgadeira
Es: Armuelle glauco, Marisma, Salgada, Orzaga, Osagra, Álimo, Amuelle grande, Marismo, Salado blanco, Salobre
Zh-tw: 地中海濱藜
Cy: Llwyn llygwyn, Llwyni Llygwyn

Synonyms

• Atriplex halimus f. ramosissima ((L.Chevall.) Maire)
• Atriplex halimus f. intermedia ((L.Chevall.) Maire)
• Atriplex halimus var. serrulata ((Pau) Alcaraz, Garre & Sánchez-Gómez)
• Atriplex halimus var. grandifolia (Lázaro Ibiza)
• Atriplex halimus f. rifea ((Sennen & Mauricio) Maire)
• Atriplex halimus var. denticulata (Sennen & Pau)
• Atriplex halimus var. venosa (L.Chevall.)
• Atriplex halimus f. granulata ((L.Chevall.) Maire)
• Atriplex kataf (Ehrenb. ex Boiss.)
• Atriplex halimus var. argutidens (Bornm.)
• Schizotheca halimus ((L.) Fourr.)
• Atriplex halimus var. schweinfurthii (Boiss.)
• Atriplex serrulata (Pau)
• Atriplex halimus var. rifea (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Atriplex halimus var. granulata (L.Chevall.)
• Chenopodium halimus ((L.) Thunb.)
• Obione halimus ((L.) G.L.Chu)
• Atriplex halimus var. intermedia (L.Chevall.)
• Atriplex halimus var. ramosissima (L.Chevall.)
• Atriplex halimus f. venosa ((L.Chevall.) Maire)
• Atriplex halimus var. hastulata (Maire)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Amsterdam-St.Paul Is (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Iran (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 18, 2020 by jid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2019 by Dominique Auguste (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Victoria eutopa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by Capucine Capucine Chavagnac (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Victoria eutopa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Victoria eutopa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2020 by André Hyvrier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Rodrigues Roberto (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2020 by Joke van der Zwaan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 18, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Jean-René Girardeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2022 by Mireille Delmas (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Fero Looxi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2019 by Castillo Orlin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by Capucine Capucine Chavagnac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2019 by Jean-Daniel BLARD (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2019 by Jean-Daniel BLARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2019 by Jean-Daniel BLARD (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/3083718)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:163845-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Atriplex halimus L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 7

Soil salinity: 7