Common Name: California Orach

General Information

Atriplex californica is a prostrate to decumbent, herbaceous perennial plant with many-branched stems; it grows 15 - 50cm tall from a fleshy taproot[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food

Known Hazards

No member of this genus contains any toxins, all have more or less edible leaves. However, if grown with artificial fertilizers, they may concentrate harmful amounts of nitrates in their leaves.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-western N. America - California, northern Mexico

Habitat

Sea bluffs, sandy coasts, crevices in sea cliffs, coastal strands, edges of coastal salt marsh, coastal sage scrub; at elevations from sea level to 50 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the temperate zone, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[].
Succeeds in full sun in any well-drained but not too fertile soil[]. Most species in this genus tolerate saline and very alkaline soils[]. Succeeds in a hot dry position.
This species can be monoecious or dioecious - dioecious forms will need both male and female plants if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked.

Seed - cooked. Used as a piñole[, , , ]. The seeds are 1 - 2mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow mid spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 13°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer[].