Common Name: Grey Sage Brush

General Information

Atriplex canescens is a much-branched, erect, evergreen shrub usually growing 80 - 200cm tall; it typically develops a rounded form and is as much wide or wider than it is tall[, ].
The plant has long been used by the native N. Americans, especially the Hopi, as a food, medicine and dye. It is commonly used in soil reclamation and stabilization projects and is also commonly grown as an ornamental plant, especially in semi-arid regions. It makes a god hedge and shelterbelt[].
The plant is grown worldwide to increase forage production on arid rangelands. It has become naturalized on cold, warm, and hot deserts throughout the world[].

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

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Range

Central and southwestern N. America - Washington, Alberta and North Dakota, south to California and Texas

Habitat

Sandy or gravelly, commonly non-saline but in other situations obviously saline, sites in Joshua tree, blackbrush, greasewood, salt desert shrub, sagebrush, mountain brush, and pinyon-juniper communities; at elevations from 100 - 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Atriplex canescens is adapted to desert climates. Temperature gradations across its range are great. In northern salt-desert associations, annual precipitation ranges from 150 - 350 mm; summers are hot and dry; and winters are cold. Within the plant's range, there are areas that rarely experience winter frosts. In other areas, winter temperatures may dip to -46°c. The ability of the plant to tolerate cold (and therefore, cold deserts) varies with ecotype[].
Requires a position in full sun in any well-drained but not too fertile soil[, , ]. Plants can tolerate some shade in their native habitat[]. Tolerates saline and very alkaline soils[]. Plants are very tolerant of maritime exposure, though they dislike wet climates[]. Resents root disturbance when large. Succeeds in a hot dry position.
Plants develop a deep taproot that, in favourable soils, can be 6 metres or more long[].
A very ornamental plant[], though it is liable to succumb to winter wet when grown on heavy or rich soils[, ].
This species forms hybrids with Atriplex confertifolia and Atriplex gardneri[].
The plant has several different forms, each adapted to different environmental conditions. In addition, there are various ploidy levels - as well as diploids, there are triploids, tetrapoids etc. Although ploidy levels can only be shown by testing samples of the plant, they are adapted in particular to different moisture levels and elevations. It is important therefore, when choosing plants for a specific location, to ensure that you obtain seed/plant material from a similar site[].
The plant may sprout from the root crown after top-growth is removed by fire or browsing. However, sprouting vigour varies among populations and is difficult to predict based upon geographic location. Some populations show only a weak sprouting response; others no not sprout at all [].Atriplex canescens var. gigantea is often found in active sand dunes and accommodates the change in depth of sand by rooting (i.e., layering) along the buried portions of the stem. Actual plant length below the sand surface is often much greater than that showing above the surface[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required. Occasional monoecious plants are found[, ].
Individual plants can change sex. The change is more generally from female to male and is apparently associated with stress such as cold or drought. It would appear that the change confers a survival advantage on the plant[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked or raw[, 94. A very acceptable taste with a salty tang[]. The leaves can be used at any time of the year though winter harvesting must be light because the plant is not growing much at this time of year[].

Seed - cooked[, ]. Ground into a powder, mixed with cereals and used in making cakes etc or used as a piñole[, , ]. It is small and very fiddly to utilize[]. The ground up seed can also be mixed with water and drunk as a refreshing beverage[].

The burnt green herb yields culinary ashes high in minerals and these are used by the Hopi Indians to enhance the colour of blue corn products[, ]. The ashes can be used like baking soda[].

Medicinal

The leaves can be made into a soapy lather and used as a wash on itches and rashes such as chickenpox[]. A poultice of the crushed leaves can be applied to ant bites to reduce the pain and swelling[].

The roots have been used to treat coughs and toothaches[].

The seeds and leaves have been used to make an enemetic tea[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A good hedge in maritime areas, it responds well to trimming[].
The plant has fire-retardant properties and can be used for barrier plantings to control bush fires[].
The plant is widely used in rangeland and riparian improvement and reclamation projects, including burned area recovery. It is probably the most widely used shrub for restoration of winter ranges and mined land reclamation. It is drought and cold resistant, palatable, relatively easy to establish with artificial regeneration, and establishes on harsh (and even toxic) sites. It is adaptable on sites with declining water tables, brackish groundwater, or saline soils. The deep roots help stabilize erodible soils. It can facilitate establishment of native shrubs, such as sagebrush, that are more resistant to artificial regeneration[].

Other Uses

The leaves and stems were burnt by the Hopi Indians and the alkaline ash used to maintain the blue colour when cooking blue corn[].
A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves and stems[].

The leaves can be crushed and made into a soapy lather and used as a hair wash[].

Seed extracts have produced significant mortality in Culex mosquito larvae[].

Propagation

Seed - sow mid spring in a cold frame in a compost of peat and sand. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 13°c[]. Pot up the seedlings when still small into individual pots, grow on in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts.
The seed hasgermination inhibitors - the fruit bracts and seedcoats present mechanical barriers to germination. Seeds also have chemical dormancy from saponins in the utricle. Seeds therefore require stratification, leaching, and/or scarification for germination. When dormancy breaks, seeds germinate when enough moisture for seed imbibition accompanies warm temperatures[]
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a very sandy compost in a frame. Very easy. Pot up as soon as they start to root (about 3 weeks) and plant out in their permanent positions late in the following spring[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, late autumn in a frame. Very easy. Pot up in early spring and plant out in their permanent position in early summer[].
Layering of the stems. Some forms of this species self-layer[].