Common Name: Orach

General Information

Atriplex hortensis is an erect annual plant with a usually branched stem 50 - 150cm tall, exceptionally to 250cm[].
Orach is a source of food and less commonly a medicine and dye. It was formerly commonly cultivated for its edible leaves, thoug it is much less used at present. There are some named varieties[]. It can be grown as a warm weather substitute for spinach[]. The plant is also grown as an ornamental, valued especially for the bronze or red leaves of selected cultivars and for its seedpods, which are used as dried floral decorations[].
Atriplex hortensis has been widely grown as a potherb. It has escaped from cultivation, and is now widely established in N. America, especially in moist ruderal sites[].

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.
The seed contains saponins[]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[].

Botanical References

,

Range

The plant probably originated in southern Europe, but has spread widely through cultivation and its original habitat is not known

Habitat

Arable land, waste and disturbed ground, shingle etc[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Orach thrives in any temperate climate. It is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation in the range 300 - 1,400mm, a mean average annual temperature in the range of 6 - 24°c[].
Orach is a very easily grown plant, doing equally well in a wide variety of well-drained soils, though rich, moisture-retentive soils give the quick growth that is necessary for the production of tender leaves[, , , ]. Plants require a position in full sun and are tolerant of saline and very alkaline soils[]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.0 to 8.2[]. Established plants are drought resistant[].
Some forms of this species have bronze or deep red leaves and are occasionally grown as ornamental plants, their leaves taste the same as the green-leafed forms[].
Plants are fast-growing[] and usually self-sow quite freely if the surrounding soil is disturbed by hoeing etc[]. They tolerate hot weather well, but soon go to seed so successive sowings at 4 weekly intervals are required during the growing season if a continuous supply of leaves is required[].
Leaves can be harvested 40 - 60 days after sowing the seed[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , ]. A mild and tender salad leaf if harvested before the plant is 15cm tall[]. Older leaves can be used like spinach[], they have a bland flavour and are traditionally mixed with sorrel leaves in order to modify the acidity of the latter[]. Another report says that the flavour is stronger than spinach[].

Seed - cooked. It can be ground into a meal and used in soups etc or be mixed with flour when making bread[, ]. The seed is said to be a good source of vitamin A[]. The seed is also said to contain some saponins[]. See the notes above on toxicity. The seed is small and fiddly to harvest and use.

Medicinal

The leaves are diuretic, emetic and purgative[, ]. They are also said to be a stimulant to the metabolism and an infusion is used as a spring tonic and a remedy for tiredness and nervous exhaustion[]. They have been suggested as a folk remedy for treating plethora and lung ailments[]. The leaves are said to be efficacious when used externally in the treatment of gout[].

The seeds, mixed with wine, are said to cure yellow jaundice. They also excite vomiting[].

The fruits are purgative and emetic[].

Liniments and emollients prepared from the whole plant, like the juice of the plant, are said to be folk remedies for indurations and tumours, especially of the throat[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is a poor companion plant for potatoes, inhibiting their growth when growing close to them[].

Other Uses

A blue dye is obtained from the seed[, ].

The plant is a potential source of biomass. Yields of 14 tonnes per hectare have been achieved in the vicinity of Landskrona and Lund, Sweden. Higher yields might be expected farther south. If the leaf-protein were extracted, this should leave more than 13 tonnes biomass as by-product, for potential conversion to liquid or gaseous fuels[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring to late summer in situ, only just covering the seed[]. Germination is usually good and rapid[].