Atriplex dimorphostegia

Physical Characteristics

Atriplex dimorphostegia is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

W. Asia - Arabia to Afghanistan and Tibet.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked. An emergency food[172]. Seed - used in piñole or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in making bread or mixed with flour in making bread. The seed is small and rather fiddly, about 1.5mm in diameter[266].

Medicinal Uses

None known

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.