Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Atriplex patula L. (Spear Saltbush; Common Orache; Spear Orach; Spreading Orach) is a ruderal, circumboreal species of annual herbaceous plants in the genus Atriplex naturalized in many temperate regions. Atriplex patula appears to have been a rather recent introduction in North America from Eurasia, not arriving perhaps until sometime in the early to mid-eighteenth century.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

1 - 5 ft Tall

Sun

Full Sun

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment; optimum germination occurs with light and alternating diurnal temperatures (Young et al. 1980).

Site type

Saline areas

Plant communities

Alkali Sink, Coastal Salt Marsh, Coastal Strand, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 13 likely

Confirmed Likely

Western Pygmy Blue

Brephidium exilis

Morning-glory Plume Moth

Emmelina monodactyla

Garden Webworm Moth

Achyra rantalis

Edwards' Beach Moth

Anarta edwardsii