256 Species of Genus Atriplex

The Salt of the Earth: My Exploration of Atriplex

As a botanist, I’m constantly drawn to the diversity and resilience of plant life, especially those that thrive in challenging environments. One genus that has particularly captivated my attention is Atriplex, more commonly known as saltbush or orache. These remarkable plants, with their understated beauty and remarkable adaptability, have carved a niche for themselves in some of the harshest conditions on Earth.

A Diverse Genus

Atriplex is a large genus encompassing approximately 250 species. These range from weedy annuals to sturdy perennials, and even include shrubs and subshrubs. They are found across the globe, from the salt marshes of coastal regions to the arid deserts of the interior. This wide distribution speaks to their remarkable ability to tolerate conditions that would be fatal to most other plants.

Adapting to Salinity

One of the most fascinating aspects of Atriplex is its ability to thrive in highly saline environments. These plants have evolved specialized mechanisms to cope with high salt concentrations, making them valuable in areas affected by salinity. Some species even accumulate salt in their leaves, which they then shed to rid themselves of excess sodium.

A Valuable Resource

Atriplex species have long been recognized for their economic and ecological importance. In many parts of the world, they serve as a valuable forage crop for livestock, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where other plants struggle to grow. Their ability to tolerate grazing and drought makes them a sustainable and reliable food source for animals.

Beyond their use as fodder, Atriplex species have also been utilized for land reclamation and erosion control. Their deep root systems help stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and improving soil health. They are also effective in phytoremediation, as they can absorb and accumulate heavy metals from contaminated soils.

A Closer Look at Species List

The diversity within Atriplex is truly remarkable. Here are:

1. Atriplex abata I.M.Johnst.
2. Atriplex acanthocarpa (Torr.) S.Watson
3. Atriplex acutibractea R.H.Anderson
4. Atriplex acutiloba R.H.Anderson
5. Atriplex aellenii Sukhor.
6. Atriplex alaschanica Y.Z.Zhao
7. Atriplex alces Edginton & E.J.Thomps.
8. Atriplex altaica Suchor.
9. Atriplex amboensis Schinz
10. Atriplex ameghinoi Speg.
11. Atriplex amnicola Paul G.Wilson
12. Atriplex angulata Benth.
13. Atriplex × aptera A.Nelson
14. Atriplex arazdajanica Kapeller
15. Atriplex argentea Nutt.
16. Atriplex argentina Speg.
17. Atriplex asplundii Standl.
18. Atriplex atacamensis Phil.
19. Atriplex aucheri Moq.
20. Atriplex australasica Moq.
21. Atriplex barclayana (Benth.) D.Dietr.
22. Atriplex belangeri (Moq.) Boiss.
23. Atriplex billardierei (Moq.) Hook.f.
24. Atriplex boecheri Aellen
25. Atriplex braunii A.Soriano
26. Atriplex brenanii Sukhor.
27. Atriplex buchananii (Kirk) Kirk ex Cheeseman
28. Atriplex bunburyana F.Muell.
29. Atriplex cana Ledeb.
30. Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.
31. Atriplex centralasiatica Iljin
32. Atriplex cephalantha Aellen
33. Atriplex chapinii I.M.Johnst.
34. Atriplex chenopodioides Batt.
35. Atriplex chilensis Colla
36. Atriplex chizae Rosas
37. Atriplex cinerea Poir.
38. Atriplex clivicola I.M.Johnst.
39. Atriplex codonocarpa Paul G.Wilson
40. Atriplex colerei Maire
41. Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. & Frém.) S.Watson
42. Atriplex congolensis Sukhor.
43. Atriplex coquimbana Phil.
44. Atriplex cordifolia J.M.Black
45. Atriplex cordubensis Gand. & Stuck.
46. Atriplex cordulata Jeps.
47. Atriplex coriacea Forssk.
48. Atriplex cornigera Domin
49. Atriplex coronata S.Watson
50. Atriplex corrugata S.Watson
51. Atriplex costellata Phil.
52. Atriplex coulteri (Moq.) D.Dietr.
53. Atriplex crassifolia Ledeb.
54. Atriplex crassipes J.M.Black
55. Atriplex crenatifolia Chodat & Wilczek
56. Atriplex crispa D.Dietr.
57. Atriplex cristata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.
58. Atriplex cryptocarpa Aellen
59. Atriplex cyclostegia Standl.
60. Atriplex davisii Aellen
61. Atriplex dimorphostegia Kar. & Kir.
62. Atriplex dioica Raf.
63. Atriplex drymarioides Standl.
64. Atriplex eardleyae Aellen
65. Atriplex eichleri Aellen
66. Atriplex elachophylla F.Muell.
67. Atriplex elegans (Moq.) D.Dietr.
68. Atriplex eremitis Cranfield
69. Atriplex erigavoensis Thulin
70. Atriplex erosa A.E.Brueckner & Verd.
71. Atriplex espostoi Speg.
72. Atriplex exilifolia F.Muell.
73. Atriplex eximia A.Soriano
74. Atriplex farinosa Forssk.
75. Atriplex fera (L.) Bunge
76. Atriplex fissivalvis F.Muell.
77. Atriplex flabelliformis Paul G.Wilson
78. Atriplex flabellum Bunge ex Boiss.
79. Atriplex flavida (S.C.Sand. & G.L.Chu) D.J.Keil & D.W.Taylor
80. Atriplex fominii Iljin
81. Atriplex frankenioides Moran
82. Atriplex frigida Speg.
83. Atriplex fruticulosa Jeps.
84. Atriplex gardneri (Moq.) D.Dietr.
85. Atriplex garrettii Rydb.
86. Atriplex glabriuscula Edmondston
87. Atriplex glauca L.
88. Atriplex glaucescens Phil.
89. Atriplex gmelinii C.A.Mey. ex Bong.
90. Atriplex graciliflora M.E.Jones
91. Atriplex griffithii Moq.
92. Atriplex × gustafssoniana Tascher.
93. Atriplex halimus L.
94. Atriplex heterosperma Bunge
95. Atriplex hollowayi de Lange & D.A.Norton
96. Atriplex holocarpa F.Muell.
97. Atriplex hortensis L.
98. Atriplex × hulmeana Tascher.
99. Atriplex humifusa Paul G.Wilson
100. Atriplex humilis F.Muell.
101. Atriplex hymenelytra (Torr.) S.Watson
102. Atriplex hymenotheca Moq.
103. Atriplex hypoleuca Nees
104. Atriplex hystrix Phil.
105. Atriplex iljinii Aellen
106. Atriplex imbricata (Moq.) D.Dietr.
107. Atriplex incrassata F.Muell.
108. Atriplex infrequens Paul G.Wilson
109. Atriplex intermedia R.H.Anderson
110. Atriplex intracontinentalis Sukhor.
111. Atriplex isatidea Moq.
112. Atriplex johnstonii C.B.Wolf
113. Atriplex jubata S.Moore
114. Atriplex julacea S.Watson
115. Atriplex klebergorum M.C.Johnst.
116. Atriplex kochiana Maiden
117. Atriplex laciniata L.
118. Atriplex laevis Ledeb.
119. Atriplex lampa (Moq.) Gillies ex D.Dietr.
120. Atriplex lanfrancoi (Brullo & Pavone) G.Kadereit & Sukhor.
121. Atriplex lapponica Pojark.
122. Atriplex lasiantha Boiss.
123. Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S.Watson
124. Atriplex leptocarpa F.Muell.
125. Atriplex leuca Phil.
126. Atriplex leucophylla (Moq.) D.Dietr.
127. Atriplex limbata Benth.
128. Atriplex lindleyi Moq.
129. Atriplex linearis S.Watson
130. Atriplex linifolia Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.
131. Atriplex lithophila A.Soriano ex Múlgura
132. Atriplex littoralis L.
133. Atriplex lobativalvis F.Muell.
134. Atriplex longipes Drejer
135. Atriplex macropterocarpa (Aellen) H.Eichler
136. Atriplex madariagae Phil.
137. Atriplex malvana Aellen & Sauvage
138. Atriplex matamorensis A.Nelson
139. Atriplex maximowicziana Makino
140. Atriplex mendozaensis Speg.
141. Atriplex micrantha Ledeb.
142. Atriplex mollis Desf.
143. Atriplex moneta Bunge ex Boiss.
144. Atriplex monilifera S.Watson
145. Atriplex montevidensis Spreng.
146. Atriplex morrisii R.H.Anderson
147. Atriplex muelleri Benth.
148. Atriplex muricata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.
149. Atriplex myriophylla Phil.
150. Atriplex nana Parr-Sm.
151. Atriplex × neomexicana Standl.
152. Atriplex nessorhina S.W.L.Jacobs
153. Atriplex nilotica Sukhor.
154. Atriplex nitrophiloides A.Soriano ex Múlgura
155. Atriplex nogalensis Friis & M.G.Gilbert
156. Atriplex × northusanum Wein
157. Atriplex nudicaulis Boguslaw
158. Atriplex nummularia Lindl.
159. Atriplex obconica Paul G.Wilson
160. Atriplex oblongifolia Waldst. & Kit.
161. Atriplex obovata Moq.
162. Atriplex × odontoptera Rydb.
163. Atriplex oestophora S.F.Blake
164. Atriplex oreophila Phil.
165. Atriplex ornata Iljin
166. Atriplex pacifica A.Nelson
167. Atriplex paludosa R.Br.
168. Atriplex pamirica Iljin
169. Atriplex pamparum Griseb.
170. Atriplex papillata J.H.Willis
171. Atriplex paradoxa Nikitina
172. Atriplex parishii S.Watson
173. Atriplex parryi S.Watson
174. Atriplex patagonica (Moq.) D.Dietr.
175. Atriplex patens (Litv.) Iljin
176. Atriplex patula L.
177. Atriplex pedunculata L.
178. Atriplex perrieri Leandri
179. Atriplex peruviana Moq.
180. Atriplex philippica Weinm.
181. Atriplex philippii R.E.Fr.
182. Atriplex phyllostegia (Torr. ex S.Watson) S.Watson
183. Atriplex plebeia Carmich.
184. Atriplex polycarpa (Torr.) S.Watson
185. Atriplex portulacoides L.
186. Atriplex powellii S.Watson
187. Atriplex pratovii Sukhor.
188. Atriplex procumbens Less.
189. Atriplex prosopidum I.M.Johnst.
190. Atriplex prostrata Boucher ex DC.
191. Atriplex pseudocampanulata Aellen
192. Atriplex pseudotatarica Sukhor. & Nidhan Singh
193. Atriplex pueblensis Standl.
194. Atriplex pumilio R.Br.
195. Atriplex pungens Trautv.
196. Atriplex pusilla (Torr. ex S.Watson) S.Watson
197. Atriplex quadrivalvata Diels
198. Atriplex quinii F.Muell.
199. Atriplex quixadensis Del Vitto, Múlgura & Peten.
200. Atriplex recurva d’Urv.
201. Atriplex repanda Phil.
202. Atriplex repens Roth
203. Atriplex reptans I.M.Johnst.
204. Atriplex retusa Gay
205. Atriplex rhagodioides F.Muell.
206. Atriplex robusta Stutz, M.R.Stutz & S.C.Sand.
207. Atriplex rosea L.
208. Atriplex rusbyi Britton
209. Atriplex saccaria S.Watson
210. Atriplex sagittata Borkh.
211. Atriplex sagittifolia Speg.
212. Atriplex schugnanica Iljin
213. Atriplex semibaccata R.Br.
214. Atriplex semilunaris Aellen
215. Atriplex serenana A.Nelson ex Abrams
216. Atriplex sibirica L.
217. Atriplex sorianoi Múlgura
218. Atriplex spegazzinii A.Soriano ex Múlgura
219. Atriplex sphaeromorpha Iljin
220. Atriplex spinibractea R.H.Anderson
221. Atriplex spinifera J.F.Macbr.
222. Atriplex spinulosa Paul G.Wilson
223. Atriplex spongiosa F.Muell.
224. Atriplex stipitata Benth.
225. Atriplex stocksii (Wight) Boiss.
226. Atriplex straminea Stutz & G.L.Chu
227. Atriplex sturtii S.W.L.Jacobs
228. Atriplex subcordata Kitag.
229. Atriplex suberecta I.Verd.
230. Atriplex sukhorukovii Başköse & Yaprak
231. Atriplex taltalensis I.M.Johnst.
232. Atriplex tampicensis Standl.
233. Atriplex × taschereaui Stace
234. Atriplex tatarica L.
235. Atriplex tianschanica U.P.Pratov
236. Atriplex tichomirovii Sukhor.
237. Atriplex tornabenei Tineo ex Guss.
238. Atriplex torreyi (S.Watson) S.Watson
239. Atriplex truncata (Torr. ex S.Watson) A.Gray
240. Atriplex tularensis Coville
241. Atriplex turbinata (R.H.Anderson) Aellen
242. Atriplex turcica Başköse & Yaprak
243. Atriplex turcomanica (Moq.) Boiss.
244. Atriplex undulata (Moq.) D.Dietr.
245. Atriplex valdesii Flores Olv.
246. Atriplex vallenarensis M.Rosas
247. Atriplex velutinella F.Muell.
248. Atriplex verrucifera M.Bieb.
249. Atriplex vesicaria Heward ex Benth.
250. Atriplex vestita (Thunb.) Aellen
251. Atriplex vulgatissima Speg.
252. Atriplex watsonii A.Nelson ex Abrams
253. Atriplex wolfii S.Watson
254. Atriplex wrightii S.Watson
255. Atriplex yeelirrie K.A.Sheph. & K.R.Thiele
256. Atriplex zahlensis Mouterde

The Future of Atriplex

As we face the challenges of climate change and increasing land degradation, the importance of Atriplex is only going to grow. These resilient plants offer a sustainable solution for food production, land reclamation, and even carbon sequestration. Their ability to thrive in harsh conditions makes them ideal candidates for restoring degraded ecosystems and combating desertification.

I believe that further research into Atriplex will reveal even more of its potential. By understanding its unique adaptations and harnessing its remarkable resilience, we can unlock new possibilities for sustainable agriculture, environmental restoration, and a more secure future for all.