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.

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