ATRIPLEX PROSTRATA

Family and Genus:- See- AMARANTHACEAE/A. prostrata group

Common Name:- Spear-leaved orache

Homotypic Synonyms:- Atriplex hastata var. prostrata, Atriplex latifolia

subsp. prostrata, Atriplex latifolia var. prostrata, Atriplex patula var. prostrata.

Meaning:- Atriplex (L) A name used by the Roman naturalist and philosopher

Pliny, from the ancient Greek meaning black and intertwined.

Prostrata (L) Lying flat, prostrate.

General description:- Prostrate-spreading to erect, much-branched annual.

Stems:-

1) Up to 100 cm, angular or ridged, with long internodes.

Leaves:-

1) Opposite or alternate.

a) Lower, 3-10 cm, triangular, truncate ± at the base greyish-green or with a

glaucous, glabrous or thinly farinose

b) Upper, oblong to narrowly lanceolate, entire.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, leafy at least below.

2) Bracteoles, 2-6 mm. triangular to triangular-ovate, dentate, sometimes cuneate

at the base.

Fruit:-

1) Seed, 2 mm. diam, vertical, lenticular, dark brown to black, shiny.

Key features:-

1) Bracteoles sessile, thin, not inflated.

2) Plant usually erect.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Saline and sub-saline soils by the sea, occasionally on wasteground,

roadsides and in vineyards etc. up to 100(-500) m.

Distribution:- Throughout Greece. Europe, Mediterranean region and SW. Asia.

Not too common on Crete, mainly in the east.

Flowering time:- July-Nov.

Photos by:- Marinos Gogolos