Atriplex obovata

Moq.

Mound Saltbrush

Amaranthaceae Potential hazards — see below

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(c) Bobby McCabe, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bobby McCabe

What to Eat

Edible uses & rating: Leaves (cooked), possibly seeds. Edibility rating: 2–3/5. Taste & processing notes: Typical salty/“cheno” flavor reduced by boiling; use broth cautiously or discard. Season/harvest: Late summer–autumn bloom/seed set. Cautions: Oxalates—limit servings; always cook.

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. The seed contains saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

Where to Find It

Arizona to SW. Colorado and NE. Mexico.

Arizona, Colorado, Mexico Northeast, New Mexico, Texas, Utah.

How to Identify

Atriplex obovata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) 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.

How to Grow

A subshrub or shrub growing primarily in the temperate biome. Growing conditions: Full sun; arid, alkaline loams/clays; very drought-tolerant. Hardiness: ~USDA 5–9. Habitat & range: Colorado Plateau, pinyon-juniper zones and valleys. Size & habit: 0.3–1 m rounded mound. Cultivation: Useful for erosion control in alkaline sites; low-water landscape. Weed potential: Low. Atriplex obovata (mound / Navajo saltbush). Flowers are inconspicuous, often unisexual, with no showy petals and lots of exposed anthers—textbook for the genus. Primarily wind-pollinated, with pollen shed into open air and caught by feathery stigmas. Insects may be present but are incidental.

Propagation: Seed (fall sow), or cuttings.