Atriplex heterosperma
Atriplex oblongifolia
orach, Russian atriplex, Russian atriplex orach
oblong-leaf orach, oblong-leaf orache
alternate except proximal-most;
petiole 2–3 cm;
blade green on both sides, triangular to lance-triangular, 30–120 × 12–90 mm, hastate or subcuneate, margin subentire or irregularly dentate, farinaceous at first, finally glabrous.
alternate above;
petiole 0.5–3 cm;
blade green on both sides or distal leaves whitish abaxially, triangular to lance-triangular, (20–)30–85 × 6–90 mm, base hastate or sub-cuneate, margin subentire, entire, or irregularly dentate, farinaceous at first, later glabrous.
in terminal or axillary pyramidal panicles 6–25+ cm.
in terminal or axillary ± paniculate inflorescences 6–25+ cm.
5-merous, with bracteoles free to base.
with 5 sepals.
dimorphic, all bracteolate and lacking sepals.
dimorphic, all bracteolate and lacking sepals.
vertical; of larger bracteoles yellowish brown, flat, 2–3 mm wide, dull; of smaller bracteoles black, 1.5 mm wide or less, shiny;
radicle inferior, basal.
vertical; of large bracteoles yellowish brown, 2–3 mm wide, flat, dull; of small bracteoles black, 1.5 mm wide or less, shiny;
radicle of brown seeds subbasal to median and antrorse.
bracteoles orbiculate-ovate, of 2 sizes;
larger ones 5–6 × 5 mm;
smaller ones 2 × 2 mm, margin entire, surfaces smooth.
loosely spaced, of 2 sizes; large fruiting bracteoles oval to ovate, 5–6 × 5 mm, with faces lacking appendages, small ones similar in shape, 2 mm and wide.
= 36.
= 36.
Atriplex heterosperma
Atriplex oblongifolia
Russian atriplex occurs with greasewood, saltgrass, cottonwood, tamarix, and weedy annuals. It is a handsome, vigorous ruderal, weedy annual indigenous to Europe east to Chinese Turkestan that appears to be invading saline lowland and other disturbed areas throughout much of North America. It is similar to Atriplex prostrata from which it can be distinguished by the entire margin and smooth surfaces of the fruiting bracteoles. Additionally, the leaves are thick-textured and often bear one or more lobes or teeth irregularly along the blade above the subbasal main hastate lobe. The staminate spikes when young are very slender, mainly less than 2.5 mm thick.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
I. J. Bassett et al. (1983) indicated that Atriplex oblongifolia formed abundant, very fertile hybrids with A. patula in the Botanic Garden at Manchester University. This is a weedy species with facies similar to both A. dioica and A. glabriuscula var. acadiensis. The proximal branches at least are opposite, similar to phases of the nearly allied A. patula, however. It is likewise an introduced ruderal weed of roadsides and other waste places. Its spread in North America awaits documentation. The thin, entire fruiting bracts without appendages are pointed to as diagnostic of this entity from other similar species.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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