Grey Sage Brush (Atriplex canescens)

Family: Chenopodiaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Atriplex canescens is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

taste with a salty tang. — Leaves - cooked or raw[85, 94.; A very acceptable taste with a salty tang.; The leaves can be used at any time of the year though winter harvesting must be light because the plant is not growing much at this time of year.; Ground into a powder, mixed with cereals and used in making cakes etc or used as a piñole.

Habitat & North American Range

Sandy or gravelly, commonly non-saline but in other situations obviously saline, sites in Joshua tree, blackbrush, greasewood, salt desert shrub, sagebrush, mountain brush communities. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)