Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia)

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

Atriplex confertifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June, 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. The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves - cooked and used as greens. The water in which the leaves is cooked is used in making corn pudding. Seed - used in piñole or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in making bread or mixed with flour in making bread[95, 105. — Leaves - cooked and used as greens.; The water in which the leaves is cooked is used in making corn pudding.; Seed - used in piñole or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in making bread or mixed with flour in making bread[95, 105.

Habitat & North American Range

Gravelly to fine-textured soils in greasewood, mat-atriplex, other salt desert shrub, sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and ponderosa pine communities, 600 - 2200 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)