Quail Bush (Atriplex lentiformis)

Family: Chenopodiaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Atriplex lentiformis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to September, and the seeds ripen from July to October. 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, Shoots

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves and young shoots - cooked. Seed - cooked. It can be used as a piñole or be ground into a meal and used as a porridge, a thickener in soups or added to flour for making bread. The seed is rather small and fiddly to use. — Leaves and young shoots - cooked.; It can be used as a piñole or be ground into a meal and used as a porridge, a thickener in soups or added to flour for making bread.; The seed is rather small and fiddly to use.

Habitat & North American Range

Saline to essentially non-saline drainages, stream and canal banks, roadsides, warm desert shrub, saltbush, and riparian communities at elevations of 70 - 1000 metres. (Zone 8)