Giant Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)

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

Atriplex nummularia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

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

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 thickener in soups that are added to flour for making bread. — Leaves and young shoots - cooked.; It can be used as a piñole or be ground into a meal and used as a thickener in soups that are added to flour for making bread.

Habitat & North American Range

Alkaline places, mainly below 600 metres in California. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)