Sack Saltbush (Atriplex saccaria)

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

Atriplex saccaria is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves and young plants - cooked and used as greens. A salty flavour. Seed - cooked. Used in piñole or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in making bread or mixed with flour in making bread. — Leaves and young plants - cooked and used as greens.; Used in piñole or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in making bread or mixed with flour in making bread.

Habitat & North American Range

Mat-atriplex, shadscale, greasewood, and pinyon-juniper communities, on fine-textured saline substrates, at elevations of 1100 - 2200 metres. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)