Atriplex patula L.

Spice Fruit

Family: CHENOPODIACEAE

Genus: Atriplex

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Holoartica

Uses and properties: Edible or foodstuffs.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Humid soils and cultivated fields.

Characteristics: A herb which grows postrate on the ground, with linear or lanceolate leaves, sometimes with a couple of lobules at the base of the leaf. The fruits have a triangular margin. It can be mistaken for Atriplex postrata, which has medium-sized, triangular, truncated leaves. It lives in slightly saline solids, but can be found in dry farmlands. It flowers in summer and in autumn.