Atriplex portulacoides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Obione portulacoides
• Halimus portulacoides
• Halimione portulacoides var. appendiculata
• Atriplex angustifolia var. erecta
• Atriplex erecta
• Atriplex patula var. erecta
• Chenopodium portulacoides
• Halimione portulacoides
• Atriplex patula subsp. erecta
• Halimus australis
• Halimus borealis
• Halimione portulacoides var. laevis
• Atriplex patula f. erecta
• Atriplex portulacoides var. erecta
• Atriplex angustifolia subsp. erecta

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it is situated in the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is taxonomically identified under the genus Atriplex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes the countries of Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, and Ireland. Moving toward the central part of the continent, it can also be found in Middle Europe. Specifically, the species has been documented within the borders of Belgium. Together, these locations define the known geographical range of Atriplex portulacoidides.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Atríplex portulacoidoides is characterized by its ability to thrive within a specific altitudinal gradient, predominantly inhabiting low-lying coastal or lowland regions. This species is found across an elevational range that begins at sea level, with a minimum elevation of 0 m AMSL, and extends up to a maximum elevation of 100 m AMSL. This restricted vertical distribution suggests an adaptation to maritime or alluvial environments where soil salinity, moisture availability, and thermal stability are consistent with low-altitude ecosystems. Such a narrow elevational niche indicates that the plant is highly specialized for habitats located near the base level of the landscape, likely favoring areas where the influence of oceanic or lowland hydrological cycles is most pronounced.

Elevational range max:

100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Atriplex portulacoidoides is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its buds and conducting tissues are located close to the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or the substrate itself. This chamaephyte life form is consistently identified across its morphological descriptions, establishing it as a resilient species capable of maintaining its presence within its ecological niche through these specialized growth characteristics.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Atriplex portulaecoides is characterized by a growth form that functions as both a shrub and a subshrub, exhibiting a woody texture. This plant is a terrestrial species that operates as an independent organism, rather than as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting plant with a shoot orientation that is primarily ascending, reaching a minimum height of 0.3 m, a mean height of 0.625 m, and a maximum height of up to 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.625 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Atriplex portulacoides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate species. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by an opposite leaf arrangement, with non-carnivorous leaves that exhibit an elliptic form. These leaves vary significantly in dimensions, with a minimum length of 1 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 5.5 cm, while the width ranges from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm. On average, the leaves possess a size of 5.25 cm², and the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 139 cm²/g, reflecting its resource allocation and leaf thickness strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

opposite

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

5.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

5.25 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

139 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Atriplex portulaecoides is characterized by a specialized flowering process and specific seed production traits. The plant features an inflorescence organized in a panicle structure, with the flowering period beginning in April and extending through December. The individual flowers are relatively small, reaching a maximum length of 0.3 cm. Pollination is primarily an abiotic process, specifically utilizing a wind-driven pollination syndrome. Following fertilization, the plant produces fruit in the form of an achene, which is indehiscent. The resulting seeds exhibit a mean mass of 0.003285 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.00097 g to a maximum of 0.00508 g. Dispersal of these seeds is classified as anthropochorous, occurring through human activity. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, indicating a reliance on sexual reproduction for propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower length max:

0.3 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit type :

achene

Inflorescence :

panicle

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00508 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003285 g

Seed mass min:

0.00097 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Atriplex portulacoides has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Chemicals

Atriplex portulacoides has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 20-HYDROXYECDYSONE.

20-HYDROXYECDYSONE

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Activities

Atriplex portulacoides has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticholinesterase, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Anticholinesterase

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Antioxidant

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters