Purple Orache

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Purple Orache
• Hoary Orache
• Shining Orache

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Atriplex lucida
• Obione acuminata
• Atriplex hortensis subsp. nitens
• Atriplex hermannii
• Atriplex nitens var. integrifolia
• Atriplex nitens f. orbicularis
• Atriplex nitens f. parvibracteata
• Atriplex nitens f. roseocarpa
• Atriplex nitens f. subsimplex
• Atriplex acuminata f. integrifolia
• Atriplex acuminata f. orbicularis
• Atriplex acuminata f. parvibracteata
• Atriplex acuminata f. roseocarpa
• Atriplex acuminata f. subsimplex

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in both Denmark and Great Britain. Moving toward the central part of the continent, it can be found throughout Middle Europe. Specifically, its range extends through Germany and into the regions of Austria. Furthermore, the species is also distributed across the Czechia-Slovakia area.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Atriplex sagittata is fundamentally defined by its preference for hydric environments, specifically occupying the margins and riparian zones of lakes and rivers. As a plant adapted to these aquatic and semi-aquatic landscapes, it thrives in the moist, often alluvial soils found along the edges of freshwater systems. This proximity to moving or standing water ensures a consistent supply of moisture, which is critical for its growth cycles within these specific niches. By inhabiting the transitional zones between terrestrial land and open water bodies, Atriplex sagittata plays a role in the stabilizing ecology of riverbanks and lakeside shores, where it interacts with the fluctuating water levels characteristic of these habitats.

Habitat :

lakes, rivers

Life history

The life history of Atríplex sagittata is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become suitable for growth. Its physiological structure is further defined by its deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it completes its life cycle or responds to seasonal changes. This life strategy allows the species to efficiently utilize ephemeral resources in its habitat before returning to a seed state to await the next cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Atriplex sagittata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, manifesting as both a herb and a forb. The plant exhibits a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber and functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies. In terms of its ecological positioning, it is categorized as a terrestrial species, though it can exist within aquatic and semiaquatic habitats. The stature of the plant varies significantly, with a minimum height of 0.4 m and a maximum height reaching up to 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Atriplex sagittata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its environment. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 12.25 cm², reflecting its structural investment in light interception and gas exchange surface area. Furthermore, the species possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 171.4 cm²/g, a metric that provides insight into its leaf density and resource allocation strategies, balancing the metabolic costs of leaf construction against the efficiency of photosynthetic productivity.

Leaf size mean:

12.25 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

171.4 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Atriplex sagittata is characterized by a specific phenological window and specialized biological mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in September. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The reproductive process is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring seed production even under varying environmental conditions. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.002656 g, though individual seed weights can range from a minimum of 0.000827 g to a maximum of 0.004974 g. Following maturation, the dispersal of these seeds is primarily anthropochorous, meaning they are spread through human activity.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.004974 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002656 g

Seed mass min:

0.000827 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Atriplex sagittata has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, Flavonoids, Kaempferol-3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside, Kaempferol-3-rutinoside, Narcissoside.

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Kaempferol-3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Kaempferol-3-rutinoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Narcissoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Salicylic Acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Atriplex sagittata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)