Australian Orache

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Australian Orache
• lagoon saltbush
• sprawling saltbush
• peregrine saltbush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Obione suberecta

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 further categorized into the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Atríplex, specifically as the species Atríplex suberecta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several continents and climatic zones. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented within the borders of Germany. Moving toward the Mediterranean region, it can be found in Southwestern Europe, specifically in France, as well as in Northern Africa within Morocco. The species also inhabits the Macaronesian region, specifically on the Canary Islands. Finally, its range extends to South Tropical Africa, where it is recorded in Zimbabwe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Atriplex suberecta is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit a diverse range of vertical landscapes. It is found across an elevational range that spans from sea level up to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. This extensive range from 0 m to 2100 m AMSL suggests an adaptability to varying climatic conditions, ranging from lowland coastal or valley environments to higher-altitude montane zones. Such ecological plasticity enables the species to persist in various topographical settings within its natural habitat.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Atriplex suberecta are characterized by a specific chromosomal architecture that serves as a fundamental baseline for its cytogenetic profile. A key defining feature of its genome is its chromosome number, which is documented as 18. This diploid number provides the structural basis for its genetic inheritance and plays a critical role in the plant's reproductive stability and evolutionary lineage within the Amaranthaceae family.

Chromosome number :

18

Life history

The life history of Atriplex suberecta is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. Following the arrival of favorable environmental conditions, the plant emerges and rapidly develops its structural components to maximize resource acquisition. As the season progresses, it transitions into its reproductive phase, dedicating significant energy to the development of flowers and the subsequent maturation of seeds. Once the seeds are fully developed and dispersed, the individual plant undergoes senescence and dies, leaving the next generation to depend on the seed bank to restart the cycle when conditions become suitable again.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Atriplex suberecta is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This species is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a parasite, maintaining an independent existence. It exhibits a terrestrial habit, spanning various moisture levels from aquatic and semiaquatic to terrestrial environments, though it does not act as an epiphyte. In terms of physical structure, the plant features an ascending shoot orientation and reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.07 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.07 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Atriplex suberecta is characterized by a specialized photosynthetic pathway utilizing the C4 mechanism, which allows for efficient carbon fixation and optimized water use efficiency. Its vegetative structure features distinctive lobed leaf forms that vary significantly in dimension. The leaves exhibit a wide range of sizes, with lengths spanning from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width is highly variable, ranging from a narrow minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum width of 3.5 cm, contributing to the plant's overall morphological adaptability.

Leaf form :

lobed

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Atriplex suberecta is characterized by a monoecious sexual reproduction system, where male and female flowers are borne on the same plant. The flowering period typically commences in April and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable across different months of the year. The plant produces distinct red flowers, which facilitate the reproductive cycle. Following successful pollination, the plant produces small seeds with a mean, minimum, and maximum mass of 0.00082 g. These seeds exhibit specific morphological dimensions, with a minimum seed length of 1 mm and a maximum length of 1.5 mm, while the seed width ranges from a minimum of 1 mm to a maximum of 1.5 mm.

Flower colour :

red

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed length max:

1.5 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.00082 g

Seed width max:

1.5 mm

Seed width min:

1 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Atriplex suberecta has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, RUTIN, Saponins, Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine

RUTIN

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine

Saponins

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine

Tannins

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine

Activities

Atriplex suberecta has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Free-Radical Scavenging, Hepatoprotective.

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine

Hepatoprotective

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine

Medicinal Uses

Atriplex suberecta has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations