Atriplex argentea explained

Atriplex argentea is a species of saltbush known by the common names silverscale saltbush and silver orache.[1] [2] It is native to western North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico, where it grows in many types of habitat, generally on saline soils.[2] [3]

Description

Atriplex argentea is an annual herb producing branching stems which spread out low to the ground or reach erect to maximum heights approaching 80 centimeters.[3] The leaves are triangular to roughly oval in shape and 1 to 4 centimeters long.[3] The stems and leaves are coated in gray scales.[2] [3]

The inflorescences are rough clusters of tiny flowers, with male and female flowers in separate clusters.[2]

Uses

Among the Zuni people, a poultice of chewed root is applied to sores and rashes. An infusion of the root is also taken for stomachache.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ATAR2 USDA Plants Profile: Atriplex argentea
  2. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415533 Flora of North America
  3. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3084,3089,3090 Jepson Manual Treatment - Atriplex argentea
  4. Camazine, Scott and Robert A. Bye 1980 A Study Of The Medical Ethnobotany Of The Zuni Indians of New Mexico. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2:365-388, p.384