Atriplex saccaria aka Sack Saltbush

Atriplex saccaria, known as sack saltbush, is a small annual herb. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae, the amaranth family. Kew places its native range in the west-central United States. It grows in the temperate zone. Habitat records include saltbush, shadscale, greasewood, and pinyon-juniper plant communities. These sites have fine-textured soils that contain salts. Records place it at elevations of about 3,610–7,220 feet [1,100–2,200 metres].

This slender plant forms branching tufts rather than woody shrubs. PFAF gives its height as about 1 foot [0.3 metres]. Its cultivation notes give a wider range of 0.7–2 feet [0.2–0.6 metres]. Leaf growth takes place during the warm season. Flowers appear from late summer into autumn. Each plant carries separate male and female flowers. Wind moves pollen between the flowers. Inflated bractlets surround the small fruits, which are called utricles. These swollen coverings give sack saltbush its common name.

Grow it in full sun, since it does not tolerate shade. It suits sandy or loamy soil with good drainage. It can grow in poor soil and withstand drought. Its soil tolerance spans mildly acid to very alkaline conditions. It also grows in saline ground. Dry to moist soil suits it, but avoid excess water. PFAF lists USDA zones 5–9 and UK hardiness zone 6. Its notes link the USDA range with reseeding. Kew and PFAF's main description both class it as annual.

PFAF lists cultivated beds as a place to grow it. Its tolerance of salt and poor soil may suit difficult sites. The cultivation notes describe low to moderate weed potential. They suggest it stays close to patches of salty soil. Sow seed shallowly in autumn or early spring. PFAF suggests soaking seed for 12–24 hours before sowing. This helps remove salts. The supplied evidence gives no specific pest or disease problems.

Cooked leaves and young plants serve as salty greens. PFAF records the Hopi use of boiled leaves. Cooked seeds can form meal for bread or act as a thickener. The source advises boiling leaves and eating moderate amounts. It flags salt and oxalate levels as concerns. It also warns that artificial fertilizers can raise leaf nitrate levels. This means edible use does not establish safety under all conditions. PFAF records no known medicinal uses or other nonfood uses.