Atriplex halimus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atriplex halimus |
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Atriplex
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halimus
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Atriplex halimus is a special type of shrub that grows in many places. It is also known by common names like Mediterranean saltbush, sea orache, shrubby orache, or silvery orache. This plant is part of the Amaranthaceae family and is often used as fodder (food for animals).
Contents
What is Mediterranean Saltbush?
This plant has small, gray leaves. They are about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long. It looks a bit like another plant called Chenopodium berlandieri.
Where Does it Grow?
You can find Atriplex halimus all around the Mediterranean Sea. It also grows in North Africa, East Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. It likes dry, sunny places.
Animals and the Saltbush
The leaves of Atriplex halimus are a main food for a small animal called the sand rat (Psammomys obesus). This shows how important the plant is to its local environment.
How People Use This Plant
The leaves of Atriplex halimus are safe for people to eat. Studies have also shown that parts of the leaves might help lower blood sugar levels.
Saltbush in Farming
This plant is very useful in agriculture (farming). Farmers often grow it as forage for their animals. This is because Atriplex halimus can handle very tough conditions. It can grow well even when there is little water (drought). It also thrives in very alkaline or salty soils where other plants might struggle.
Growing Atriplex halimus can also help improve land that is not in good condition. It adds plant material (biomass) to the soil. This helps make the land healthier and more useful.
Saltbush in Ancient Times
People have known about and used Atriplex halimus for a very long time.
In Jewish Tradition
According to old Jewish stories, the leaves of Atriplex halimus are called maluaḥ in ancient Hebrew. The Bible mentions that poor people ate these leaves. This happened when they returned from being held captive in Babylon around 352 BCE. They ate the leaves while working to build the Second Temple. Other ancient Hebrew writings call this plant faʻfōʻīn.
In Ancient Greece
An ancient Greek writer named Antiphanes also wrote about a plant called halimon. He mentioned that people would look for it in dry riverbeds. This plant was likely Atriplex halimus.
See also
In Spanish: Orgaza para niños
