Common Orache

Atriplex patula is distinguished by its herbaceous fruiting bracts, which are indistinctly veined and often have dentate margins. It is part of the section Teutliopsis, which includes species with similar bract morphology. The plant has been studied in relation to other Atriplex species, particularly A. elongata and A. prostrata, which were previously misapplied with the name A. hastata. Atriplex patula is a common ruderal species, often found in disturbed soils and cultivated areas. Its wide distribution includes regions such as Greenland, Canada, and various European territories. The species was lectotypified by Taschereau in 1972 based on the original Linnaean description.