Manual of Riyadh Plants

GENERAL

Origin

Mediterranean

Humidity

extremely arid,

very arid, semi-

arid

Propagation :

direct sowing

Maintenance :

low

CONDITIONS

Urban climate :

resistant

Dessication :

resistant

Stagnant water :

vulnerable

Irrigation

none, low

Salinity/ppm :

very high (30000

ppm)

Hardiness

-6°C

SHAPE

Type

sub-shrub

Height

0.5 m

Spread

1 m

Foliage

evergreen

FLOWER

Colour

pale green

Period

April - April

FRUIT

Type of fruit :

capsule

Fruit size

0.6 cm

There are some ten species of Atriplex growing presently in Saudi Arabia: seven are native

(Atriplex coriacea, A. dimorphostegia, A. farinosa, A. glauca, A. halimus, A. leucoclada and A.

tatarica), and three have been introduced and cultivated (A. canescens, A. semibaccata and A.

suberecta). Atriplex is a halophytic plant which has developed various strategies to adapt to saline

environments with excessively high salt content in the soil. Originating in the Mediterranean

basin, A. leucoclada, known in Arabic as raghal, is a low perennial shrub with upright grey

stems and triangular leaves and densely clustered, bell-shaped flowers and fruits, which appear

on spikes in spring. The shrub grows in many different habitats, but it usually occurs on sabkah,

coastal and inland salt marshes with a high accumulation of salts, and occasionally on silty soils.

Frost-tolerant with a medium growth rate, the species is polymorphic, meaning that the shape

and size of its leaves may vary according to season and habitat. A. leucoclada is an important

species for agricultural use in arid regions. Atriplex species can be planted for soil desalination,

and CO

sequestration. Studies have shown that Atriplex is able to survive sodium chloride

salinity up to more than 100% of seawater salinity, indicating that A. leucoclada can be grown

productively at moderate salinity. It is a useful plant for desert and extensive landscape schemes

as a groundcover, occasionally requiring watering and maintenance to improve its appearance.

Atriplex leucoclada,

Chenopodiaceae

Saltbush,

Orache, raghal