Oblongleaf Orache: The Uninvited Garden Guest You Should Know About
Have you ever noticed a rather unremarkable, grayish-green plant popping up in disturbed areas of your garden or local landscape? There’s a good chance you’ve encountered oblongleaf orache (Atriplex oblongifolia), a humble annual that’s made itself at home across parts of North America, despite not being a native resident.
What Exactly Is Oblongleaf Orache?
Oblongleaf orache is an annual plant that belongs to the goosefoot family. This unassuming little herb rarely wins any beauty contests, but it’s surprisingly hardy and adaptable. As its name suggests, it sports oblong-shaped leaves that give it a distinctive appearance once you know what to look for.
Where You’ll Find It
This plant has established itself across several regions in North America, including Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Montana, South Dakota, and Washington. Originally hailing from Eurasia, oblongleaf orache is considered non-native throughout its North American range, though it reproduces and persists on its own without human intervention.
Should You Grow Oblongleaf Orache?
Here’s the honest truth: oblongleaf orache isn’t really a plant you’d choose to grow. While it’s not considered invasive or particularly harmful, it doesn’t offer much in terms of garden appeal or ecological benefits. Think of it more as that acquaintance who shows up uninvited but doesn’t cause any real trouble.
What It Looks Like
Oblongleaf orache is a modest annual that typically grows as a small, branching herb. Its leaves are indeed oblong (hence the name!), and the plant produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers that are more functional than beautiful. The overall appearance is rather weedy and unremarkable – definitely not the star of any garden show.
Growing Conditions
If you do encounter this plant, you’ll likely find it in:
- Disturbed soils
- Areas with some salt tolerance
- Full sun locations
- Places where other plants struggle to establish
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of oblongleaf orache, consider these fantastic native alternatives that offer real garden value:
- Native saltbush species (Atriplex species native to your region)
- Lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album) – though also weedy, it’s more useful
- Regional native wildflowers suited to disturbed or saline conditions
The Bottom Line
Oblongleaf orache falls into that meh category of plants – not harmful enough to wage war against, but not beneficial enough to actively encourage. If it shows up in your garden, you can simply pull it out or leave it be, knowing it won’t stick around beyond the growing season anyway.
Your garden ecosystem will benefit much more from intentionally chosen native plants that support local wildlife and add genuine beauty to your landscape. Save your gardening energy for plants that truly deserve a spot in your outdoor space!
