Orache

Orache (Atriplex), a genus of plants of the natural order Chenopodiaceæ, having male and female flowers on the same plant. The species are numerous and widely spread over the maritime or saline parts of the earth, scarcely any species except the Common Orache (A. patula) being ever found inland or away from saline influence. Five species, including the Garden Orache (A. hortensis), are natives of Britain. Although formerly much cultivated in Britain, orache is now displaced as a pot-herb by spinach (Spinacia oleracea), a species of a closely allied genus. All the species have similar qualities, and may be used as spinach.