Atriplex hortensis

Orach, red - Native to the Alps, formerly called “mountain spinach”, an annual species growing to 6’ at maturity, used as warm weather salad greens with spinach-like qualities. Cut as young seedlings or pick leaves as plant matures. Best salad quality comes from first 18” of growth. Mature plant is highly ornamental as seed bracts appear and enlarge in the same color as the leaves. A good late summer pollen source for syrphid flies to help protect autumn crops from aphids.