Orache, Frosted

Information on Frosted Orache

Common Name: Frosted Orache
Scientific Name: Atriplex laciniata
Irish Name: Eilifleog phlúrach
Family Group: Chenopodiaceae
Distribution: View Map (Courtesy of the BSBI)
Flowering Period


Click for list of all flowering by month
Frosted Orache could sometimes be confused with:

Orache, Spear-leaved,

This is a silvery-leaved annual which sprawls in low-growing patches across coastal beaches and dunes, usually above the high-tide mark.  Its diamond-shaped leaves taper at the base, are mealy – giving the common name 'frosted' -  and these leaves are borne on reddish stems.  It has tiny yellow-green flowers in clusters at leaf axils.  They are commonly seen from July to September but easily overlooked as they are so small. This plant is extremely tolerant of salt conditions, is a native plant and it belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae

I first recorded this wildflower in 2006 on Blackhall Strand, Co Wexford and I photographed it at that time. 

If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre

Orache, Frosted
Orache, Frosted
Orache, Frosted
Orache, Frosted