|
General
Atriplex holocarpa F.Muell.
Chenopodiaceae
Life form: Annual
En: Pop Saltbush, Orache, Fr: Atriplex holocarpa
Provenance: Australia
Distribution in Israel
The pop saltbush is found in the arid part of the country, in
the northern Negev, the Dead Sea region and in the Arava valley.
Although its distribution is usually restricted to roadsides
it can form dense stands. The presence of Atriplex holocarpa
near the Dead Sea shores is not surprising as this herb is known
for its ability to grow in saline swamps and flats, or in salt
lakes.
Proliferation status
According to terminology suggested by Richardson et al.
(2000) Atriplex holocarpa is an 'invasive' alien in the
region considered.
Atriplex holocarpa in Israel
The pop saltbush was introduced into Israel from Australia in
the 1950s. According to some authors it was imported as an ornamental
species whereas others claim that the saltbush was introduced
for forage improvement purposes (other Australian Atriplex
species were introduced into Israel for that goal, e.g. Atriplex
nummularia Lindley). Since its introduction it has spread
to disturbed habitats such as roadsides. It is now found also
in undisturbed habitats, for instance in the Dead Sea valley.
Although the proliferation of this herb has not drawn much attention
compared with ligneous invasives, it has spread over a relatively
large area during the past 50 years.
Control
So far no information relating to the control of Atriplex
holocarpa has been found.
References
Dafni A. & Heller D. (1990) Invasions of adventive plants
in Israel. In: Di Castri F., Hansen A.J. & Debussche M. (Eds.)
Biological invasions in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Kluwer,
p.463. pp.135-160. |
