Spear-leaved and grass-leaved orache

Description: Spear-leaved orache is fairly common along the coast on seaweed banks and on damp coastal meadows. The plant needs plenty of nutrients. These are released in large amounts when seaweed and kelp break down. That is why seaweed banks are a good place for the plant to grow. The leaves are somewhat spear-shaped, triangular with toothed edges. The flowers are small and greenish and may not look like flowers at first glance, but rather like small buds sitting together at the tip of the stem. Some birds eat seeds from spear-leaved orache. Use: Related to spinach, and can be used in the same way. It contains iron, phosphorus and calcium. Fat-hen has been an important food plant down through the ages. You can use it in salad, boiled or as a stew with a little butter. Habitat type: Coast Edible: Yes Written by: Lærke Stewart, Eteutehilde

Grass-leaved and spear-leaved orache. Photo Hilde Grøtte

Text: Hilde Grøtte and Lærke Søndergaard Stewart

Source: Hjelmstad, R. (2012). Medisinplanter i Norge. Gyldendal Norsk Forlag AS