Atriplex littoralis x Atriplex longipes new to Ireland

 Sometimes luck can be on your side when out plant recording. Only stopped at this site as I wanted to go to the bank in Wexford Town. As you can see in the above picture the beach is not very large. To find a new hybrid to Ireland was a big surprise as I stopped to look for other hybrid Atriplex.

Atriplex littoralis (Grass-leaved Orache) x Atriplex longipes (Long-stalked Orache) would seem to be a very rare hybrid as it is not mentioned in the 'New hybrid' book published last year. The only reference I have been able to find is a specimen in the herbarium at Manchester. The specimens house there are F1 synthesised hybrids by Pierre Taschereau. Could my plant be the first recorded from the wild? Photos were sent to John Akeroyd the BSBI Atriplex Referee who agreed with my ID. Will also send the specimen to John to take a look at.

This was a good place for Atriplex as there were four species: Atriplex glabriuscula (Babington's Orache); Atriplex littoralis (Grass-leaved Orache); Atriplex longipes (Long-stalked Orache); Atriplex prostrata (Spear-leaved Orache). Plus 3 hybrids: Atriplex x taschereaui (A. glabriuscula x longipes); Atriplex glabriuscula x prostrata; Atriplex littoralis x Atriplex longipes.

 Above picture showing hybrid Atriplex by yellow part of boat

 Above, closeup of the hybrid

 Above picture shows a bracteole with a long stalk inherited from A. longipes.

 Above picture showing a leafy bracteole, as often seen in A. longipes.

 Above picture showing two bracteoles with long stalks. Below picture showing the long linear leaves inherited from A. littoralis.