Atriplex acadiensis Taschereau. Subgenus: Atriplex. Section: Teutliopsis. Maritime Orach. Hab: Beaches, strands, and salt marshes, in saline and brackish habitats. Dist: N.B., N.S., P.E.I. s. to ME, NH, RI, MA(?), CT(?), and NY(?).

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: There seems to be some conflict among authorities in regards to the distinctiveness and distribution of this taxon and A. glabriuscula s.s.; it has also been sometimes confused with A. patula, morphologically. Haines (2010) and Welsh (2003) both recognize A. acadiensis as distinct from A. glabriuscula (the latter of which at varietal level), but Haines lists A. acadiensis as restricted to extreme northeastern US and Canada (apparently only Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island in New England), which is similar, but not identical, to Welsh (2003), who only reports it from Mass. and Maine. Both of these authorities conflict with Kartesz (1999; 2010), who places A. acadiensis well south to Staten Island, NY. Werier (2017), perhaps the ultimate authority on NY distributions, only reports A. glabriuscula from New York State. Interestingly, Weakley, Ludwig, and Townsend (2012) describe two specimens from Saltville, Smyth County, VA (inland salt marshes) as best matching both taxa, but then defer to a broader A. glabriuscula, pending further research. While there seems to be more evidence for excluding A. acadiensis from our flora region, we maintain its presence as questionable until more specimens can be confirmed.

Synonymy: = K3, K4, NE; = Atriplex glabriuscula Edmondston var. acadiensis – FNA4; < Atriplex glabriuscula Edmondston; < Atriplex patula L. – C

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Great Plains: FACW (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Midwest: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Midwest: FACW (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACW (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily: 9