Atriplex are C-plants, with a characteristic leaf anatomy (kranz anatomy). The genus "Atriplex" is distributed nearly worldwide from subtropical to temperate and to subarctic regions. Most species-rich are Australia, North America, South America and Eurasia. Many species are halophytes and are adapted to dry environments with salty soils. The genus evolved in Middle Miocene, the C-photosynthesis pathway developed about 14.1-10.9 million years ago, when the climate became increasingly dry. The genus diversified rapidly and spread over the continents. The C"Atriplex" colonized North America probably from Eurasia during the Middle/Late Miocene, about 9.8-8.8 million years ago, and later spread to South America.
Tasmanian cushion plants otherwise inhibit such productivity. This substantially extends the growing season. In addition, a combination of the insulating properties of past growth under the surface of the cushion plants and the peaty soils in which they grow prevents temperatures around the roots dropping below -1 °C, which stops the roots from freezing (Gibson, 1988). Surrounding plants species have adapted to not only benefit, but rely on these conditions the cushion plants provide in order to survive and grow, and are restricted to habitats in which cushions are present. Three Tasmanian cushion plant species are listed as "under threat":: "Veronica ciliolata" (subspecies