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.
Ornamental bulbous plant season. Such a climate occurs in Kenya, which has wet conditions in October to December and then again in February to May. Glory-lilies ("Gloriosa") and "Crinum" species are examples of bulbous plants adapted to these conditions. Tropical Asia has similarly adapted bulbous plants, such as species of "Hedychium" (gingers). Plants with fleshy underground parts were probably first used as food. Onions ("Allium cepa") were cultivated in Ancient Egypt. In South America, the potato ("Solanum tuberosum"), oca ("Oxalis tuberosa") and the sweet potato ("Ipomoea batatas") were cultivated for thousands of years. Other parts of bulbous plants were also used in cooking.