genus of herbs and shrubs in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), containing about 300 species, often found on saline soils throughout temperate and subtropical areas of the world. Saltbush and orach are common names for the group. The leaves of many species often are white and look scurfy or mealy. Several species are salt-tolerant shrubs of western North America, especially four-wing saltbush, or chamiso (A. canescens), and spiny saltbush (A. confertifolia). Young leaves of the orach (A. hortensis), or garden orach, are eaten.