Can you indentify this?

I've just been to someone's garden, I asked them what this plant was and he told me it was a type of cabbage. I think he called it purple orax but I can't find that anywhere on the web. Any idea?


[ 03. July 2005, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: fiwi ]

 

I think this may be Atriplex Hortensis (purple orache). A half hardy annual which is edible. My book says that it grows to 1 foot, but I have a feeling that it can reach 4 or 5 feet. I gather it self sows pretty freely. I have never grown it but, whenever I read about it, it is described as a welcome visitor.