Atriplex semibaccata

Atriplex semibaccata, the Australian saltbush, berry saltbush, or creeping saltbush, is native to Australia, commonly found in coastal regions from South Australia[1] all the way up to Cardwell in Queensland. It is a prostrate growing ground cover plant of the family Amaranthaceae that grows to around 180 cm wide, and flowers year round. Leaves small, olive to grey-green. Insignificant flowers, in small clusters in leaf axil. Flowers during summer. Fruit is flattened, diamond-shaped, orange to red.[2] It is tolerant of saline and dry conditions making it commonly used as an animal feed source in poorer agricultural areas: it is grazed by livestock, and birds are fond of its fruits.[3] It is also a good species for erosion control.[3]

Atriplex semibaccata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Atriplex
Species:
A. semibaccata
Binomial name
Atriplex semibaccata

References

  1. "Atriplex semibaccata (Chenopodiaceae) Creeping Saltbush". Seeds of South Australia.
  2. ABC Gardening Australia : flora's native plants : a definitive guide to Australian plants, over 1,800 plants. Ultimo, NSW: ABC Books. 2004. p. 103. ISBN 073331449X.
  3. Heuzé V., Thiollet H., Tran G., 2016. Creeping saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata). Feedipedia, a programme by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/183


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