22. Old-man Saltbush

Atriplex nummularia

NON-INDIGENOUS USE:

Hedges, windbreaks, firebreaks, grazing. Land rehabilitation.

INDIGENOUS USE:

seeds used as a condiment. Medicinal when mixed with other plants, used on all open wounds or ulcerated infections.

DESCRIPTION:

A large grey woody shrub growing to 3m high, 4m wide. Mostly grows in low lying clay soils but can grow just about anywhere. Drought resistant but can tolerate shallow flooding.

BARK:

A thin reddish bark covers a resinous stem.

LEAVES:

Stalked and roundly ovate, 10-25mm long.

FLOWERS:

Spring and early summer in groups at the end of the branch and the fruit fan shaped growing to about 8mm round.