|
THORNY SALTBUSH FACTS |
Map is from The Atlas of Living Australia web site, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License
Common Name
Thorny Saltbush
Other Names
Creeping Saltbush, Hedge Saltbush, Berry Saltbush
Description
The Thorny Saltbush is perennial shrub, with rigid branches to 1.5 m high, the older branchlets often ending in a spine. Leaves mealy-white or greenish, 5 - 10 mm long, oblong to almost round, sometimes lobed at base, tapering into a conspicuous stalk.
Flowers in spikes or short panicles. Fruit a deep-red berry, 4-6 mm diameter. Flowering most of the year, but mainly in spring - summer.
Habitat
A wide range of soils, more frequent on loams and clay loams but also common on heavy clays. Usually in association with other low shrubs, or as an understorey in numerous woodland communities.
Distribution
Native to inland parts of Australia: South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory,
Growth Characteristics
Height (m): 0.5
Spread (m): 2 - 3
Soil Texture: sand, loam, clay, limestone
Soil pH: acid soils, neutral soils, alkaliine soils
Frost Sensitivity: resistant
Minimum Rainfall (mm): 300
Flower Colour: insignificant
Flower Season: autumn, winter
(source: SA State Flora Catalog)
Classification
| Class: | Magnoliopsida | | Order: | Caryophyllales | | Family: | Amaranthaceae | | Genus: | Rhagodia | | Species: | spinescens | | Common Name: | Thorny Saltbush |
Relatives in same Genus
Rhagodia candolleana
|
|
