Family:

Chenopodiaceae

Atriplex semibaccata

Creeping Saltbush

Other Names: Berry Saltbush

Regional Subspecies:

Occurrence:

Regional:

Mainly west of the Olympic Highway.

Habitat & Site Selection:

Widespread in drier country. Extremely hardy. Tolerates drought and salt.

Habit:

Prostrate, perennial, small shrub or groundcover with conspicuous red fruits. Forms dense mats.

Similar Species:

Frequently hybridises with Spiny-fruit Saltbush (A. spinibractea).

Seed Collection:

Early Jan to mid Feb. Monitor closely as mature seeds shed in 3-14 days. Gather from canvas sheet beneath plants or use portable vacuum cleaner.

Propagation:

From seed or cuttings.

VALUES:

Land Protection:

Useful for colonising bare areas, scalds, eroding and saline sites. Useful firebreak. 

Wildlife:

Good habitat. Small native birds and ants eat berries.

Ornamental:

Useful groundcover for gardens beneath other plants, cascading over rocks or walls, on slopes, embankments or road median strips.

Other:

Forage for dry areas. Perhaps most readily grazed saltbush, as source of dietary variety or major dietary component.