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.