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small saltbush

Scientific Name: Atriplex eardleyae

Family: Chenopodiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Chenopodium nutans (Climbing or Nodding Saltbush)

Chenopodium nutans, commonly known as climbing or nodding saltbush, is a plant native to Australia. Other species are in South America and Eurasia.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that fwing saltbush is a "preferred browse" for rabbits and other small mammals, indicating it is palatable to some animals.
  • Some species of saltbush may produce "very sweet, yellow and red berries," which, due to their small size, could be tempting for pets or children to ingest.

Considerations for Children

  • Some species of saltbush may produce "very sweet, yellow and red berries," which, due to their small size, could be tempting for children or pets to ingest.
  • The text mentions saltbush leaves sometimes have "serrated on the edges".

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Chenopodium nutans
  • Common Names: Climbing Saltbush, Nodding Saltbush, All-scale, Alkali Saltbush, Common Saltbush, Cattle Spinach
  • Family: CHENOPODIACEAE (implied from "Einadia hastata (CHENOPODIACEAE) Berry Saltbush")
  • Synonyms and Related Species:
    • Atriplex lehmanniana
    • Atriplex eardleyae (Small Saltbush)
    • Atriplex nummularia (Oldman Saltbush)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Australia, particularly the desert plains of western regions with dry, salty soils.
  • Also found in South America and Eurasia (other species mentioned).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • A hardy Australian native plant, described as a small spreading shrub.
  • Leaves are semi-succulent.
  • Stems and leaves are covered with small white scales called scurf.
  • Leaves are simple, usually triangular-shaped, small, serrated on the edges, and alternately or rarely oppositely arranged on the stem.
  • Flowers in the fall.
  • F-wing saltbush has a seed with a "f paperlike."
  • Five sepals are fused into a small cup, from which the five stamens arise.
  • Einadia hastata (Berry Saltbush) has small yellow flowers and small red berries with small black seeds.

Quirky Facts

  • The name "saltbush" comes from the plant's ability to retain salt in its leaves.
  • F-wing saltbush gets its name from its seed shape.

Ecological Role

  • Fwing saltbush is a preferred browse for many rabbits, sage grouse, and other upland birds, songbirds, and small mammals.

Additional Information

  • Reference is made to "Plant NET Flora Online" and "FloraBase - the Western Australian Flora" as online resources.
  • Mentioned in the context of stock feed and regional development projects.