Atriplex vesicaria
Heward ex Benth.
Bladder saltbush
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Summary
Source: WikipediaAtriplex vesicaria, commonly known as bladder saltbush, is a species of flowering plant of the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to arid and semi-arid inland regions of Australia. It is an upright or sprawling shrub with scaly leaves and separate male and female plants, the fruit often with a bladder-like appendage.
Description
A small shrub. It grows 0.5-1 m high and spreads 1-2 m across. The branches are erect. The leaves are 1-3 cm long by 2 cm wide. The base tapers to the stalk. There are small teeth along the edge. The leaves are silvery grey. The flowers are small. The male flowers are in dense clusters 2.5 cm long. The female flowers are in clusters in the axils of the lower leaves. The fruit is bladder like. It is 1.5 cm wide. There is a hard nut inside.
Edible Uses
The seeds and leaves are eaten.
Traditional Uses
CAUTION: It contains saponins.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Known Hazards
Contains saponins.
Distribution
It grows in inland Australia. It will grow in heavy alkaline soils. It can tolerate frost and drought. It will grow in salty soils. It can grow in arid places.
Where It Grows
Africa, Australia*, India, Israel, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Tunisia,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings.
Notes
There are about 100-300 Atriplex species. They have also been put in the family Chenopodiaceae.
Synonyms
References (10)
- Cancilla, D., 2018, Ethnobotanical and Ethnozoological Values Desktop Assessment - Eliwana Project. p 38
- Bindon, P., 1996, Useful Bush Plants. Western Australian Museum. p 46
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 119
- Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 258
- Fl. austral. 5:172. 1870
Show all 10 references Hide references
- Flora of Australia, Volume 4, Phytolaccaceae to Chenopodiaceae, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra (1984) p 122, 93
- Hall, N. et al, 1972, The Use of Trees and Shrubs in the Dry Country of Australia, AGPS, Canberra. p 284
- Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 29
- Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 201
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1999). Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) database. Published on the Internet; http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal/internet [Accessed 8th April 2011]
