Atriplex cinerea – Coastal Saltbush
A great bush tucker plant, with grey foliage that is used as an ingredient for savoury dishes, plus is a useful stock feed on farms as it is highly tolerant of saline conditions and . A medium sized shrub growing from 1-1.8 metres high, and 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide, it naturally grows in very coastal areas from NSW it is able to grow on quite alkaline soils, and is a very useful plant to rehabilitate degraded areas, to stabilise soils and erosion areas. Able to withstand quite windy conditions, so can create shelter while other plants establish. The stems can become woody with age, regular pruning will help to create more dense growth. Atriplex cinerea is monodioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants.
In cooking, the leaves can be used for their salty, herby flavour for stir fries and casseroles, to add to stuffings, salt rub mixes, and marinades. They can also be cooked like spinach.
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Scientific Name: | Atriplex cinerea |
| Common Name: | Saltbush |
| Other Common Names: | Coastal saltbush |
| Plant Type: | Small shrub, Large shrub |
| Height: | 1 ~ 2 metre |
| Width: | 1 ~ 2 metre |
| Flower Colour: | Cream |
| Flowering Time: | Spring, Autumn |
| Ph Level: | Neutral, Alkaline |
| Soil Type: | Loamy, Sandy loam, Saline, Poor soil |
| Plant Environment: | Coastal garden, Drought resistant |
| Climate Zone: | Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid |
| Light: | Sunny, Light shade, Half shade |
| Growth Habit: | Open foliage, Spreading |
| Lifespan: | Perennial |
| Soil Moisture: | Dry, Well-drained |
| Propagation Method: | Seed, Softwood cutting, Semihardwood cutting |
| Frost Tolerance: | Tolerates light frost |
| Plant Usage: | Windbreak |
| Special Features: | Edible, Erosion control |
| Attracts Wildlife: | Butterflies, Other insects |
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WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT
Once you have found the plant that looks right for you, the next step is where to buy it.
Most nurseries stock a good range of plants, but due to space and supplies, they may not always have the plant that you are searching for in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you if you request it.
Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you have planned on, they can often suggest alternatives that will also work well for you.
Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries. Click on the links for their details-
The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW
Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW
Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW
Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW
Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Geelong Native Plants – Victoria
Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria
Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland
Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland
Manuka Native Nursery – South Australia
MAIL ORDER NURSERIES –
Angus recommends Bush Tucker fertiliser for native plants.