Nitraria billardierei – Nitre Bush

This bush food plant is found throughout Australia, primarily in very saline areas, both inland and coastal. Likes clay and loamy soils and is also found in overgrazed areas, so could be useful to regenerate such areas. It is a low spreading shrub, bearing white flowers in spring which then mature into the edible red fruits. These fruits taste apparently like salty grapes, they could make a great and interesting addition to savoury dishes! They can also be dried or made into jams.

Picture provided by Philip Clarke, from his new book Discovering Aboriginal Plant Use: Journeys of an Australian Anthropologist

Family:	Nitrariaceae
Scientific Name:	Nitraria billardierei
Common Name:	Nitre Bush
Other Common Names:	Karrambi, Wild Grape
Plant Type:	Small shrub, Large shrub
Height:	1 ~ 2 metre
Width:	2 ~ 4 metres
Flower Colour:	White
Flowering Time:	Spring
Ph Level:	Neutral
Soil Type:	Clay, Loamy, Clay loam, Saline
Plant Environment:	Low maintenance garden, Container growing, Coastal garden, Drought resistant
Climate Zone:	Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid
Light:	Sunny
Planting Season:	Spring
Growth Habit:	Evergreen, Dense foliage, Spreading
Lifespan:	Perennial
Soil Moisture:	Well-drained
Propagation Method:	Seed
Frost Tolerance:	Tolerates light frost
Special Features:	Edible, Erosion control
Attracts Wildlife:	Seed eating birds

The information provided on the Gardening With Angus website is provided for general educational purposes about a variety of Australian plants. We recommend you seek further advice from qualified professionals regarding your own individual circumstances. Further disclaimer information>>

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

IndigiGrow- Sydney- NSW

Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW

Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW

Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW

Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW

Cool Country Natives – ACT

Geelong Native Plants – Victoria

Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria

Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland

Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland