Atriplex nummularia

male flowers

farm grown fodder planting

Old Man Saltbush

Atriplex nummularia Lindl.

Atriplex nummularia, commonly called Old Man Saltbush, is a member of the saltbush family, Chenopodiaceae. There are over 250 species in the Atriplex genus, mostly in sub-tropical and temperate regions of the world. About 61 species occur in Australia. A. nummularia is widespread in the inland semi-arid and arid regions of mainland Australia. It is usually, but not always, found on saline, clay soils in low lying areas like flood plains. However, it is very adaptable and can occur on most soils.

The largest of the Australian saltbushes A. nummularia can grow to 3m high and 2–4m wide. Its leaves, 1–3cm long, have a scaly coating which gives them an attractive silvery grey colour. The shape of the leaves may vary considerably from elliptical to almost circular, both on the same plant and in different populations of the species.

Throughout the year, A. nummularia produces very small flowers which are wind pollinated. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The female flowers are in dense clusters along panicles about 20 cm long and the male flowers are in disjunct globules at the ends of branches. After fertilisation, leafy bracts of the female flower become enlarged and surround the developing seed. These fruiting bracteoles are attached only at the base and are approximately 1cm wide in the shape of a fan.

A.nummularia can be propagated by cuttings or seed. Propagation by seed is usually done by sowing the fruiting bracteoles. Germination rates are increased by rubbing the fruits with the hands under running water for several minutes or soaking them in water for at least an hour. The fruits can then be sown directly into the soil or first placed into a Viro-cell for sowing. The best times to sow seed are in autumn, early winter and spring.

Alternatively, cuttings of A.nummularia can placed into a mixture of sand and potting mix, making sure that there is plenty of ventilation and that mist is avoided to prevent the development of a leaf spotting fungus.

In some areas, the red legged earth mite has been known to infest A.nummularia, causing malformation of new shoots. A.nummularia may also be attacked sporadically by a native saltbush scale which is normally controlled by natural enemies.

On the whole, A. nummularia is very adaptable and can tolerate severe droughts as well as periodic flooding. It is frost and salt tolerant. A. nummularia also recovers well after intense defoliation, making the plant very suitable for pruning. It will tolerate most soils but is best grown in a well drained position which is sunny for most of the day.

Atriplex nummularia is an extremely versatile plant that has frequently been used as a fodder plant for cattle and sheep and is often planted near property homesteads as a shelter. It provides a useful windbreak which, along with readily visible leaves at night, makes it suitable for roadside plantings. The ornamental foliage can be pruned to make hedges and provides an attractive silvery contrast against darker plants in the garden.

Text by Catherine Viney (2007 Botanical Intern)

References

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Wilson, P.G. 1984. Chenopodiaceae. In George, A.S. (ed.) Flora of Australia. Volume 4. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Wrigley, J.W. and Fagg, M. 2003. Australian native plants. Cultivation, use in landscaping and Propagation. Fifth edition. Reed New Holland ( Australia) Pty. Ltd., Frenchs Forest.

http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/pageN.html

http://www.seedsandplantsaustralia.com.au/

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