Mealy Saltbush
Rhagodia parabolica
Family: Chenopodiaceae
What it is like
Rhagodia parabolica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 3
Where it is found
Not known
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves - cooked. A salty flavour, the leaves contain up to a third by weight of salt. The salt can be removed by briefly boiling the leaves in a couple of changes of water. The leaves are tender and palatable after 1 hours boiling.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though it is unlikely to succeed outside the very mildest areas of the country. Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within a week, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist