Coastal saltbush, Seaberry saltbush
Rhagodia candolleana

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A weak sprawling shrub. It grows 1-2.5 m high. Sometimes it climbs over other shrubs. The leaves are narrow and oval. They are 10-25 mm long. They can be leathery or slightly fleshy. They are grey and scaly underneath. The leaves narrow into a short leaf stalk. The flowers are small and greenish-white. They are in clusters shaped like a pyramid. The fruit are red and fleshy and berry-like. They are 5 mm across. They are edible.

Also put in the family Chenopodiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. They grow on sand dunes, limestone cliffs and in salt marshes. They are salt tolerant. It is often on the seaward side of the dunes. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), South Africa, Southern Africa, Tasmania (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are edible. They can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be bitter. The leaves are eaten cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bullagai

Synonyms

Candollea baccata (Labill.) Moq.; Chenopodium baccatum Labill.; Rhagodia baccata;