Old man saltbush
Atriplex nummularia
Family: Amaranthaceae
What it is like
A perennial herb. It grows 1-3 m tall. It spreads 2-4 m wide. The branches are whitish. The leaves are furry and silvery white. They are 4 cm long by 4 cm wide. They are flat with teeth along the edge. The flowers are small. The flowers are yellowish-brown. The male flowers are round and in clusters at the end of the plant. The female flowers are in long dense clusters at the ends of plants. Male and female flowers are on separate plants.
There are about 100-300 Atriplex species. They have also been put in the family Chenopodiaceae.
Where it is found
It can grow from temperate to subtropical climates and from semiarid to arid regions. It can tolerate heavy frost. It suits alkaline soils. It can tolerate salty soils. It is drought resistant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), China, Eswatini, India, North America, South Africa, Southern Africa, Southern America, St Helena, Swaziland, Taiwan, USA
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves, seeds
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings. It can be pruned into a hedge.