Family Index

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Scientific Name

Atriplex australasica

Family Name

CHENOPODIACEAE

Common Name

Southern Saltbush

Status

Height

40cm

Flowers

Spike-like, or in clusters in the leaf axils.

Fruit

Form

Annual shrub with triangular lower leaves and egg-shaped upper leaves, to 5cm long. The leaf stalk can be up to 2cm long.

Municipalities

King Island

Communities

Habitat Notes

Coastal.

Site Tolerance

Frost Tolerance

Soil Tolerance

General Notes

Seed is easy to collect and usually has good results, but viability is variable. 2-3 seeds can be sown directly into pots. Possibly introduced. Suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Brown seeds germinate easily, but black seeds only germinate after 3-6 years storage.

Seed Treatment Method

Leaching

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Seed can be sown while still in the fruit, as long as the fruits are rubbed under running water for several minutes or soaked in water for eight hours, and the water changes 2 or 3 times. This removes the salt which inhibits germination.

Germination Time

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Yes

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Yes

Cutting Notes

Easily propagated from cuttings.