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Summary
Many species from the genus Atriplex have edible leaves. The common name derives from their ability to retain salt in the leaves, giving them a pleasant salty taste. They can grow in areas with high soil salination. Grey Saltbush fruit and leaves are edible and are grazed by livestock. The fruit is popular with birds. The fruit is eaten as a snack or can be added to salads. The young leaves are eaten raw or steamed. They are often boiled to remove excess salt. Saltbush can be harvested for forage throughout the growing season, typically in late spring to early autumn. Harvest lightly in winter when growth is slow. They make an exciting salad addition. When lightly steamed, the leaves retain their crispness and are a delicious spinach substitute. The salty flavour is present when growing inland in non-salty soils. The seed is edible but fiddly to use. Grind the seed into a powder, mix it with cereals, and use it in making cakes.
Physical Characteristics
Atriplex cinerea is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
A. cinerea subsp. eucinerea Aellen. A. cinerea var. typica Aellen. Neopreissia cinerea (Poir.) Ulbr. Obione cinerea (Poir.) G.L.Chu. Accepted Infraspecifics A. cinerea subsp. cinerea. A. cinerea var. adamsonii Aellen. A. cinerea subsp. bolusii (C.H.Wright) Aellen [2-5].
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
The fruit and leaves are edible and are grazed by livestock. The fruit is popular with birds. The fruit is eaten as a snack or can be added to salads. The young leaves are eaten raw or steamed. They are often boiled to remove excess salt. Saltbush can be harvested for forage throughout the growing season, typically in late spring to early autumn. Saltbush leaves are available all year and can be eaten raw or cooked. Harvest lightly in winter when growth is slow. They make an exciting salad addition. When lightly steamed, the leaves retain their crispness and are a delicious spinach substitute. The salty flavour is present when growing inland in non-salty soils. The seed is edible but fiddly to use. Grind the seed into a powder, mix it with cereals, and use it in making cakes.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None Known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Agroforestry uses: Saltbush is often used for erosion control, as a windbreak, and for soil stabilisation. Its high salt tolerance makes it suitable for saline soils, and it can be used as forage for livestock. Commonly planted for erosion control, windbreaks, and revegetation of degraded or saline soils. Its silvery foliage makes it a popular ornamental in coastal landscapes. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: No – Saltbush is wind-pollinated, so it doesn’t produce nectar-rich flowers to attract pollinators. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Saltbush provides food for wildlife through its seeds and foliage. It is an important food source for herbivores like birds and small mammals. The dense, bushy form provides shelter and cover for nesting birds and other small animals. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): The dense, shrubby growth of Saltbush offers good ground cover for invertebrates, and the fallen leaves can serve as shelter and overwintering sites for beneficial insects. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Saltbush does not have a strong aromatic smell that repels pests, so it is not typically used as a pest confuser. Saltbush generally flowers in late summer to early autumn, depending on the specific species and growing conditions.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Soil Texture: Thrives in light (sandy), medium, and even heavy (clay) soils, provided they are well-drained. Soil Moisture: Prefers dry to moderately moist soils. Highly drought-tolerant and does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Drainage: Requires well-drained soil for healthy growth. Soil pH: Tolerates various soil pH levels, including acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils. Saline Tolerance: Highly tolerant of saline conditions, ideal for coastal and salt-affected areas. Tolerance of Poor Soil: It thrives in poor, nutrient-deficient soils, particularly in arid and saline environments. Light Requirements: Requires full sun for optimal growth. It does not tolerate heavy shade. Height: Grows to about 1–3 meters (3–10 feet) tall, depending on conditions. Pollination: Primarily wind-pollinated, though some insects may visit its small, inconspicuous flowers. Temperature: Hardy in coastal regions and arid zones, suitable for USDA zones 9–11. Drought Tolerance: Exceptionally drought-tolerant, making it a key plant for xeriscaping and erosion control. Habitat: Native to coastal dunes and salt marshes in Australia, it is adapted to salty winds and poor, sandy soils. Pests and Diseases: Generally pest-free and highly resilient. However, it may experience some leaf drop in excessively wet conditions. The native range of this species is W. & S. Australia, Lord Howe Island. It is a shrub and grows primarily in the subtropical biome. Introduced into New Zealand North New Zealand South [2-5]. While Atriplex cinerea can withstand mild frost, it may not survive prolonged or severe frosts, particularly if temperatures drop significantly below freezing.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
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Plant Propagation
Grows easily from seeds or cuttings. Saltbush species are typically slow to moderate in growth but can establish well in poor soils.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Coastal Saltbush. Barilla. Truganini.
Native Range
Native to: Cape Provinces, Free State, Lesotho, Namibia, New South Wales, Norfolk Is., South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
None Known
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not Available
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Atriplex argentea | Silvery Orach, Silverscale saltbush, Stalked saltbush | Annual | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LM | N | M | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Atriplex argentea expansa | Silverscale Saltbush | Annual | 0.6 |
-
| | LM | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex californica | California Orach, California saltbush | Perennial | 0.1 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | |
| Atriplex canescens | Grey Sage Brush, Fourwing saltbush | Shrub | 1.8 |
6-9
| | LM | N | DM | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Atriplex carnosa | Thickleaf Orach | Annual | 0.9 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex confertifolia | Shadscale, Shadscale saltbush | Shrub | 1.8 |
6-9
| | LM | N | DM | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Atriplex coronata | Crownscale | Annual | 0.4 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex dimorphostegia | | Annual | 0.2 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex elegans | Wheelscale Saltbush | Annual | 0.2 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Atriplex glabriuscula | Scotland orache, Maritime saltbush, Frankton's saltbush, Northeastern saltbush | Annual | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex gmelinii | Gmelin's saltbush | Annual | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex halimus | Sea Orach, Saltbush | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-10
| M | LM | N | DM | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Atriplex hastata | Hastate Orach | Annual | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Atriplex hortensis | Orach, Garden orache | Annual | 1.8 |
5-9
| F | LM | N | M | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Atriplex lapathifolia | | Annual | 0.9 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | |
| Atriplex lentiformis | Quail Bush, Big saltbush, Quailbush, | Shrub | 3.0 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Atriplex littoralis | Grassleaf orache | Biennial | 0.7 |
4-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Atriplex maximowicziana | Maximowicz's saltbush | Perennial | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex mucronata | | Annual | 0.4 |
-
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex nummularia | Giant Saltbush, Bluegreen saltbush | Shrub | 3.5 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Atriplex nuttallii | Nuttall's Saltbush | Shrub | 0.9 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Atriplex patula | Spreading Orach, Spear saltbush | Annual | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 1 | |
| Atriplex powellii | Powell's Saltweed | Annual | 1.5 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex saccaria | Sack Saltbush | Annual | 0.3 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex semibaccata | Australian Saltbush. Australian saltbush, Creeping saltbush | Shrub | 0.5 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Atriplex serenana | Bractscale, Davidson's bractscale | Annual | 3.0 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex subcordata | | Annual | 0.5 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex tatarica | Tatarian orache | Annual | 1.5 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Atriplex truncata | Wedgescale Saltbush | Annual | 0.9 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 4 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
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Botanical References
Links / References
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Subject : Atriplex cinerea
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