Common Name: Spiny Saltbush

General Information

Chenopodium spinescens is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 300cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - all mainland states

Habitat

Dried river beds in sandy clay and clay soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Chenopodium spinescens is a plant of arid and semi-arid regions in the warm temperate and subtropical regions of Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 900 metres. It grows in areas with a mean annual rainfall in the range 100 - 900mm. It can tolerate occasional light frosts down to around -5°c[].
Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil. Found wild mainly on loamy soils, but also found on heavy clays[]. Established plants are moderately drought tolerant[]. Tolerates moderately saline soils[].
Plants seldom live longer than 15 years[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked. A salty flavour[].
Fruit - raw. Sweet and palatable[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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.