Common Name:

General Information

Nitraria schoberi is a much-branched shrub with creeping branches; it can grow up to 250cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and fuel.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-eastern Europe (Romania) to West Siberia, Kazakhstan and Pakistan

Habitat

Clayey and sandy, usually solonetzic soils in desert plains[]. Saline soils in arid regions[, ]. On sand dunes and along fairly moist, clay roadsides[]..

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Nitraria species generally prefer a light to medium well-drained soil in an open sunny position. Plants are very salt tolerant and usually grow well on saline soils[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[].
The plant usually flowers abundantly, the flowers are highly fragrant[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Insipid[]. A pleasant flavour[, , , ]. Salty[]. The reddish-purple, ovoid-spherical fruit is 5 - 15mm in diameter[]. It can be cooked for winter use[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The plant is an important source of fuel in the desert[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates best at 18-22°c. The seed is contained in a woody fruit. Pre-soaking for 24 hours in warm water can improve germination, cracking the woody shell (being careful not to damage the fseed) is also beneficial. Even then the seed can take one to severl months to germinate.
The seed germinates much better if it has passed through the digestive system - in particular the fruits were a favourite food for emus and defacated seeds would have a much higher germination rate[].