Common names: Coast Saltbush, Gray Saltbush
Taxonomic name: Atriplex cinerea
Family: Amaranthaceae
Habitat: Sandy beaches, dunes, sheltered coastal areas
Form: Bush to 1 metre
Flowering time: Winter to early Summer
Description and uses:
Coast Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea) is a saltbush that’s only found on the coast. It likes to grow near the high tide mark. It’s about the only saltbush that likes this position.
The interesting thing about this saltbush is that its male and female flowers are very different. The male are in round clusters along spikes. They are a cream colour, drying to brown. Female flowers are green and are located where the leaves meet the stem.
Coast Saltbush is a spreading shrub, up to 1 metre high, with leaves that have a white powdery look due to small, shiny patches.
Coast Saltbush is my favourite saltbush for salads and snacks. The leaves are crisp and a touch salty – I love the salty tang of it raw in salads.
There are other edible saltbushes on the Saltbushes page.
