Mealy or Fragrant Saltbush (Rhagodia parabolica)

Common names: Mealy Saltbush, Fragrant Saltbush

Taxonomic name: Rhagodia parabolica, Chenopodium parabolicum

Family: Amaranthaceae

Habitat: Sandy areas, Mallee

Form: Spreading bush to 2 metres

Flowering Time: Summer

Kaurna name: Niplina

Description

Mealy or Fragrant Saltbush (Rhagodia parabolica also Chenopodium parabolicum) is a very common plant around the Gawler area and practically everywhere I’ve been in South Australia, as they are a favourite plant of councils and landscapers because of their colour, dense growth and height up to 2 m.

Definitely the best way to identify Mealy saltbush is to examine the leaves. They are thick and grey – green and have a grey – white powder on them (the ‘mealy’ in Mealy Saltbush). They are also curved slightly into almost a bowl shape – that’s where the ‘parabolica’ in the taxonomic name comes from – ‘parabola’. Flowers are tiny and green and on branching panicles of flowers at the end of branches. These become dense clusters of red berries on the flower stems and are a good indicator when in season.

Uses

The berries are edible and I think could be used for a red dye. Young leaves are edible but musty be cooked for a while (some suggest an hour) and discard the water as the leaves contain much of their weight as salt.