Family: Amaranthaceae
Habitat: Sandy areas, edges of woodland
Flowering Time: Summer
Kaurna name: Niplina
Description and uses:
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. It’s soft looking, grey leaves and branching panicles of flowers are the give away in identifying this plant. The dense clusters of red berries on the flower stems are another good indicator when in season.
The best way to identify Mealy saltbush is to examine the leaves. They are grey-green and have a grey-white powder on them.
the grey-white powder
A grey-white powder on the leaves and red berries are the give aways for identifying Rhagodia parabolica
There are other edible saltbushes listed on the Saltbushes page.
