Baldoo

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©Chris Lindorff via natureshare, Chris Lindorff via natureshare

Atriplex lindleyi

Erect or spreading annual to 40 cm high. Leaves obovate to narrow-elliptic to 4 cm long, rather thick and soft, often with margins with angular teeth. Flowers at the junctions of leaf and stem, solitary or in clusters. Inflated and fused fruiting bracteoles are fibrous and spongy.

Details
Flora Type
Chenopods
Other Common Names
Eastern Flat-top Saltbush
Distinctive Features

Leaves powdery grey from hairs on leaves. Spongy, inflated bracteole 10-15 mm long and as wide.
Biology

Male and female structures separate on same plant. An invader of degraded and/or salted areas on heavier soils. Widespread and abundant at times in drier areas. Often occurs in often in depressions or low-lying areas. Has 5 subspecies that vary mostly in shape and size of fruiting body.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Fruits mainly Mar-Aug
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Caryophyllales
Family
Chenopodiaceae
Genus
Atriplex
Species
lindleyi

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Outside Australia this species is an introduced species, and in the United States an invasive species. Seeds and possibly leaves of some species were used as food by Aboriginal people.

Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native