Common Name: Nitre-bush
Botanical Name: Nitraria billardierei
Family: ZYGOPHYLLACEAE
Description:
Grey-green, medium to tall, dense, spreading shrub, 1-3 m high, often wider in diameter, tangled spiny branchlets. Thick, flat, smooth, slightly succulent, alternate, clustered, 1-4 cm long by 5 mm wide, grey to green, one visible vein. Small, white flower with 5 petals. Spring (September to November). Fleshy drupe, 1-2 cm in diameter, turning from green (immature) to red, purple or golden in colour (mature), containing a hard woody stone. Late summer to autumn (February to March).
Grey-green, medium to tall, dense, spreading shrub, 1-3 m high, often wider in diameter, tangled spiny branchlets. Thick, flat, smooth, slightly succulent, alternate, clustered, 1-4 cm long by 5 mm wide, grey to green, one visible vein. Small, white flower with 5 petals. Spring (September to November). Fleshy drupe, 1-2 cm in diameter, turning from green (immature) to red, purple or golden in colour (mature), containing a hard woody stone. Late summer to autumn (February to March).
Natural Distribution:
Commonly occurs on saline loam and clay soils of floodplains, saline flats and coastal areas in all agricultural districts of SA. Extends into all mainland States.
Commonly occurs on saline loam and clay soils of floodplains, saline flats and coastal areas in all agricultural districts of SA. Extends into all mainland States.
Notes:
An important habitat for small animals and food source for birds such as emus which are known to disperse the seed. Drought resistant and high tolerance to soil salinity.
An important habitat for small animals and food source for birds such as emus which are known to disperse the seed. Drought resistant and high tolerance to soil salinity.
