Enchylaena tomentosa
Common name: Ruby Saltbush
I grow best: Full Sun / Part Shade
· Drought Resistant & Tolerates Light Frost
· Groundcover, Height Up To 0.7m, Width Up To 1.5m
· Dry, Well-Drained Sandy Soils, Adapts To Most Soils
· Flowers – Summer , Autumn
· Attracts – Birds, Bees
· Edible Leaves & Fruit
Looks like: Ruby Saltbush is a very hardy, woody, low-growing shrub with fleshy green leaves that are covered in fine white hairs. Small, inconspicuous flowers appear from May to September. This species produces edible berries about 5-8mm in diameter, ranging in colour from yellow to red.
Habitat & Growing: grows in a range of habitats throughout Australia. You’ll often find this small shrub occurring through most semi-arid areas, on a variety of land and soil types such as sand plains, hill slopes, creek lines, sand dunes and salt lake shores.
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Plant Type | Small shrub, Ground cover |
| Width | 1 |
| Flowering Time | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Soil Type | Sandy, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Saline, Poor soil |
| Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Cool, Semi-arid, Arid |
| Growth Habit | Evergreen, Spreading |
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage |
| Special Uses | Edible, Decorative fruit, Erosion control |
| Height | 1 |
| pH Level | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
| Plant Environment | Low maintenance garden, Poolside, Coastal garden, Drought resistant |
| Light | Sunny, Light shade |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Frost Tolerance | Tolerates heavy frost, Tolerates light frost |
| Attracts Wildlife | Seed eating birds |
Distribution:
Traditional uses: Ruby Saltbush is a quaint succulent bearing small berries with a crisp, salty-sweet flavour. Berries may be eaten raw or soaked in water to make a sweet tea. The leaves are also edible, but as they’re rich in oxalates, they should be cooked before eating, or consumed sparingly. The fruit can also be used to produce a red dye and have a black stone inside, also edible. The berries are a good source of vitamin C.
Eco Friendly Seed Starting Kit: Propagation Instructions
1.Once ready to sow the Ruby Saltbush seed, place coir tablet in a container with warm water.
2.Once the coir tablet has expanded, pour excess water out of the container and transfer the coir into the peat pot.
3.Place seeds in pot and cover lightly with the coir.
4.Keep in a sheltered position where it can receive morning sun, gradually exposing to full sun.
5.Keep moist until germination.
6.Once seed is germinated, you can plant in next size pot or plant in your garden.
7.Ensure pot is under soil level, push down gently and water well.
