Rhagodia candolleana

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Seaberry Saltbush
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
(unranked) Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Subfamily: Chenopodioideae
Genus: Rhagodia
Species: R. candolleana
Binomial name
Rhagodia candolleana
Moq.

Rhagodia candolleana (Seaberry Saltbush) is a shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, native to Australia.

Contents

[edit] Description

This species forms a dense shrub up to 2 metres in height[1]

It shiny green leaves are thick and almost succulent, with a paler underside. These are 1 to 3 cm long and 4-12mm wide with the widest part of the leaf towards the base.[1]

The flowers are small and pale and arranged in panicles, appearing between December and April (early summer to mid autumn) in the species native range. These are followed by flattened dark-red fruits which are up to 4 mm in diameter. [1]

[edit] Taxonomy

The species was first formally described in 1840 in Chenopodearum Monographica Enumeratio by Alfred Moquin-Tandon. [2]

The species name Rhagodia baccata has sometimes been misapplied to this species.[2]

Two subspecies are currently recognised:[2]

  • R. candolleana subsp. argentea Paul G.Wilson - has a silvery appearance[3]
  • R. candolleana Moq. subsp. candolleana

[edit] Distribution

The species occurs in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.[4][1] R. candolleana Moq. subsp. candolleana is a coastal plant, found on cliffs and dunes, often scrambling among other shrubs.[1] The subspecies R. candolleana subsp. argentea occurs near inland salt lakes.[3]

[edit] Uses

The leaves can be cooked and eaten.[5] Aborigines are reported to have consumed the berries, despite their bitterness.[5].

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Costermans, L. (1981). Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia. Australia: Rigby. ISBN 072701403x. 
  2. ^ a b c Rhagodia candolleana. Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved on 2008-03-27.
  3. ^ a b Rhagodia candolleana Moq. ssp. argentea Paul G.Wilson. Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia.
  4. ^ Jacobs, S.W.L.. Rhagodia candolleana Moq.. PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved on 2008-03-27.
  5. ^ a b Low, T. (1991). Wild Food Plants Of Australia. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0207169306.