A very drought tolerant small shrub, growing to around a metre high and wide, as well as prostrate forms. It bears edible berries which start out greenish, and ripen to red, with a range of colours together on the bush. The berries have a sweet and salty flavour. Occurs extensively in inland areas as well as coastal, able to grow on saline soils, saltmarsh, sand dunes, copes well with poor soils, drought and frost. Grows in sun to part shade. A good plant to provide stock fodder in drought times, as well as useful bush tucker.
Enchylaena tomentosa – Ruby Saltbush
Plant Information
Plant Type - Small shrub, Ground cover
Common Name - Ruby Saltbush
Scientific Name - Enchylaena tomentosa
Family - Amaranthaceae
Cultivar Name -
Other Common Name -
Minimum Height - 0.4
Maximum Height - 1
Minimum Width - 0.5
Maximum Width - 1
Flower Colour -
Flowering Time - Spring, Summer, Autumn
pH Level - Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type - Sandy, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Saline, Poor soil
Plant Environment - Low maintenance garden, Poolside, Coastal garden, Drought resistant
Climate Zone - Tropical, Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Cool, Semi-arid, Arid
Light - Sunny, Light shade
Growth Habit - Evergreen, Spreading
Life Span - Perennial
Soil Moisture - Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage
Propagation Method - Seed, Softwood cutting, Semihardwood cutting
Frost Tolerance - Tolerates heavy frost, Tolerates light frost
Plant Usage - Groundcover
Special Uses - Edible, Decorative fruit, Erosion control
Attracts Wildlife - Seed eating birds
Angus Cultivar -