Nitraria billardierei – Nitre Bush

This bush food plant is found throughout Australia, primarily in very saline areas, both inland and coastal. Likes clay and loamy soils and is also found in overgrazed areas, so could be useful to regenerate such areas. It is a low spreading shrub, bearing white flowers in spring which then mature into the edible red fruits. These fruits taste apparently like salty grapes, they could make a great and interesting addition to savoury dishes! They can also be dried or made into jams.

Picture provided by Philip Clarke, from his new book Discovering Aboriginal Plant Use: Journeys of an Australian Anthropologist


Plant Information

Plant Type - Small shrub, Large shrub
Common Name - Nitre Bush
Scientific Name - Nitraria billardierei
Family - Nitrariaceae
Cultivar Name -
Other Common Name -
Minimum Height - 1
Maximum Height - 2
Minimum Width - 2
Maximum Width - 4
Flower Colour - White
Flowering Time - Spring
pH Level - Neutral
Soil Type - Clay, Loamy, Clay loam, Saline
Plant Environment - Low maintenance garden, Container growing, Coastal garden, Drought resistant
Climate Zone - Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid
Light - Sunny
Growth Habit - Evergreen, Dense foliage, Spreading
Life Span - Perennial
Soil Moisture - Well-drained
Propagation Method - Seed
Frost Tolerance - Tolerates light frost
Plant Usage -
Special Uses - Edible, Erosion control
Attracts Wildlife - Seed eating birds
Angus Cultivar -