Botanical art
Prior names
Atriplex nummularia
Atriplex nummularia ssp. erosa
Common names
Tjilyi-tjilyi
Old-man Saltbush
Etymology
Atriplex from the Latin 'atriplexum' meaning an orach, a saltbush; an Ancient Latin name for this plant. Nummularia from the Latin 'nummularius' meaning an officer in the mint who tested silver before it was coined and/or 'numus' a silver coin, referring to the round silvery leaves.
Distribution and status
Found throughout much of the drier regions of South Australia on heavy soils or flood plains. Also found in Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Native. Common in South Australia. Common in other states.
Herbarium regions: North Western, Lake Eyre, Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Perennial shrub to 3m high, predominantly dioecious, with lower branches decumbent. Leaves broad-elliptic with the lamina to 35cm long and 4cm wide. Male and female flowers on separate plants. Inflorescences paniculate. Flowering all year round. Fruits are large pale-brown, papery fruit; orbicular with base truncate or cordate and valves appressed. Seeds are shiny brown, circular reniform seed to 2mm wide. Seed embryo type is peripheral
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between January and December. Collect spongy dried fruit either directly from the bush or from the ground underneath. Place the fruits in a tray and leave to dry for one to two weeks. No cleaning is required if only the fruits are collected. The seed can be stored in the fruit or can be clean further. Rub the fruit gently by hand to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.