Prior names
Zygophyllum halophilum
Zygophyllum tetrapterum, partly
Common names
Salt-loving Twinleaf
Etymology
Zygophyllum from the Greek 'zygon' meaning pair and 'phyllon' meaning leaf; referring to the pair of leaflets making up each leaf. Halophilum from the Greek 'halos' meaning salt and 'philos' meaning friend, loving; referring to its saline habitat.
Distribution and status
Found in the central western part of South Australia, growing in or on edges of salt lakes, often with samphires. Also found in Western Australia. Native. Rare in South Australia. Rare in western Australia.
Herbarium region: North Western
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Decumbent, spreading, perennial shrub to 20 cm high and 30 cm wide, glabrous and often with reddish foliage. Leaves succulent, leaflets oblong, to 17mm long and 2.5 mm wide, continuous with stem, obtuse-rounded at the apex. Inflorescence solitary at each node with yellow flower. Flowering between August and October. Fruits are purplish elliptic capsule to 10 mm long, with a deeply notched apex, 4-wings, 4 cells, 1 seed per cell. Seed embryo type is spatulate fully developed.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between October and December. Collect semi-dried and dried capsules by running your hands through the stems of the plant. Mature fruits will come off easily and will have a hard and dark seed inside each segment. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the greenness of the fruit. Then rub the dried capsules to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to remove 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.