Plants of
South Australia
Atriplex nummularia ssp. nummularia
Chenopodiaceae
Tjilyi-tjilyi
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Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically endangered
Extinct
Data deficient
Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
Mount Gambier
Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
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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
NRM regions: Alinytjara Wilurara, Eyre Peninsula, Northern and Yorke, South Australian Arid Lands, South Australian Murray-Darling Basin
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.

Germination table:
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We acknowledge the contributions of the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre, the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, and the Department for Environment and Water.