Enchylaena tomentosa Ruby saltbush (Chenopodiaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Enchylaena tomentosa
Ruby saltbush
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Enchylaena tomentosa plant species is found in Australia. It is a member of the Chenopodiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Ruby saltbush.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Enchylaena tomentosa
Common Name:  Ruby saltbush
Family:  Chenopodiaceae
Author:  R.Br.

Known Hazards:  The leaves are rich in oxalic acid. Perfectly alright in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since oxalic acid can bind up the body's supply of calcium leading to nutritional deficiency. It is oxalic acid that gives foods such as rhubarb their acid flavour. Cooking the leaves will greatly reduce the oxalic acid content. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238].

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Loamy and slightly saline soils by the coast in semi-arid areas[154, 157]. Found in saltmarshes and rocky headlands as well as in arid zones inland[193].

Cultivation Notes: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. It tolerates temperatures down to at least -7c in Australian gardens where it also resists salt spray[157]. However, this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. It might be worthwhile trying it as a summer annual and seeing if it can overwinter. It probably requires a very well-drained soil and a sunny position[K]. We have overwintered the plant in a cold greenhouse, though it suffered lots of die-back, so it will obviously have problems outdoors[K].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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