Chenopodium candolleanum

Chenopodium candolleanum[1] (Syn. Rhagodia candolleana), commonly known as seaberry saltbush, is a shrub in the subfamily Chenopodioideae of the family Amaranthaceae (sensu lato), native to Australia.

Chenopodium candolleanum
Chenopodium candolleanum at Cape Woolamai, Victoria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Chenopodium
Species:
C. candolleanum
Binomial name
Chenopodium candolleanum
(Moq.) S.Fuentes & Borsch
Synonyms
  • Rhagodia candolleana Moq.
  • Rhagodia baccata var. candolleana (Moq.) Moq[1]

Description

This species forms a dense shrub up to 2 metres in height.[2]

It shiny green leaves are thick and almost succulent, with a paler underside. These are 1 to 3 cm long and 4-12mm wide with the widest part of the leaf towards the base.[2]

The flowers are small and pale and arranged in panicles, appearing between December and April (early summer to mid autumn) in the species' native range. These are followed by flattened dark-red fruits which are up to 4 mm in diameter.[2]

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described in 1840 in Chenopodearum Monographica Enumeratio by Alfred Moquin-Tandon.[3] After phylogenetical research, Fuentes-Bazan et al. (2012) included this species in genus Chenopodium.[1]

The species name Rhagodia baccata has sometimes been misapplied to this species.[3]

Two subspecies are currently recognised:[1]

  • Chenopodium candolleanum subsp. argenteum (Paul G. Wilson) S.Fuentes & Borsch - has a silvery appearance[4]
  • Chenopodium candolleanum subsp. candolleanum

Distribution

The species occurs in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.[2][5] Chenopodium candolleanum subsp. candolleanum is a coastal plant, found on cliffs and dunes, often scrambling among other shrubs.[2] The subspecies Chenopodium candolleanum subsp. argenteum occurs near inland salt lakes.[4]

Uses

The leaves can be cooked and eaten.[6] Aboriginal people are reported to have consumed the berries, despite their bitterness.[6]

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References
  1. Susy Fuentes-Bazan, Guilhem Mansion, Thomas Borsch: Towards a species level tree of the globally diverse genus Chenopodium (Chenopodiaceae). In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. Vol. 62, No. 1, 2012, ISSN 1055-7903, p. 372, DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.10.006
  2. Costermans, L. (1981). Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia. Australia: Rigby. ISBN 072701403X.
  3. "Rhagodia candolleana". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
  4. "Rhagodia candolleana Moq. ssp. argentea Paul G.Wilson". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia. Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
  5. Jacobs, S.W.L. "Rhagodia candolleana Moq". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
  6. Low, T. (1991). Wild Food Plants Of Australia. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0207169306.
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