Atriplex nummularia aka Old Man Saltbush

Atriplex nummularia is an evergreen shrub from Australia. Its common names include old man saltbush and giant saltbush. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. Kew places it in desert and dry shrubland habitats. Its Australian range includes Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It also occurs in South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.

The shrub grows at a moderate pace. It can reach about 11.5 feet [3.5 metres] tall. Its leaves stay on the plant throughout the year. The silvery foliage contrasts with darker garden plants. Pruning can shape it into a hedge. Wind carries pollen between its flowers. Most plants bear separate male and female flowers on one shrub. Some plants bear only one sex. PFAF lists flowering from May to July. A separate note there gives late summer to early autumn. These conflicting dates make a single flowering season uncertain.

Grow this saltbush in full sun and well-drained soil. It suits sandy or loamy ground, including poor soils. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. It also tolerates very alkaline and salty soils. Hot, dry sites suit it, while humid regions may not. It prefers annual rainfall of about 300–600 millimetres. The soil may be dry or moist, provided drainage is good. PFAF lists USDA zones 7–10. It also reports cold tolerance around 14–23°F [−10 to −5°C]. It warns that colder parts of Britain are unsuitable.

Gardeners can use this shrub for hedges and windbreaks. Its roots help hold soil and limit erosion. Salt tolerance gives it value on saline land. Farmers also grow it as forage for sheep and cattle. PFAF describes its use in fire-retardant hedges in dry inland areas. Its pale leaves also support its use beside roads. Seed and cuttings offer ways to raise new plants. PFAF reports that both half-ripe and mature wood cuttings root readily.

The leaves and young shoots can be cooked for food. Cooked seeds can be ground into meal. This meal can thicken soup or join flour for bread. Avoid treating edible foliage as safe under all growing conditions. PFAF warns that artificial fertilisers may cause harmful nitrate buildup in leaves. It records past medicinal use for scurvy and blood disorders. That record does not establish treatment safety or effectiveness.