You can find oldman saltbush in our Australian Bush Food Garden at Green Olive at Red Hill.
Interesting Facts about Oldman Saltbush
Oldman saltbush is a shrub that is renowned for its ability to survive in a variety of different conditions but thrives in arid landscapes. The oldman saltbush is part of the genus saltbush which gets its name from its ability to get salty water into its leaves via osmosis.
While it is a native Australian plant, it is also found in Taiwan and has been introduced to countries like South Africa, Spain and the USA. It’s widespread cultivation is due to its use as food for livestock coupled with its ability to survive a range of harsh weather conditions such as flooding and drought. Farmers feed oldman saltbush to their livestock as its a cheap and reliable way to meet their nutritional needs and livestock love the salty taste of the leaves!
Indigenous Uses of Oldman Saltbush
The oldman saltbush is a crucial part of Aboriginal food, shelter and agriculture. Indigenous Australians ate the leaves of the shrub and ground the leaves and roots into water. They would then bathe any skin abrasions in the water to help heal them. Oldman saltbush was also used by Indigenous Australians as windbreaks, firebreaks and shade, and used it to optimise soil conditions for agriculture.
Interested in learning more about Australian bush foods? We are developing a range of products and experiences that will allow you to feel, smell and taste bush tucker. In the meantime, check out our other bush tucker plants to learn about some of the other native Australian flora that we’ve planted: Pigface, Wattle Seed and Lemon Myrtle.
Oldman saltbush flowers
Photo credit: Exploroz
Oldman saltbush
Photo credit: The Lustrum Project
Rows of oldman saltbush
Photo credit: Australian National Botanical Gardens
Banner photo credit: Tucker Bush
Cover photo credit: Sanctuary Lake's Resort