Facts about Australia’s Saltbush
September 16th 2006 04:42
Cycle tourers crossing remote outback regions in Australia are sure to notice the dominance of saltbush in scrubland areas. You may find little else to look at during much of your ride! Here’s some fast facts to add a little salt to your day…
1.There are around 30 varieties of saltbush growing in Australian scrubland.
2.Saltbush predominates in arid areas because of its ability to cope with saline soil.
3.The saltbush is edible – the small leaves are firm and fleshy and taste like salted spinach or salted wheat grass. (Yep, I've tasted it!)
4.Stock will eat saltbush when they have nothing else to feed on.
5.Some graziers claim they get better wool yields when their sheep feed on protein-rich saltbush and saltbush may be used to revegetate saline grazing areas. Check out the sites I looked up; http://www.oldmansaltbush.com/ or http://www.abc.net.au/landline/stories/s331210.htm yourself for more info.
6.The red fruits and seeds of the Ruby Saltbush were an important food source for Aboriginals in all mainland states & some varieties are known to have been used by Aboriginal tribes for face paint.
7.Check out http://www.dining-downunder.com for a recipe using Australian Saltbush Lamb.
8.Want to try eating saltbush? The Arid Lands Botanical Gardens on the Stuart Highway in Port Augusta, South Australia, run daily tours, which include the chance to taste many Australian bush foods. Visit www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au for more information.
Thanks to the tour guide at the Arid Lands Botanical Gardens for the majority of this information where not otherwise attributed.
Example of Australian Saltbush on the Nullarbor
1.There are around 30 varieties of saltbush growing in Australian scrubland.
2.Saltbush predominates in arid areas because of its ability to cope with saline soil.
3.The saltbush is edible – the small leaves are firm and fleshy and taste like salted spinach or salted wheat grass. (Yep, I've tasted it!)
4.Stock will eat saltbush when they have nothing else to feed on.
5.Some graziers claim they get better wool yields when their sheep feed on protein-rich saltbush and saltbush may be used to revegetate saline grazing areas. Check out the sites I looked up; http://www.oldmansaltbush.com/ or http://www.abc.net.au/landline/stories/s331210.htm yourself for more info.
6.The red fruits and seeds of the Ruby Saltbush were an important food source for Aboriginals in all mainland states & some varieties are known to have been used by Aboriginal tribes for face paint.
7.Check out http://www.dining-downunder.com for a recipe using Australian Saltbush Lamb.
8.Want to try eating saltbush? The Arid Lands Botanical Gardens on the Stuart Highway in Port Augusta, South Australia, run daily tours, which include the chance to taste many Australian bush foods. Visit www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au for more information.
Thanks to the tour guide at the Arid Lands Botanical Gardens for the majority of this information where not otherwise attributed.
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