Enchylaena tomentosa
barrier saltbush
Overview
Enchylaena tomentosa is a small evergreen shrub in the saltbush group, native across much of mainland Australia, growing 1-3 feet (0.3-1 m) tall with a low, spreading to mounded habit. The fleshy, cylindrical leaves are 0.2-0.6 inch (5-15 mm) long, grey-green, and covered in soft woolly hairs that reduce water loss. Tiny petalless flowers sit in the leaf axils through much of the year and develop into small succulent berries about 0.2 inch (5 mm) wide that ripen from green and yellow to orange and red. The berries are edible and slightly salty, were eaten by Aboriginal peoples, and are taken by birds that spread the seed. The shrub tolerates drought, salt, alkaline soils, and coastal wind, and grows in arid scrub, saline flats, and rocky ground. It is short-lived but self-seeds and strikes easily from cuttings. In rich, wet soils it can grow leggy and lose its compact form.
Native Range
Native across mainland Australia, occurring in every mainland state in arid and semi-arid scrub, saline flats, floodplains, and coastal sites.Suggested Uses
Grown in dry, coastal, and saline gardens as a low spreading shrub, ground cover, or container plant, and used in arid-zone revegetation. The colourful edible berries draw birds and add bush-food interest. Its short lifespan and tendency to grow leggy in rich soil are the main limitations.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread2' - 5'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
green to yellowFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Enchylaena tomentosa grows in full sun on free-draining sandy, loamy, clay, or rocky soils, including alkaline and saline ground. It is highly drought and salt tolerant and needs little or no watering once established. The shrub withstands frost to about 23 F (-5 C) and strong sun and wind. It needs no fertilizer and stays most compact on lean, dry soils; rich or wet ground makes it leggy. Plants are short-lived but self-seed and grow easily from cuttings. Light trimming keeps the form dense.Pruning
Light trimming at any time keeps the shrub compact and bushy. Cutting back leggy stems encourages denser regrowth. Plants tolerate hard pruning when they become open or woody.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons