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Ruby Saltbush - Enchylaena tomentosa (Kurrkuty) seeds

Ruby Saltbush - Enchylaena tomentosa (Kurrkuty) seeds

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Enchylaena tomentosa - Ruby Saltbush
A hardy, drought-tolerant shrub producing edible berries with a unique salty-sweet flavor.

Quick Facts

  • Height & Spread: Small perennial shrub, up to 1 meter in diameter.
  • Flowers & Fruits: Produces small, edible berries (5–8 mm) year-round, ranging in color from yellow to red.
  • Soil: Adapts to various soils but thrives in slightly saline conditions.
  • Habitat: Found across semi-arid Australia on sand plains, hill slopes, creek lines, sand dunes, and salt lake shores.
  • Climate: Highly drought-tolerant, ideal for arid and semi-arid regions.

Why Grow Enchylaena tomentosa?

Ruby Saltbush is a resilient and low-maintenance shrub that brings both ornamental value and practical benefits to gardens and landscapes. Its year-round fruiting, unique bush food qualities, and ability to thrive in harsh conditions make it an essential addition to native gardens, edible landscapes, and restoration projects.

Bush Food Note

The fruits and leaves of Enchylaena tomentosa are valued for their culinary uses:

  • Fruits:
    • Eaten raw, with a salty-sweet flavor.
    • Used by Indigenous Australians as a snack or soaked in water to make a sweet tea.
  • Leaves:
    • Edible but rich in oxalates; should be cooked before consumption or eaten sparingly.

Fruits are typically available from the first year of planting.

How to Grow

  1. Sowing Instructions:

    • Sow seeds directly into well-drained soil.
    • Cover lightly with soil and water gently.

  2. Position:

    • Plant in full sun to part shade.
    • Ideal for saline soils or arid environments.

  3. Care Tips:

    • Water sparingly; drought-tolerant once established.
    • Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
    • Prune lightly to shape or encourage bushier growth.

Uses in Your Garden

  • Bush Food Garden: Provides edible berries and leaves for snacks or cooking.
  • Ornamental Value: Vibrant, colorful fruits add year-round interest.
  • Restoration Projects: Thrives in saline soils and stabilizes degraded or erosion-prone areas.
  • Wildlife Habitat: Supports native birds and small animals with shelter and food.

Germination Tips

  • Timeframe: Seeds typically germinate within 2–4 weeks.
  • Moisture: Keep soil moist during germination but avoid overwatering.
  • Light: Position seeds in a sunny or partially shaded area for optimal growth.

Order Now

Add the beauty and functionality of Enchylaena tomentosa to your garden. Its salty-sweet berries, drought tolerance, and ecological benefits make Ruby Saltbush a standout plant for Australian landscapes.

Order your Ruby Saltbush seeds today and grow a versatile and rewarding native shrub!