Chenopodium candolleanum

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Chenopodium candolleanum, commonly known as seaberry saltbush, is a shrub native to Australia. It grows up to about 2 meters tall and has shiny green, thick, almost succulent leaves with a paler underside. Leaves are 1–3 cm long and 4–12 mm wide, widest toward the base.

In its flowering season (December to April in Australia), it produces small pale flowers arranged in panicles. After flowering, it forms flattened dark-red fruits up to 4 mm across.

Taxonomy: The species was first described in 1840 by Alfred Moquin-Tandon. In 2012, Fuentes-Bazan and Borsch placed it in the genus Chenopodium. It has also been called Rhagodia candolleana or Rhagodia baccata var. candolleana (synonyms).

There are two subspecies: Chenopodium candolleanum subsp. candolleanum (coastal, on cliffs and dunes, often scrambling among other shrubs) and Chenopodium candolleanum subsp. argenteum (near inland salt lakes).

Distribution includes Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. The leaves can be cooked and eaten, and Aboriginal people are reported to have eaten the berries, despite their bitterness.