Chenopodium nitrariaceum
| Nitre goosefoot | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Chenopodium |
| Species: | C. nitrariaceum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chenopodium nitrariaceum | |
Chenopodium nitrariaceum commonly known as the nitre goosefoot,[2] is a flowering shrub in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is a spiny perennial with greyish leaves and small flowers.
Description
Chenopodium nitrariaceum is a perennial shrub to about 2 m (6 ft 7 in) high with spiky branches The leaves are arranged alternately, greyish-green, sometimes clustered, spoon-shaped to linear, 5–25 mm (0.20–0.98 in) long, mostly to 5 mm (0.20 in) wide and occasional hairs and tapering to a short peduncle. Small flowers are borne in terminal clusters, 5 lobed, 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in) in diameter. Flowering may occur any time during the year and the fruit is a small pericarp, dry and white.[3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
This species was described in 1857 by Ferdinand von Mueller, who gave it the name Rhagodia nitrariacea.[5] In 1870 George Bentham changed the name to Chenopodium nitrariaceum in his Flora Australiensis from an unpublished manuscript by Ferdinand von Mueller.[6][7]The specific epithet (nitrariaceum) means 'resembling Nitraria'.[3][8]
Distribution and habitat
Nitre goosefoot grows on clay, clay-loam, stony situations on flood plains, wetter areas and sand plains in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
References
- ^ "Chenopodium nitrariaceum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ^ Jacobs, S.W.L. "Chenopodium nitrariaceum". PlantNET-New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ^ a b Kutsche, Frank; Lay, Brendan; Croft, Tim; Kellermann, Jurgen (2013). Plants of Outback South Australia. Adelaide: State Herbarium of South Australia. p. 134. ISBN 9781922027603.
- ^ "Chenopodium nitrariaceum". FloraSA. Botanic Gardens & State Herbarium. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
- ^ "Rhagodia nitrariacea". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Chenopodium nitrariaceum". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ Bentham, George (1870). Flora Australiensis. London: L. Reeve & Co. p. 158.
- ^ George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 269. ISBN 9780958034180.