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Bladder saltbush facts for kids

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Bladder saltbush
Atriplex vesicaria.jpg
Scientific classification
Genus:
Atriplex
Species:
vesicaria

Atriplex vesicaria, commonly known as bladder saltbush, is a species of saltbush endemic to Australia.

Description

It grows as an erect or sprawling shrub up to a metre high. Leaves are oval in shape, five to 25 millimetres long, and 3 to 15 millimetres wide.

Taxonomy

The species was first published by George Bentham in 1870, based on a name selected by Robert Heward [es; fr]. The species' only synonym is Pachypharynx neglecta, published by Paul Aellen [de; es; pt] in 1938.

It is a highly variable species. The Flora of Australia treatment of this species recognises eight subspecies:

  • A. vesicaria subsp. vesicaria
  • A. vesicaria subsp. appendiculata
  • A. vesicaria subsp. variabilis
  • A. vesicaria subsp. calcicola
  • A. vesicaria subsp. minor
  • A. vesicaria subsp. incompta
  • A. vesicaria subsp. macrocystidia
  • A. vesicaria subsp. sphaerocarpa. Not all of these are accepted in South Australia, where the subspecies tend to intergrade.

Distribution and habitat

It occurs in arid and semi-arid areas across southern Australia, growing in coastal dunes, salt pans, salt lakes, sandy plains and limestone ridges.

Images for kids

  • Atriplex vesicaria habit (larger)

    Habit (subsp. macrocystidia) near Balranald

  • A. Vesicaria fruit in macro

    A macro image of an Atriplex vesicaria fruit and leaf

  • A. Vesicaria - Shrub in cracking clay

    Atriplex vesicaria shrub in cracking clay. Stud Creek, Sturt National Park, NSW

  • A. Vesicaria - Shrub displaying abundant fruits

    Abundant fruits on the Atriplex vesicaria

  • A. Vesicaria fruit in macro

    A macro image of an Atriplex vesicaria fruit and leaf

  • A. Vesicaria fruits in macro

    A macro image of Atriplex vesicaria fruits

  • A group of Atriplex vesicaria shrubs

    A group of Atriplex vesicaria shrubs

  • Close-up of the species Atriplex Vesicaria

    Branches and leaves of the Atriplex vesicaria

  • Still image - Atriplex versicaria with flowers and fruit

    Atriplex vesicaria displaying male flowers and fruit

  • Atriplex vesicaria in persons hand for scale

    A person holding a branch of Atriplex vesicaria. Port Bonython, SA. Photo by possumpete, 2022.

  • Close up aerial view of Atriplex vesicaria

    Looking down on an Atriplex vesicaria shrub. Port Bonython, SA. Photo by possumpete, 2022.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Atriplex vesicaria para niños

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