A low, shrubby plant which grows into untidy clumps or as a straggler through scrub in heavy soils. Fairly widespread. Leaves opposite, sub-opposite or alternate. The leaves sometimes have white salt spots on the under-surface of the leaf. In some cases turn red before falling. Also may have red edges. Small yellow flowers. Fruit are small red berries, quite showy, with small black seeds. Easy to propagate. Previously known as Rhagodia hastata. Another common name is Saloop. Apprently edible: "Leaves edible after boiling to remove excess salt" - (CERES Nursery, Merri Creek, Brunswick, Melbourne). Weed suppressing ground covers for drier areas. Hastate means spear shaped, referring to the triangular shape of the leaves with spreading lobes at the base. A very useful plant with spade or spear-shaped leaves, fire retarding, with abundant berries all year round, able to grow on very heavy soils. Recorded as host plant for Theclinesthes serpentata (Saltbush Blue Butterfly, Chequered Blue) relatively small butterflies, with a wingspan of about 18 mm.
References and resources
- Groundcovers - published by Hornsby Council
- Caterpillars: especially Australian ones - by Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley
- Wild Plants of Greater Brisbane - More than 500 species of our most familiar wild plants, and a few that are less well known, are featured in over 1100 colour photographs; along with brief, easy-to-read, descriptions of the plants and their habitats.