Chenopods and more

You can't really avoid Port Augusta when you're traversing the southern part of the continent but it's worth stopping and spending some time exploring.

It's right at the head of Spencer Gulf and Matthew Flinders wasn't impressed with the area when he was here in 1801. "No person shall have occasion to come after me to make further discoveries" he wrote to Banks.

But I was impressed. The saltbush and other chenopod species cover the plains, interspersed with daisies, grasses and other interesting plants. Mangroves line the banks and as a backdrop the light changes the colour of the Southern Flinders continually.

The head of Spencer Gulf, Port Augusta

A long train moving south

Cemetery in the saltbush, Port Augusta West

Cemetery in the saltbush, Port Augusta West

Grey (White) Mangroves on the gulf

Arid Botanic Gardens, Port Augusta

Old Man Saltbush

Several years ago we drove through outback New South Wales. How anyone could think the outback dreary beats me. The variety of geography and plant life is amazing. In one area south of Hay it's very flat and saltbush is about the only thing that grows there. I couldn't go past the black cows against the grey-blue saltbush without photographing them.

Last weekend we visited a cousin at Drummartin north of Bendigo. He has planted saltbush in the house paddock as a trial alternative stock food. Saltbush is quite edible and nutritious, just a little salty. He lops the top of the shrubs occasionally so that the available leaves are at sheep level. He's also planted a couple to shade the dog kennels. I have also planted one in my garden - we're on water restrictions so a plant that can survive the toughest of droughts might be all that survives here. Mine is the Old Man Saltbush Atriplex mummularia. I'm not sure which saltbush is growing on the farm.