About Chenopodium candolleanum (Moq.) S.Fuentes & Borsch
Chenopodium candolleanum is a dense shrub that grows up to 2 meters tall. Its thick, almost succulent leaves are shiny green on the upper surface and paler on the underside. Leaves measure 1 to 3 cm long and 4 to 12 mm wide, with the widest portion located toward the leaf base. Small pale flowers grow in panicles, and flower from December to April, which corresponds to early summer to mid autumn within the species' native range. After flowering, it produces flattened dark-red fruits that reach up to 4 mm in diameter. The species is distributed across Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. The nominate subspecies Chenopodium candolleanum subsp. candolleanum is a coastal plant that grows on cliffs and dunes, often scrambling among other shrubs. The other subspecies, Chenopodium candolleanum subsp. argenteum, grows near inland salt lakes. The leaves of this species can be cooked and eaten. Aboriginal people are recorded to have consumed the bitter berries of the plant.
