Bluebush
Bluebush and Other Chenopod Shrublands
Bluebush (Maireana & Chenopodium) and saltbush (Atriplex) communities occupy a wide range of soils and landforms in relatively small areas of the NT arid zone. The areas occupied are alkaline with high pH values due to carbonates and other salts. Low rainfall primarily in the winter is a key environmental factor while Bluebush swamps occur most extensively in the summer rainfall arid zone.
Bladder saltbush Atriplex vesicaria , a low shrub, is often dominant in areas of texture contrast soils with pockets of Mitchell grass and Eragrostis sp. Bluebush Maireana astrotricha is often present in limestone areas, while Cottonbush M.aphylla occurs in areas liable to flooding. Old Man Saltbush A.nummularia, the largest saltbush which reaches 2m high, is found on well-watered areas with saline soils. Queensland bluebush Chenopodium auricomum occurs on seasonally inundated clay soil swamps, floodouts and freshwater lake shores and is associated with other wetland species.
Total area
11 994 km2
Presence in conservation areas
Trephina gorge and Simpsons Gap (Atriplex nummularia - tiny areas)
Watarrka (Atriplex vesicaria, Maireana astrotricha and M. aphylla)
Connels Lagoon (Chenopodium auricomum - small areas in small reserve.
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Threats
Overutilisation by introduced herbivores. Herbivores reduce shrub cover and increase ephemeral species (grasses and herbs) that are capable of carrying fire in otherwise seldom burned habitats.
Further reading
- Brock, C. (2000) Biogeography of birds and plants in chenopod shrublands in the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory. Honours thesis, faculty of science, Northern Territory University.
- Graetz, R. D., Wilson, A. D (1980). "Comparison of the diets of sheep and cattle grazing a semi-arid chenopod shrubland." Australian Rangeland Journal 2(1): 67-75.
- Graetz, R. D., Wilson, A. D. (1984). Chapter 14: Saltbush and Bluebush. Management of Australia's Rangelands. G. N. Harrington, Wilson, A. D., Young, M. D., CSIRO Publishing.
- Grice, A. C. and S. J. Muir (1988). "Biology and management of saltbush and other chenopods : A review of current Australian literature on chenopods with emhasis on features of agricultral significance." NSW Agricalture & Fisheries Division of Plant Industries. (Report Series no. 3): ISSSN: 1031-7279.
- Lange, R. T., A. D. Nicolson, et al. (1984). "Vegetation management of chenopod rangelands in South Australia." Aust. Rangel. J. 6(1): 46-54.
- Latz, P. (1995). Bushfires and bushtucker. IAD Press, Alice Springs. 400pp.
- Leigh, J. H., Mulham, W. E. (1971). "The effects of defoliation on the persistance of Atriplex vesicaria." Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 22(239-44).
- White,M., Albrecht,D., Duguid,A., Latz,P., and Hamilton,M. (2000). Plant Species and sites of botanical significance in the southern bioregions of the Northern Territory; volume 1: significant vascular plants. A report to the Australian Heritage Commission from the Arid Lands Environment Centre. Alice Springs, Northern Territory of Australia.