Dillonbush
Nitraria billardierei DC.
Nitraria billardierei is a perennial shrub native to Australia, belonging to the Nitrariaceae family. It is commonly known as dillonbush and is found in New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. This shrub is often found in saline or disturbed areas. It produces edible fruit that are purple, red, or golden in color, which were consumed by indigenous Australians and can be made into jam or dried for storage.
Description
Nitraria billardierei is a shrub that grows up to 2 metres in height and 4 metres in width. It flowers mainly in spring and produces small ovoid or oblong drupes. The fruit have a salty grape-like taste and were sometimes eaten whole, including the stone, by the Wemba-Wemba people. The English name 'dillon' is derived from the Wemba-Wemba word 'dilanj'.
Other common names
Dillonbush
Distribution
New South Wales · Northern Territory · South Australia · Victoria · Western Australia
Synonyms
Nitraria schoberi var. billardierei
