Hello again,

Coastal Saltbush spans Australia’s southern coastline from east to west. It’s remarkably resilient to harsh winds, sea spray and nutrient-poor soils, making it a useful species to help rehabilitate landscapes that have been cleared and degraded since colonisation and now suffer from dryland salinity. Its beautiful silvery foliage is fire-retardant so I cultivate it from cuttings and grow it in my garden – the Saltbush Blue Butterflies and Superb Fairywrens love it! And I also harvest it, to bring into my kitchen and onto my plate (mostly dried and crushed as a delicious nutritious salt), inspired by First Nations Elder Aunty Ngarrpadla Daphne Paringanki (River Woman), who generously shares her knowledge of native bush foods and her deep connection to Country.

Best wishes,
Janine Mackintosh
Assemblage Artist
Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Salt
Coastal Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea) leaves, linen thread and bookbinder’s gum on canvas
105 x 105 cm (framed)
Sold via online auction for $14,250 (Aus)