Ganna saltbush

Ganna (Salsola): This plant is also called the saltbush. All species of the Chenopodiceae family are fairly similar to one another and almost impossible to distinguish. Beetroot and spinach belong to this family and are saline tolerant. The differences range from herbs to shrubs that can grow up to 3.5m. Their habitat range is fairly widespread and they grow in the Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park, Walvis Bay, Luderitz and Fish River Canyon. Scattered population can be found in southern Namibia.

The stems and leaves are mainly a dull and light-green to greyish in colour. As the leaves are tightly grouped on the stems and shoots, they give off a 'knobbly appearance'. Small flowers are usually obscure because they are hidden in the leaf axils, near the tips of leafy stems and shoots. The larvae of the Tinktinkie Blue butterfly feed on the leaves of this plant.