''Enchylaena'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of two species of small perennial shrubs endemic to

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

. Plants of this genus are commonly known as barrier saltbushes. The genus was published by

Robert Brown Robert Brown may refer to: Robert Brown (born 1965), British Director, Animator and author Entertainers and artists * Washboard Sam or Robert Brown (1910–1966), American musician and singer * Robert W. Brown (1917–2009), American printmaker ...

in 1810, along with the species ''

Enchylaena tomentosa ''Enchylaena tomentosa'', commonly known as barrier saltbush or ruby saltbush, is a small native shrub of Australia. Description ''Enchylaena tomentosa'' grows as a small perennial shrub, up to a meter in diameter. Leaves are slender and cylindr ...

''. A number of putative species have been published since then, but all bar one have been transferred into other genera, or given synonymy with ''E. tomentosa''. The exception is '' Enchylaena lanata'', published by

Paul G. Wilson Paul Graham Wilson (January 1928 – 29 July 2024) was an Australian botanist. As of 1998, Wilson was the most prolific contributor to the journal ''Nuytsia (journal), Nuytsia'', contributing to the first issue in 1970 and to the 12th volume in ...

in 1984. Species List: *'' Enchylaena lanata'' *''

Distribution

''Enchylaena tomentosa'' is widely distributed throughout Australia. ''E. lanata'' is endemic to

Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...

References

* * * Amaranthaceae Caryophyllales of Australia Amaranthaceae genera {{Australia-eudicot-stub