Chenopod shrublands cover 8% of the arid zone. Chenopods are salt tolerant xenomorphic (plant characteristics determined by ability to resist drought) shrubs, sub-shrubs or forbs. The leaves are frequently covered with scales or soft hairs; some are leafless with fleshy jointed stems. Many have pores, which excrete salt.

The gibber of Sturt's Stony Desert is chenopod shrubland, as are the tablelands around Woomera. Chenopods grow around salt lakes, claypans and interdunal corridors, anywhere where there is salinity. Saltbush (Atriplex sp.) is an extremely important plant as it provides perennial shrublands with a large distribution. Amongst the Atriplex is Atriplex Nummularia -Old Man Saltbush which reaches a height of 2 metres, and spreads 4-5 metres across. Bassia make up many of the burrs that can cause great discomfort in your swag, or when stepped upon with bare feet, especially Bassia paradoxa.

Enchylaena tomentosa or Ruby Saltbush has delicious berries, however the leaves have dangerously high levels of oxalate. The Bluebushes or Maireana have some beautiful hop like flowers, Mareana sedifolia known to grow for over 300 years. Samphire (Arthrocnemum) is a delicious salad vegetable, best blanched for 30 seconds in boiling water. Chenopod Shrubland provided the food required by the endangered Stick Nest Rat. Chenopod shrubland also provides grazing country for the Kangaroo, who graze the grasses and herbs growing between the chenopod after rain, and fall back on the chenopod at other times. Cattle and sheep do extremely well on chenopods, the meat from sheep develops a unique flavour when grazed on it. Chenopod shrublands are very simple eco systems. They appear barren, like the plains north of Port Augusta, and very little research has been done into their biodivesity, other than their stock fodder qualities.

Arid zone Chenopods have fascinating seed dispersal techniques.Sclerolina use animal dispersal - spiny fruits that stick in animal pads - interestingly none of the chenopods have hooks to attach to fur. Mariana have light fruit with papery wings that blow about. Sansola are rolly polly bushes that use the bush rolling to disperse - tumbleweed. Atriplex have wacky wings like mariana Rigodia and encolina all have fleshy fruits that attract birds.