The seeds are edible, and the shoots, stalks, and leaves can be eaten as greens.[4] The 1889 book 'The Useful Native Plants of Australia records that common names include "Australian Spinach" and "Fat-hen". It also states that it is a "pot-herb", which may be utilised in the same manner as spinach.[5] It is called oñk i:waki in Oʼodham, 'salt greens'. Although an introduced plant, it has become a summer green commonly collected from the wild -one of the hottest and more arid areas of North America.[6]