Dissocarpus paradoxus is a shrub species of inland Australia, also known by the common names of cannonball burr or curious saltbush.

[3] The species was described and named (synonymous with Bassia paradoxa) by Robert Brown & Baron Ferdinand von Mueller.

[2] Dissocarpus paradoxus is a short lived perennial shrub growing to 50 cm high, with hairy leaves to 15mm long.

[5] Plants are short lived, and although specimens may be locally common, seasonal conditions can determine relative abundance of Dissocarpus paradoxus.

[5] Dissocarpus paradoxus is listed as 'of least concern' in Queensland and the Northern Territory,[7] and as 'not threatened in Western Australia.