Suaeda salsa
Family: Chenopodiaceae
What it is like
Suaeda salsa is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Maritime or, more rarely, continental solonchaks. Saline and alkaline soils of beaches ad lakeshores in northern China.
Europe to E. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Leaves - raw or cooked. A salty flavour. Seed - cooked whole or ground into a powder. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails. The small seed is about 0.8 - 1.5mm in diameter.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. It dislikes shade, see the plants native range for other ideas on its cultivation needs.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist