Southern Seablite, Austral Seablite
Suaeda australis

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A small succulent shrub. It grows 20-50 cm tall. It is woody at the base. It can be upright or spreading. The leaves are fleshy and green. They are 1-3 cm long by 2 mm wide. Older stems and leaves can be pink, red or purple. The leaves can be opposite or alternate. The upper leaves are smaller. The flowers are small and green. They are 3 mm across. The flowers are rounded and there are several together at the base of the uppermost leaves.

There are about 100 Suaeda species. Also put in the family Chenopodiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can grow in subtropical places. It grows on seashores or beach sandy places and mangrove forest margins. It grows in salt marshes. It grows among inter-tidal rocks. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves can be eaten raw. They can also be cooked. Boiling in several changes of water reduces the saltiness. They can also be pickled.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from cuttings. They need salty soils to grow well. They can also be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Nan fang jian peng

Synonyms

Chenopodium australe R. Br.; Suaeda maritima var. australis (R.Br.) Domin.;