Practical
Plants

Sarcobatus vermiculatus

Greasewood

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Sarcobatus genus in the family Chenopodiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
2.7 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoots - cooked[1][3]. Used as greens[7]. The young twigs are cut into short pieces and boiled until tender[4]. The seeds are occasionally consumed[8][1][3][4]. They are used as a food at times when other foods are in short supply[7].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The crushed leaves have been used to treat insect bites[7]. An infusion of the burnt plant has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and bleeding from the rectum[7]. The wood or the roots can be heated until they are burnt or blackened and then used on aching and decayed teeth[7].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Stings

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The wood is used for fuel, for want of better materials in the areas where it grows wild[6]. The wood is strong[7]. It has been used in general construction[7].

Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Nebraska and Wyoming to Nevada and New Mexico.
Habitat
Dry alkaline and saline soils[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood are worth trying in July/August.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant[5], succeeding in a sunny position in most well-drained soils[2][5]. Tolerates alkaline and saline soils[2]. Plants can be dioecious or monoecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩1↩2

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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