Suaeda californica
a perennial member of the Suaeda genus in the family Chenopodiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Chenopodiaceae
- Genus
- Suaeda
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
One report says that either the seed or the leaves are edible[1].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Seed
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America.
- Habitat
- Coastal salt marshes[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - we have no information on this species but it would probably succeed from an outdoor sowing in mid spring in situ. Only just cover the seed. If you only have a small quantity of seed then it would be safer to sow this in a cold frame in the winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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 could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. It dislikes shade, see the plants native range for other ideas on its cultivation needs.
References
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00