Suaeda fruticosa
Shrubby Seablite
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Suaeda genus in the family Chenopodiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Chenopodiaceae
- Genus
- Suaeda
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 1 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Wind, Self
Uses
Edible uses
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A salty flavour[K]. Seed - raw or cooked.
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Preparation
- Raw, Cooked
- Product or use
- Vegetable
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A salty flavour. This information is an unreferenced piece of information from the PFAF database. More information is needed.
- Plant part
- Seed
- Preparation
- Raw, Cooked
Seed - raw or cooked. This information is an unreferenced piece of information from the PFAF database. More information is needed.
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.
The leaves are used as a poultice in the treatment of ophthalmia[3]. When infused in water, they have been used as an emetic[3].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Emetic, Ophthalmic
Material uses
The plant is rich in potassium and is often burnt as a source of potash for making soap and glass[4].
- Plant part
- Whole plant
- Preparation
- Burnt
- Product or use
- Potash
Environment
- Range
- Coasts of Europe, from France and Britain southwards. Central and southwestern Asia, Africa.
- Habitat
- Sandy soils, salty or otherwise, along the coast[2]. Plants do not grow below the line of the spring high tides[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- False
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ.
Cultivation
Dislikes shade. Succeeds in saline soils and tolerates maritime exposure.
References
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9