Suaeda occidentalis
an annual member of the Suaeda genus in the family Chenopodiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Chenopodiaceae
- Genus
- Suaeda
- Life cycle
- annual
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Wind, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Wind, Self
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A salty flavour[1]. Seed - raw or cooked[1].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Seed
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - Washington to Colorado.
- Habitat
- Saline or alkaline flats and marshes in sagebrush areas[2].
- 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
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in situ.
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 should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. It dislikes shade, see the plants native range for other ideas on its cultivation needs.
References
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00