Alkali seepweed (Suaeda vera, Onomat. Bot. Compl. 8: 797 (1776))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.

Bibliography: Onomat. Bot. Compl. 8: 797 (1776)

Year: 1776

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Suaeda

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, NW. Europe to Medit.

Description

Alkali seepweed, known scientifically as Suaeda vera, is a resilient plant species belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. First classified in 1776, this plant has captured the interest of botanists for centuries, as evidenced by its detailed description in Forsskål’s work and later inclusion by J.F. Gmelin.

Suaeda vera thrives in specific geographic regions, predominantly found in Macaronesia and stretching from Northwestern Europe to the Mediterranean. The plant’s growth in these diverse areas highlights its adaptability to various climates and soil conditions, often prospering in saline environments where other vegetation struggles.

This species is distinguished by its succulent, fleshy leaves and compact, shrub-like structure, enabling it to conserve water efficiently. Alkali seepweed is an important ecological player in the areas it inhabits, contributing to soil stabilization and providing a habitat for various wildlife.

Further investigations into Suaeda vera’s characteristics and environmental contributions continue, expanding our understanding of its role within these ecosystems. Its presence serves as an indicator of soil health and salinity levels, making it a valuable species for ecological monitoring and conservation efforts.

Common Names

Dan: busk-strandgåsefod
Deu: echte sode
Spa: matomoro comun
Eng: alkali seepweed, shrubby sea-blite, shrubby seablite
Swe: busksaltört
Cym: llwyn helys, llwynhelys, llwyni helys
En: Alkali seepweed, Shrubby sea-blite, Shrubby Seablite
Ca: Salat fruticós
Da: Busk-strandgåsefod
Nl: Grote Zoutmelde
Fr: Soude ligneuse, Suéda fruticuleux, Soude vraie
De: Echte Sode, Strauch-Sode
He: אוכם אמיתי
It: Suaeda
Es: Matomoro comun, Almajo
Sv: Busksaltört
Cy: Llwyn Helys, Llwynhelys, Llwyni Helys

Synonyms

• Salsola anonyma ((J.F.Gmel.) Forsyth f.)
• Schoberia vera ((Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.) Bunge)
• Lerchia maritima var. fruticosa ((L.) Kuntze)
• Suaeda anonyma (J.F.Gmel.)
• Suaeda vesceritensis (L.Chevall.)
• Suaeda vera subsp. longifolia ((K.Koch) O.Bolòs & Vigo)
• Suaeda fruticosa var. purpurascens (Moq.)
• Cochliospermum fruticosum ((L.) Lag.)
• Salsola vera ((Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.) Forsyth f.)
• Salsola farinosa (Poir.)
• Suaeda fruticosa var. longifolia ((K.Koch) Fenzl)
• Suaeda laxifolia (Lowe)
• Lerchia fruticosa ((L.) M.Gómez)
• Suaeda fruticosa subsp. vera ((Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.) Maire & Weiller)
• Suaeda longifolia (K.Koch)
• Chenopodina vera ((Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.) Moq.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 31, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by John Woudt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2018 by Marion MICHEL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 2022 by christine Lesca Maillard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2021 by Lugifa Lugifa (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2020 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2021 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 20, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 22, 2022 by Albert Romero (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 11, 2019 by Maise Carreras (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2021 by blueplatypus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2021 by blueplatypus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − sdko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2022 by LOIC LMBS (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6035538)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:167588-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Suaeda vera Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 7

Soil salinity: 7