Suaeda nigra

Suaeda nigra (formerly Suaeda moquinii)[1] is a species of flowering plant in the amaranth family known by the common names Mojave sea-blite[2] and bush seepweed.

Suaeda nigra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Suaeda
Species:
S. nigra
Binomial name
Suaeda nigra
Synonyms
  • Suaeda fruticosa
  • Suaeda intermedia
  • Suaed moquinii
  • Suaeda ramosissima
  • Suaeda torreyana

Distribution

Suaeda nigra is native to much of western North America, from central Canada through the Western United States, Great Basin, the Mojave Desert in California, and into northern Mexico. It grows in many types of habitat with saline and alkaline substrates, such as desert flats, playas, and seeps.

It is mostly an inland species but is occasionally seen in coastal areas, such as estuaries.[3]

Description

Suaeda nigra is a shrub or subshrub growing from a woody base with many spreading branches, reaching up to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in height. The plants may grow as annuals at times.

The species is genetically diverse and quite variable in appearance.[1] It may be hairy to hairless but is usually waxy. It may be green to red to dark purple in color, sometimes almost black. The fleshy leaves are linear to lance-shaped, 1 to 3 centimeters long, and flat or cylindrical.

Flowers occur in clusters along the upper stems, each cluster containing 1 to 12 flowers. Leaflike bracts accompany the clusters. The flower has no petals and is composed of a calyx of fleshy, rounded sepals.

The fruit is an utricle that grows within the calyx.

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References
  1. Flora of North America
  2. "Suaeda moquinii". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  3. Jepson


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