Southern Sea Blite, Annual seepweed

Suaeda linearis

Physical Characteristics

Suaeda linearis is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

N. America - Florida to Texas and north to south Maine.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Leaf tips - cooked and also used as a flavouring[177]. A salty flavour. Seed - raw or cooked. They are ground into a meal and used as a mush or added to cereals and used in making bread[177]. The seed is about 2mm in diameter[270].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known