Sea Blite, Herbaceous seepweed, Rich's seepweed

Suaeda maritima

Physical Characteristics

Suaeda maritima is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

European coasts and saline areas inland, south from Norway to eastern Asia, E. Indies, N. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Young leaves - raw or cooked[2, 105, 177]. A pleasant salty flavour, they make a nice addition in small quantities to a salad[K]. They are often mixed with other vegetables in order to reduce their saltiness[183]. The young shoots are pickled in vinegar and eaten on their own or used as a relish[183]. Seed - raw or cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known