Suaeda aegyptiaca

(Hasselq.) Zohary

Egyptian sea blite

Amaranthaceae Edible: Leaves 103 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Suaeda aegyptiaca is a species of succulent plant in the family Amaranthaceae (formerly classified under the Chenopodiaceae), and salt-tolerant (halophyte) plant that is distributed in eastern North Africa, the Near East and West Asia. Local vernacular names for this plant in Qatar are juliman, guluman, ikhreet or hamd.

Description

A succulent plant. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30-50 cm high. The stems are closely packed with bright green leaves. The leaves are narrow and cylinder shaped and they curve upwards. The flowers are small and yellowish-green. They occur in clusters in the axils of the upper leaves. It varies a lot depending on water and soils.

Edible Uses

The young leaves are eaten raw as salad.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are eaten raw as salad.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A Mediterranean plant. It grows in sandy or gravelly soils with adequate moisture. It can tolerate highly salty soils. It grows near the seashore. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Yemen,

Other Information

It is sold in local markets.

Notes

Also put in the family Chenopodiaceae.

Synonyms

Chenopodium aegyptiacum Hasselq.Suaeda baccata Forsskal

Also Known As

Hamd, Hatallus, Rejla, Suweda

References (6)

Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
Karim, F. M. & Dakheel, A, J., 2006, Salt-tolerant plants of the United Arab Emirates. 2006. International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Dubai, UAE.
Norton, J., et al, 2009, An Illustrated Checklist of the Flora of Qatar. UNESCO Office in Doha.
Phillips, D.C., 1988, Wild Flowers of Bahrain. A Field Guide to Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees. Privately published. p 103
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1999). Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) database. Published on the Internet; http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal/internet [Accessed 8th April 2011] (As aegyptica)

Show all 6 references