Suaeda calceoliformis (Sea-Blite) - photos and description
Stem
leaves in above photo
Form 'depressa' in above photo.
Looking straight down on plant, form 'depressa' in above photo.
Looking straight down on plant, form 'depressa' in above photo.
General: Leaves fleshy, linear. Leaf measured at 20
mm long by 2 mm wide. In late summer, plants turn very dark, almost black.
Budd's Flora lists two forms for this species 'erecta'
shown above has an upright growth habit, while the form 'depressa' has a
low, spreading growth habit.
Flowers: Flowers small, greenish to purplish in colour, grow in congested clusters in axils of bracts on upper branches.
Leaves: Leaves cauline, alternate, fleshy, more or less circular in profile, linear to linear-lanceolate. Leaf measured at 20 mm long by 2 mm wide.
Height: Height listed in Flora of Alberta to 50 cm, we measured plants of form 'erecta' to 80 cm tall, and plants of form 'depressa' to 3.5 cm tall, and 7 cm long.
Habitat: Edges of saline sloughs, and saline flats.
Abundance: Common.
Origin: Native.
When and where photographed: Photos taken July 19th, saline soil around small wetland, Old Man On His Back, about 500 km southwest of Regina, SK, September 4th, pasture about 40 km east of Regina, SK, and, September 8th, saline flat near Little Quill Lake, 200 km north of our home in Regina, SK.