''Suaeda maritima'' is a species of flowering plant in the family

Amaranthaceae Amaranthaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the amaranth family, in reference to its type genus ''Amaranthus''. It includes the former goosefoot family Chenopodiaceae and contains about 165 genera and 2,040 species, making it ...

known by the common names herbaceous seepweed and annual seablite.

Description

It is a yellow-green shrub with fleshy, succulent leaves and green flowers. It grows to about 35 cm in

salt marsh A salt marsh or saltmarsh, also known as a coastal salt marsh or a tidal marsh, is a coastal ecosystem in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and open saltwater or brackish water that is regularly flooded by the tides. It is domin ...

es. Retrieved 5 September 2012. It is edible as a leaf vegetable, and due to its high salt content it can be used in combination with other foods as a seasoning. It is found worldwide, but in North America it is primarily located on the northern east coast.

Habitat

This plant resides in aquatic, terrestrial, and wetland habitats. But mainly in salt marshes and sea shores, usually below the high water mark. Additionally, ''Suaeda maritima'' is able to catch mud and help build up the marshes.

Development

The leaves are simple and arranged alternatively, with one leaf per node along the stem. Their leaves also absorb large amounts of salt and will turn red when oversaturated. The flower can be either radially symmetrical or bilaterally symmetrical.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of ''Suaeda maritima'' is known to be mainly annually. This plant will perform its entire life cycle from seed to flower then back to a seed within a single growing season. All roots, stems and leaves of the ''Suaeda maritima'' plant will die and the only thing that can bridge the gap between each generation is a dormant seed.

Medicine

There are currently no known medical sources that the ''Suaeda'' ''maritima'' plant is used for.

Food

The young leaves of sea blite can be consumed raw or cooked, although it has a strong salty flavor. The seeds can also be consumed raw or cooked. The ashes of the sea blite have been used to create a material used in making soap and glass.

References

maritima Halophytes Barilla plants Flora of Canada Flora of the Northeastern United States Flora of the Southeastern United States Flora of Malta Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{Amaranthaceae-stub