SUAEDA PALAESTINA

Family and Genus:- See- AMARANTHACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Suaeda (L) From the Arabic, suwed-mullah, for Suaeda baccata.

Palaestina (L) From Palestine, Palestinian.

General description:- Small hairless shrub.

Stem:-

1) Up to 120 cm.

Leaves:-

1) 5-18 x (0·8-)1-2·5 mm. semi-terete, (± flattened on the upper side) arcuate.

apiculate, sessile, glaucous.

Flowers:-

1) Solitary, shorter than the bracts.

1) Stigmas, 0·2-0·4 mm, connate at the base, flat, lobed, forming a complex peltate

capitate, structure.

2) Fruiting perianth, not inflated, usually green.

Fruit:-

1) Seeds, smooth, usually vertical.

Key features:-

1) Leaves, and bracts, arcuate.

2) Flowers, solitary.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Coastal habitats and open grassy areas close to the coast. 0-50 m.

Distribution:- Within the Aegean area known only from a single collection from the

small island of Koufonisi off SE Crete. A mainly native species occurring from

Palestine along the S Mediterranean shores to Tunisia.

Flowering time:- May.

Photos by:- Ralf Jahn