Suaeda splendens

Parlak cirim

Annual, 10-40cm tall, erect or ascending, glaucous-crystalline, glabrous, youngest parts with fugacious hairs. Stem much-branched from base, branches erect or ascending, pale, terminating in long, spike-like inflorescences. Leaves linear, sessile. 10-15 x 1-2 mm, highly succulent, semi-terete or almost terete, acute to acuminate. usually with a 0.5-1.2 mm long caduceus bristle, in dried condition with distinct white margins. Bracts leaf-like, upwards gradually shorter. Flowers 3-5, in dense axillary clusters, globular, very unequal in size. bisexual and pistillate. Tepals very succulent, green along veins, obtusely keeled, cucullate, in fruiting stage enlarged and giving perianth a ± stellately angled form when seen from upper side. Stamens 5 or less by abortion, anthers 0.5-0.9 mm long. Ovary peur-shaped; stigmas 3, inserted in sunken centre of collar-like apex of ovary. Seeds usually horizontal, 0.9-1.2 mm long. 0.7-1.0 mm wide, biconvex; testa black, glossy, smooth. 2n=18. Fl. 6-8. Coastal salt-marshes, preferably on soils rich in clay and organic neuter, 0-10 m.

From Portugal eastwards along the northern shores of the Mediterranean to Israel, with larger gaps. Medit. element.