Salicornia perennans Willd.

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2016) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 1: Elatinaceae to Sphenocleaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Plant reddish-green in fruit, tips of branches more distinctly red Erect annual herb, 10–30(–40) cm, usually considerably branched and bushy from base upwards, branches mostly spreading at an angle of 44–60°, the lowest as long as main stem in the best-developed forms

Morphology Stem

Mature internodes of main stem and branches mostly 1–1.2 cm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts with a narrow scarious border

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences obtuse, fertile segments 5–12(–16) Cymes 3-flowered visible part of lateral and central flowers subequal in size; base of central flower forming an angle of  90°; central flower ± 1.5 mm, larger than laterals

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen solitary, anthers ± 0.5 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigmas 0.8–1 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 1–1.2 mm, compressed-ovoid, brown, with thin hair-like outgrowths.

Note

The taxonomy of the genus Salicornia is critical, and not at all well known even in W Europe, where it has been studied fairly effectively. In the Middle East it has scarcely been investigated at all. Thus the identity of the Iraqi plants partially remains questionable in respect to the presence of the morphologically cryptic species, and other taxa, especially S. persica Akhani can be encountered in our area.

Ecology

Salt flats and salt marshes; alt. 0–10 m;

Phenology

Flowering: Sep.–Nov.

Distribution

Iraq: Rather local in desert and subdesert areas. Europe, W Asia.

Vernacular

?HUMMAIR or ?HUMMAIDH (Guest et al. 16148): “eaten only by camels”; ?THILAIDH (anon. 3546, Hit): “eaten by camels”.