| Salsola | |
|---|---|
| Salsola oppositifolia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Subfamily: | Salsoloideae |
| Genus: | Salsola L. |
| Species | |
|
24-25 species; see text. |
|
Salsola is a genus of the subfamily Salsoloideae in the family Amaranthaceae. A common name of various members of this genus (and related genera) is saltwort, for its salt tolerance.
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The species of Salsola are mostly subshrubs, shrubs, and small trees, rarely annuals. The leaves are mostly alternate, rarely opposite, simple and entire. The bisexual flowers have 5 tepals and 5 stamens. The pistil ends in two stigmas. The fruit is spherical, with a spiral embryo and lacking a perisperm.[1] [2][3]
The genus name Salsola was first published in 1753 by Carl von Linné in Species Plantarum . Type species is Salsola soda L..
The genus Salsola belongs to Tribus Salsoleae s.s. of the subfamily Salsoloideae in the family Amaranthaceae. Based on molecular phylogenetic research of Akhani et al. 2007 [4], the extremely species-rich genus in its former circumscription was completely re-classified (see under Salsoloideae).
Synonyms of Salsola s.s. are: Darniella Maire & Weiller, Fadenia Aellen & Townsend, Neocaspia Tzvelev, Hypocylix Wol., Seidlitzia Bunge ex Boiss., Salsola sect. Coccosalsola Fenzl subsect. Coccosalsola and Salsola sect. Obpyrifolia Botsch. & Akhani.
The genus Salsola s.s. comprises since Akhani et al. 2007 [4] 24-25 species:
The genus Salsola (s.s.) is distributed in Central-Asia and Southwest-Asia, North-Africa and the Mediterranean. [4]
Salsola soda, known in Italy as "Barba di Frate" or "Agretti", ca be used as vegetable, with the young leaves and shoots beeing cooked. Salsola soda is also used for the production of potash. [5]