Salsola kali

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern reaches of the European continent. In the region of Northern Europe, it can be found growing in the coastal or inland areas of Denmark. Its presence extends further north into the territories of Finland and Norway. Additionally, the species is documented within the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. These locations highlight its ability to thrive within the particular climates found in these northernmost territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Salsola kali is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1200 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to disturbed environments, frequently colonizing anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) where human activity has modified the natural landscape. Furthermore, the plant possesses biological defense mechanisms, as indicated by its positive status for defense traits, which aids in its survival within these varied and often challenging ecological niches.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Salsola kali is characterized by its existence as an annual plant, completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. Functioning as a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable periods of its environment through specialized seed dispersal rather than maintaining persistent above-ground structures. This species is distinctly deciduous, shedding its foliage as it completes its life cycle, which is a common adaptation to the arid or seasonal habitats it inhabits. As a therophyte, its life strategy focuses on rapid growth and prolific seed production to ensure the continuation of the species before the onset of environmental stress.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Salsola kali is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb and forb, which functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine. It is an independent species, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. The plant exhibits an ascending shoot orientation and reaches varying heights, with a minimum height of 0.02 m, a mean height of 0.512 m, and a maximum height of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.512 m

Plant height min:

0.02 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Salsola kali is characterized by specialized adaptations for efficiency in arid environments, most notably through its C4 photosynthetic pathway, which allows for enhanced carbon fixation under high temperature and light intensity. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy and does not function as a nitrogen fixer. Morphologically, its leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern, with dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 1 cm to a maximum length of 4 cm. The average leaf size is recorded at 0.625 cm², and the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 95.5 cm²/g, reflecting its structural leaf density and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

0.625 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

95.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Salsola kali is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers that typically feature a yellow coloration. The flowering period is relatively concentrated, beginning in July and concluding in August, with individual flowers measuring between 0.4 cm and 0.6 cm in width. The plant utilizes both abiotic and biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on wind and insects to facilitate fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is absent. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits categorized as achenes. These fruits are highly prolific, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds per fruit. The seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.008058875 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.0015 g to a maximum of 0.01545 g), a consistent width of 1.75 mm, and a uniform volume of 1.7 mm³. Dispersal is primarily an anemochorous process, meaning the seeds are spread by the wind. There is no evidence of asexual reproduction in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower width max:

0.6 cm

Flower width min:

0.4 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.01545 g

Seed mass mean:

0.008058875 g

Seed mass min:

0.0015 g

Seed volume max:

1.7 mm³

Seed width mean:

1.75 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Salsola kali has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Microscopy research and technique

Stem

1. Microscopy research and technique