Seablite

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Arabian Jointed Glasswort
• Seablite

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Suaeda volkensii
• Salsola forskahlii
• Suaeda helenae
• Suaeda mesopotamica
• Suaeda paulayana
• Salsola helenae
• Suaeda mollis
• Chenopodium alexandrinum
• Lerchia obtusifolia
• Lerchia vermiculata
• Salsola annularis
• Salsola globulifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, falling into the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Suaeda, specifically as the species Suaeda vermiculata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions in the Mediterranean basin. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is specifically noted in Spain. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species can be found inhabiting Sicilia. Its range extends significantly into Northern Africa, where it is documented in Algeria. Furthermore, the plant is also widely distributed throughout the North African territories of Libya and Egypt.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Suaeda vermiculata is characterized by its adaptation to low-lying environments, specifically occupying a narrow altitudinal niche. This species is typically found within an elevational range that begins at 0 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 100 m AMSL. Such a distribution pattern suggests that the plant is highly specialized for coastal or lowland habitats, often thriving in saline or arid conditions common to these near-sea-level zones. Its presence in these low-altitude ecosystems indicates a tolerance for specific soil compositions and moisture levels associated with the transition between terrestrial and maritime environments.

Elevational range max:

100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Suaeda vermiculata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, protected by the substrate or leaf litter. This champhyte designation is consistent across its morphological categorization, defining its ability to endure varying environmental conditions through its low-growing, resilient architecture.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Suaeda vermiculata is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth habit, functioning as a subshrub that does not require external support. As a terrestrial species, it maintains an independent life cycle without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant's stature is relatively low, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, though it reaches a mean height of approximately 1.3 m in certain contexts. Its structural composition is defined by its woody nature, which supports its development as a stable, non-climbing subshrub.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

1.3 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Suaeda vermiculata is characterized by specialized adaptations to arid environments, most notably through its C4 photosynthetic pathway, which allows for efficient carbon fixation under high temperatures and limited water availability. The plant exhibits significant succulence, a key physiological trait used to facilitate water storage within its tissues. Its foliage is defined by an alternate leaf arrangement, featuring small, highly specialized leaves that range in length from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm. To minimize transpirational water loss, these leaves maintain a very low profile in terms of thickness, with measurements varying between a minimum of 0.1 mm and a maximum of 0.2 mm.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf length max:

0.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.2 cm

Leaf thickness max:

0.2 mm

Leaf thickness min:

0.1 mm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Succulence :

yes

Reproduction

The reproduction of Suaeda vermiculata is characterized by a flowering period that begins as early as March and can extend through October, though the timing remains variable throughout the year. The plant produces small, yellow flowers that feature a maximum width of approximately 0.4 cm. These flowers are organized in a cyme inflorescence, which facilitates the pollination process during its active blooming season.

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower width max:

0.4 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Oct

Inflorescence :

cyme

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Suaeda vermiculata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pheophytin a, quercetin, Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside.

Pheophytin a

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

quercetin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Suaeda vermiculata has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidepressant, Anxiolytic, Cytotoxic, Hepatoprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidepressant

1. Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry

Anxiolytic

1. Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry

Cytotoxic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatoprotective

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Conditions

Suaeda vermiculata has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include jaundice, MCF-7 cells, hepatocellular carcinoma, inflammation, liver diseases.

Jaundice

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry

Mcf-7 cells

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Inflammation

1. Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry

Liver diseases

1. Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry

Preparations

Suaeda vermiculata has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous and ethanol extracts, Aqueous-Ethanolic Extract, aqueous-ethanolic extract, chloroform extract, mother liquor aqueous-ethanolic extract.

Aqueous and ethanol extracts

1. Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry

Aqueous-ethanolic extract

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Aqueous-ethanolic extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chloroform extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Mother liquor aqueous-ethanolic extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)