Salsola soda - Flora of Qatar

Opposite-leaved saltwort, Persian seablite, Suaeda heteroptera, Suaeda iranshahrii var. arabica, Suaeda maritima

My notes

According to a recent publication, it should be called Suaeda iranshahrii var. arabica.

Salsola soda, more commonly known in English as opposite-leaved saltwort, oppositeleaf Russian thistle, or barilla plant, is a small (to 0.7 m tall), annual, succulent shrub that is native to the Mediterranean Basin. It is a halophyte (a salt-tolerant plant) that typically grows in coastal regions and can be irrigated with salt water.[+]

The plant has great historical importance as a source of soda ash, which was extracted from the ashes of Salsola soda and other saltwort plants. Soda ash is one of the alkali substances that are crucial in glassmaking and soapmaking. The famed clarity of 16th century cristallo glass from Murano and Venice depended upon the purity of "Levantine soda ash," and the nature of this ingredient was kept secret. Spain had an enormous 18th century industry that produced soda ash from the saltworts (barrilla in Spanish). Soda ash is now known to be predominantly sodium carbonate. In 1807, Sir Humphry Davy isolated a metallic element from caustic soda; he named the new element "sodium" to indicate its relationship to "soda." Before soda was synonymous (in U.S. English) with soft drinks, the word referred to Salsola soda and other saltwort plants, and to "sodas" derived from soda ash.

While the era of farming for soda ash is long past, Salsola soda is still cultivated as a vegetable that enjoys considerable popularity in Italy and with gourmets around the world. Its common names in Italian include barba di frate, agretti, and liscari sativa (short: lischi or lischeri). Of its culinary value, Frances Mayes has written that "Spinach is the closest taste, but while agretti has the mineral sharpness of spinach, it tastes livelier, full of the energy of spring."

AI-generated Description

Salsola soda, also known as opposite-leaved saltwort or barilla plant, is a succulent shrub native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia. In Qatar, it has been found growing in coastal areas, particularly in saline soils and sabkhas (salt flats). Studies have reported its presence in various locations across the country, including the north-eastern coast and offshore islands. The plant's ability to thrive in harsh, salty environments makes it a notable component of Qatar's flora, contributing to the country's unique biodiversity.

AI-generated summary of observations

Observations of Salsola soda in Qatar revealed various stages and colors of the plant throughout different times of the year. Red seedlings were seen on Umm Tays Island in March 2014, while purple-tinged plants were observed on the same island later that month. On Purple Island, reddish plants were spotted in September 2014, with close-up views showing details of the plant's structure. The plant was also seen with flowers or seeds in November 2014 and displayed fall colors later that month. Seedlings were observed in February 2015, and the plant continued to be present on Purple Island through 2015 and 2016, with observations recorded in August 2015, May 2016, and June 2016, showcasing its presence on the beach and littoral areas.

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Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.

Salsola soda L.

Common names