| Soda stocksii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Soda |
| Species: | S. stocksii |
| Binomial name | |
| Soda stocksii (Boiss.) Akhani [1] | |
| Synonyms [2] [3] | |
Soda stocksii is a shrub species of the family Amaranthaceae (formerly classified under the Chenopodiaceae).
It is locally known as khar, meaning salty.
It was first described as a new species by Pierre Edmond Boissier in the 1859 Diagnoses plantarum orientalium novarum. [6] Phylogenetic analysis in 2007 revealed that the species did not belong to genus Haloxylon and had to be classified in the genus Salsola , [7] however, the correct name is given as Seidlitzia stocksii in Plants of the World Online . [2] It was recombined with, i.e. moved to, the genus Seidlitzia by Mostafa Assadi in 2001 and then to genus Soda in 2020. [4]
Soda stocksii belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae of the family Amaranthaceae.
Soda stocksii is a sturdy, glabrous or pruinose shrub 25–80 cm tall, its branches are prostrate or ascending. The distinct, sessile, spreading leaves are terete, fleshy, to 5 mm long and 1,5 mm in diameter. The opposite branches spread nearly horizontally. The inflorescences are wide panicles with 3–12 cm long spike-like branches with numerous flowers. Perianth segments are only 1,5 mm long. The 5 stamens are alternating with ovate staminodes. Fruiting, the perianth segments develop spreading brown wings, circa 6 mm in diameter. The seed diameter is 2,5–3 mm.
Seidlitzia stocksii is pollinated by small wild bees (Hymenoptera), that were observed to collect pollen (see photo). [8] The winged fruits are dispersed by the wind (anemochory).
Seidlitzia stocksii is distributed in Afghanistan, Pakistan and West India (Punjab, Rajasthan), where it grows on sandy or loamy saline soils (halophyte) and limestone hills. [3]
Seidlitzia stocksii is used as a source of crude sodium carbonate [3] (barilla or sajji-khar). The sajji-khar is added as an ingredient for unique taste of papad , a crispy flatbread. The ash of this plant is used as substitute of soap for cleaning clothes and is also taken with water for treatment of internal ulcers.
The Salsoloideae are a subfamily of the Amaranthaceae, formerly in family Chenopodiaceae.
Haloxylon ammodendron, variously called the saxaul, black saxaul, also spelled sacsaoul or saksaul is a plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. "Saksaul" is a common Turkic word that entered Russian through Kazakh.
Salsola is a genus of the subfamily Salsoloideae in the family Amaranthaceae. The genus sensu stricto is distributed in central and southwestern Asia, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. A common name of various members of this genus and related genera is saltwort, for their salt tolerance. The genus name Salsola is from the Latin salsus, meaning "salty".
Halothamnus is a genus in the subfamily Salsoloideae of the family Amaranthaceae. The scientific name means saltbush, from the Greek ἅλς (hals) "salt" and θαμνος (thamnos) "bush". This refers either to salty habitats or to the accumulation of salt in the plants. The genus is distributed from Southwest and Central Asia to the Arabian peninsula and East Africa.
Halothamnus subaphyllus is a species of the plant genus Halothamnus, that belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae within the family Amaranthaceae,. It occurs in Southwest and Central Asia.
Halothamnus glaucus is a species of the plant genus Halothamnus, that belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae of the family Amaranthaceae,. It occurs in Western and Central Asia.
Halothamnus auriculus is a species of the plant genus Halothamnus, that belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae of the family Amaranthaceae,. It occurs in Western and Middle Asia.
Halothamnus iranicus is a species of the plant genus Halothamnus that belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae of the family Amaranthaceae. It occurs in Southwest Asia.
Halothamnus hierochunticus is a species of the plant genus Halothamnus, that belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae within the family Amaranthaceae,. It occurs in Southwest Asia and is partly considered as a weed.
Halothamnus iliensis is a species of the plant genus Halothamnus, that belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae of the family Amaranthaceae,. It occurs in Central Asia.
Haloxylon is a genus of shrubs or small trees, belonging to the plant family Amaranthaceae. Haloxylon and its species are known by the common name saxaul. "Saksaul" is a common Turkic word that entered Russian through Kazakh.
Spinacia is a flowering plant genus in the subfamily Chenopodioideae of the family Amaranthaceae. The most common member is spinach.
Kali was a genus of plants in the subfamily Salsoloideae in the family Amaranthaceae, that has now been subsumed into the genus Salsola.
Anabasis is a genus of plants in the subfamily Salsoloideae of the family Amaranthaceae. It is distributed in southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
Halostachys is a genus of flowering plants in the plant family Amaranthaceae, containing a single species, Halostachys caspica. The plants are small to medium halophytic shrubs with apparently jointed fleshy stems and scale-like leaves. They are native to Asia and southeastern Europe.
Halocnemum is a genus of halophytic shrubs in the family Amaranthaceae. The plants are fleshy and apparently articulated with characteristic globular or short-cylindrical lateral branches, and reduced leaves and flowers. There are two species, occurring from Southern Europe and North Africa to Asia.
Halopeplis is a genus in the family Amaranthaceae. The plants are halophytes with not articulated stems and fleshy stem-clasping leaves. There are three species, occurring from the Mediterranean basin and North Africa to Southwest Asia and Central Asia.
Acroglochin persicarioides is a species of flowering plants in the plant family Amaranthaceae. It is distributed from the Himalayas to China. The systematic position of the genus Acroglochin in subfamily Betoideae is still uncertain.
Soda rosmarinus is a perennial-green desert species of saltwort in the Amaranthaceae family. It is endemic to the lower Jordan Valley along the Dead Sea, in Israel and Jordan, and in the Syrian desert, Central Iraq and in the coastal regions of Saudi Arabia, the islands of Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran, commonly known in Arabic by the names ʾušnān and šenān and in the Neo-Aramaic languages by reflexes of ʾuḥlā. It is often used by Bedouins for cleaning as a soap substitute. In medieval Arabic literature, it is also known by the names of "green ushnan" and "launderers' potash", having been used since time immemorial to produce nabulsi soap and as an electuary in compounding theriac for use in treating scorpion stings, as well as for extracting potassium for other medicinal uses.
Seidlitzia was genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Amaranthaceae, now considered a synonym of genus Soda. It is also in the Salsoloideae subfamily.