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Salsola_soda - L.

Common Name Barilla Plant. Oppositeleaf Russian Thistle
Family Chenopodiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Maritime sands and salty soils near sea level in the Mediterranean and in Turkey[93, 100].
Range Europe - Mediterranean to W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Salsola_soda Barilla Plant. Oppositeleaf Russian Thistle


www.flickr.com/photos/lynkos/
Salsola_soda Barilla Plant. Oppositeleaf Russian Thistle
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Salsola_soda is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves and stems - cooked and used as a vegetable[46, 61, 183]. A crunchy tender texture[206].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The ashes of the burnt plant are used for making glass and soap[46, 61]. At one time large quantities of the ashes were imported into Britain for this purpose, but nowadays a chemical process using salt is employed[4].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. Plants are sometimes cultivated for the potash obtained from their stems[46, 61]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a very sunny position in a light or medium well-drained soil, it tolerates salty soils, occasional inundation by salt water and maritime exposure. Succeeds in poor soils and grows more vigorously on alkaline soils[206].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. The seed has a short viability and should be stored cool over the winter[206].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Iran (north), Israel, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation (Altay), Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, China (Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu) EUROPE: Germany, Hungary, Russian Federation (Kalmykija, Respublika, Orenburg, Rostov, Saratov, Volgogradskaja oblast), Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria (north)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Salsola sodaBarilla Plant. Oppositeleaf Russian ThistleAnnual0.6 -  LMNDM101

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

5093

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Tue Feb 14 2006

heyy people this is pretty interesting abouy Soda Plants

Jon Gunn   Sat Oct 14 2006

This plant has been burned for ash toe make caustic soda and soap since ancient times.

joseph davides   Wed Jun 4 2008

I know this plant 1946 is sold in the markets in egypt is good boillet salad addet lemon juise and olive oil and eated with frayet fish good apetite now I am growing it on my garden some time ego it was verry dear now is growing comertialy BY TO ALL

Bill   Wed Jan 13 2010

The term soda ash is derived from this plant and is sodium carbonate, Na2CO3. When the plant is burned, the CO2 mixes with the Na to form this compound used in glass making to lower the temperature of SiO2 from 2300C to 1500C saving energy. It has been suggested as a biodesalinator to be grown with other non-halophytes to sequester excess salt and allow other plants to grow in saline soils such as tomatoes.

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