Salsola kali L.

Code

SASKA

Growth form

Broadleaf

Biological cycle

Annual

Habitat

Terrestrial

Algeria: Salsola kali germinates in late spring and flowers from July to October.
Morocco: Salsola kali flowers from May to September.

Salsola kali is an annual plant.

Salsola kali reproduces by seed.

Salsola kali is a clithochorous species (seeds dispersed at short distance).

Algeria: Salsola kali is a fairly rare species in the various perennial crops (orchards and vineyards) in the north of the country, also occupying ruderal habitats (roadsides, wasteland, salty mud, alluvial fans, etc.). Preference for sandy to silty soils, more or less nitrophilous and halophilous (from the Latin salsus = salty: plant of salty places).
France - Camargue: Salsola kali can be found between salt ponds and sansouires, but is mainly found on coastal dunes.
Morocco: Salsola kali is a common species in pastures on sandy soil, dunes, wadi beds and coastal sands, as well as in gravel and salty seeps in the interior of the country.
South Africa: Salsola kali grows in dry grasslands, disturbed or uncultivated areas, roadsides, on sandy soil. Widespread in dry, rocky areas.

Local harmfulness

Algeria: Salsola kali is a minor "weed". Infrequent and not very abundant, it is not generally a problem for crops.
South Africa: Salsola kali is a very problematic plant, tough and unappetising, blocking rainwater drainage channels and competing with native species. It can rapidly colonise new areas, particularly overgrazed, bare and eroded soils. The plants are unpalatable, leading to selective grazing by domestic livestock, which exacerbates existing overgrazing and paves the way for further invasion of ragweed. It is present in the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces.

Local harmfulness

Algeria: Salsola kali is a minor "weed". Infrequent and not very abundant, it is not generally a problem for crops.
South Africa: Salsola kali is a very problematic plant, tough and unappetising, blocking rainwater drainage channels and competing with native species. It can rapidly colonise new areas, particularly overgrazed, bare and eroded soils. The plants are unpalatable, leading to selective grazing by domestic livestock, which exacerbates existing overgrazing and paves the way for further invasion of ragweed. It is present in the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces.

Food: The salty-tasting young shoots of Salsola kali, harvested in June, can be eaten raw or cooked.

Industry: Salsola kali is very rich in potassium and sodium, and its ash ("blanquette" or "salicor" in France, "barilla" in Spain, "rochetta" in Sicily, etc.) has been used since ancient times to make soap and glass, hence its name "glass herb".