Sarcocornia fruticosa (L.) A. J. Scott

Spice In the field In the field 2

Family: CHENOPODIACEAE

Genus: Sarcocornia

Sinònims: Arthrocnemum fruticosum (L.) Moq.

Catalan common name: Cirialera. Cirialera comuna. Grossa. Herba salada. Pollet. Solsona. Sosa grossa.

Spanish common name: Sosa alacranera.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Life-forms: Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Litoral marshes and riparian. Rocky coastlines.

Characteristics: An extensively branched bush , native to saline soils, as much salt flats as rocky coastline. Characterized by its young stems, which are fleshy and are articulated in nodes, green or of reddish hues. Leaves are reduced to small scales which are hardly visable. Flowers are grouped into threes per each node of the fertile branches, which are the topmost and so standout from the general profile of the plant. These flowers are small and only slightly apparent, and in fact each one occupies a cavity in the stem.This species is at times confused with Arthrocnemum macrostachys, which is of a very similar morphology and lives in the same environs; this species forms fertile branches without protuding above the general profile of the plant. Sarcocornia perennis can aslo cause some doubts, this species can be tld apart though, as it forms prostrate branches that take root into the substrate, while Arthrocnemum fruticosa above ground roots in contact with the soil do not form roots. Flowers at the end of spring until fall.