Salicornia L.

21. Salicornia L. 1

Annual, articulate herbs. Leaves and inflorescence like those of Arthrocnemum . Cymes (l-)3-flowered, connate with and completely immersed in the bract of the segment, the flowers arranged in a triangle, the laterals usually meeting below the central flower. Perianth 3- to 4-lobed; stamens 1-2. Seeds with thin membranous testa; endosperm very sparse.

All species occur in saline habitats, and it is possible that immersion in salt water is essential for the growth of some species. It is usually impossible to identify dried specimens with any reasonable degree of accuracy. As a result most Floras recognize only one species ( S. europaea L. or 5. herbacea (L.) L. ), although there can be little doubt that several occur in Europe. In recent years several accounts of the genus based on living material, but covering relatively small areas, have been published, but these cannot be satisfactorily correlated either taxonomically or nomenclaturally, even in N.W. Europe.

Literature: P. W. Ball & T. G. Tutin, Watsonia 4: 193-205 (1959). D. König, Mitt. Fl.-Soziol. Arbeitsgemeinschaft n.s. 8: 5—58 (I 960). J. Nannfeldt, Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 49: 97-109 (1955). R. de Soó, Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 6: 397-403 (1960).

1 Cymes 1 -flowered; infructescence disarticulating 4. pusilla 1 Cymes 3-flowered; infructescence not disarticulating

2 Anthers O-2-O- 5 mm, often not exserted; fertile segments with convex sides; lateral flowers smaller than the central

(1-3). europaea group 2 Anthers (0-5—)0-6—1 mm, always exserted; fertile segments

± cylindrical, sometimes with slightly concave sides; lateral flowers almost equalling the central (5-7). procumbens group

(1-3). S. europaea group. Plants usually red or purple in fruit; the uppermost primary branches straight, making an acute angle (usually less than 45°) with the main stem; terminal spike with 3-12(-22) fertile segments; fertile segments with convex sides, the lateral flowers of each cyme commonly appearing much smaller than the central flower; flowers often cleistogamous; stamens usually 1, rarely 0 or 2; anthers 0-2-0-5 mm, usually dehiscing before exsertion, or not exserted and persisting in the perianth; seeds 1-1-7 mm.

The specific limits within this group are obscure, and the genetic situation is not yet fully understood. Inbreeding is probably predominant, and this may account for a great deal of the local variation which occurs. The following appear to be the more distinct taxa:

1 Lowerfertilesegmentsoftheterminalspike3-5mm wideatthe narrowest point; upper edge with an inconspicuous scarious margin (not more than 01 mm wide) 1. europaea

1 Lower fertile segments of the terminal spike 2—3-5(—4) mm wide (or less) at the narrowest point; upper edge with a conspicuous scarious margin (c. 01-0-2 mm wide)

2 Lower fertile segments of the terminal spike 2-5-4 mm wide at the narrowest point and 3-5-3 mm wide at the widest (W. & N.W. Europe) 2. ramosissima

2 Lower fertile segments of the terminal spike 2-2-5 mm wide at the narrowest point, and 2-5-3 mm wide at the widest (E.C. & E. Europe) 3. prostrata