BROOM SEEPWEED
File Size: 125 KB
 
Suaeda calceoliformis   (Hook. ) Moq.
[=Suaeda depressa  (Pursh ) S. Wats.]
Sumner County, Kansas
Annual
Height: 4-40 inches
Family: Amaranthaceae - Amaranth Family
Flowering Period:   July, August, September,October
Also Called: Sea-blite, horned seepweed.
Stems: Decumbent to ascending or erect, usually branched from base, glabrous, glaucous.
Leaves: Cauline, alternate, simple; petiole absent; blade subterete or terete, linear, .4 to 1.6 inch long, .02 to .06 inch wide, base slightly narrowed, margins entire, tip acute to apiculate, without spine-like bristle, surfaces glabrous, glaucous.
Inflorescences: Axillary glomerules arranged in compound spike; bracts leaf-like, .08 to .5 inch, acute to apiculate, without spine-like bristle at tip.
Flowers: Bisexual, sometimes also unisexual flowers; tepals 5, 1 or 3 usually larger than others, connate 1/2 their lengths, fleshy, keeled or narrowly winged and horned distally; petals 0; stamens 5; styles usually 2; stigmas usually 2.
Fruits: Utricles; seeds of 2 types; black, lenticular, .03 to .07 inch or brown, flat, .04 to .06 inch.
Habitat: Saline or alkaline marshes and wetlands, shores of reservoirs.
Distribution: West 2/3 of Kansas
Origin: Native
Uses: The Paiute used the seeds for food.

Broom seepweed
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Sumner County, Kansas
Broom seepweed inflorescence
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Sumner County, Kansas
Broom seepweed
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Sumner County, Kansas
Broom seepweed
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Broom seepweed
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Sumner County, Kansas
Broom seepweed
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Sumner County, Kansas