Halogeton arachnoideus

Moq.

Amaranthaceae

iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) Jean-François Olivier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist · cc-by
(c) Urgamal Magsar, some rights reserved (CC BY)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Plant

The plant is burned to obtain soda, which is used as a cooking condiment — particularly for preparing foods such as noodles.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. It grows in arid places and in sandy soils.

Asia, China,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A herb. It grows 10-40 cm tall. The branches are alternate. They are grey-white and hairy when young. The leaves are 3-10 mm long by 1-2 mm wide.

How to Grow

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native habitat it is likely to succeed in many parts of the country, particularly the drier areas. It is likely to prefer a well-drained soil and a sunny position.

Propagation: Seed.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Annual plant growing to 0.3 m tall with flowers and seed ripening from July to August. Hermaphroditic flowers. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with a preference for well-drained conditions and poor nutritional soils. Grows in mildly acidic to basic soils. Can grow in semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.

Names & Synonyms

Micropeplis arachnoidea (Moq.) BungeSalsola aptera Hand.-Mazz.

References (2)