Suaeda calceoliformis (Hook.) Moq.
seablite (pahute weed; Pursh seepweed)
Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)
(Previously in Chenopodiaceae)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Bryan Kelly-McArthur     (Photo ID #87116)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Suaeda calceoliformis
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Annual herb from a taproot; stems decumbent to erect, solitary, freely branched from the base, 20-50 cm tall/long.
Leaves:
Stem leaves alternate, fleshy, glaucous, narrow and rounded, 1-3 cm long, reduced gradually during flowering, upper leaves reduced, scarcely 5 mm long.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of small, stalkless, greenish flowers, solitary in the axils of the bracts; calyx lobes unequal, 1 or more becoming keeled or crested.
Fruits:
Thin, papery-walled, membranous envelopes; seeds horizontal, black, smooth or fine wrinkled, 1.0-1.7 mm wide.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Suaeda calceoliformis

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
845 285 1240
Slope Gradient (%)
2 0 25

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

234 50 332
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
5 3 7
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
F
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
31
Modal BEC Zone Class
IDF

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

BG(1), IDF(18), PP(10), SBPS(1)

Habitat and Range

Wet salt marshes, beaches and saline and alkaline habitats in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent in SC and SE BC, rare along the coast; N to YT, E to NF and S to TX and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Dondia depressa auct. non (Pursh) Britt. [misapplied]
Schoberia occidentalis S. Wats.
Suaeda americana (Pers.) Fernald
Suaeda depressa auct. non (Pursh) S. Watson
Suaeda depressa var. erecta S. Wats.
Suaeda maritima var. americana (Pers.) B. Boivin
Suaeda minutiflora S. Wats.
Suaeda occidentalis (S. Wats.) S. Wats.