Summary ⁶

Suaeda nigra (formerly Suaeda moquinii), commonly know as bush seepweed, is an annual or perennial flowering shrub species in the Amaranth family. This plant can vary in appearance and is genetically diverse.

Botanical Information ⁷

Suaeda nivea, known commonly as seepweed, is a leafy herb that looks somewhat like a softer, non-woody version of rosemary. It is part of the Chenopodiaceae family. There are around 110 species in the class Suaeda. Many species have thick, succulent leaves, a characteristic seen in different plant genera that flourish in salty soils. Suaeda is an annual herb with waxy green to red or striped, bi-colored stems growing up to 30 inches tall. It is in bloom from August to October. The species is bisexual (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by the wind.

Ecological Information ⁷

Suaeda nivea likes alkaline and saline soils and is often found in the desert and occasionally in waterfront areas. They are found at elevations less than 5200 feet. The do not grow well in the shade.

Ethnobotanical Information ⁷

In early post-medieval times, it was harvested and consumed and the cinders were were used as a source of sodium carbonate for use in glass-production. In Mexico, a similar species, Suaeda pulvinate, is cooked in conventional dishes known as romeritos. Romeritos is a dish from Central Mexico comprised of delicate sprigs of seepweed, which are bubbled and served in a mole sauce prepared with shrimp jerky.

References ⁸

Schenk, J. H., & Ferren Jr., W. R. (2012). Suaeda nigra. Jepson Flora Project (Eds.). Retrieved March 26, 2019, from https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=45847

United States Department of Agriculture. (2014). Suaeda nigra.. In
PLANTS Database. Retrieved February 1, 2022, from https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=SUMO

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, Sept 29). Suaeda nigra. Wikipedia. Retrieved March 26, 2019 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suaeda_nigra

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, Sept 29). Romeritos. Wikipedia. Retrieved March 26, 2019 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeritos

About the Author ⁷

Student author*: Nathan (age 16) from The International School at Mesa del Sol

*The entries in this field guide have been edited by Yerba Mansa Project staff to ensure that they contain quality, fact-checked content and standardized formatting. https://yerbamansaproject.org/

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Ruth Ann Pearsons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Ruth Ann Pearsons
2. (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/17429687856/
3. (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/ken-ichi/7239827684/
4. (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/16833018534/
5. (c) Patrick Alexander, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/aspidoscelis/13919059258/
6. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suaeda_nigra
7. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
8. Adapted by Kiley Spurlock from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Calflora
• CalPhotos
• eFloras.org
• Flora of North America (beta)
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
• Jepson eFlora
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• SEINet Symbiota portals
• Tropicos
• USDA PLANTS database
• VASCAN by Canadensys
• World Flora Online

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