Suaeda olufsenii

Suaeda olufsenii Paulsen

Suaeda olufsenii is an annual plant in the Chenopodiaceae family, native to regions including Afghanistan, Altay, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Mongolia, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, and the West Himalaya. It was first described by Paulsen in 1903. The plant grows up to 25 cm tall, with glabrous or slightly pubescent young parts and prostrate, branched stems. Leaves are semi-terete, up to 15.0 x 2.0 - 4.0 mm, and may have a minor mucro. Flowers are clustered in groups of 3 to 12, with bracteate inflorescences and bracts that are flat, ovoid, or elliptical.

Description

The perianth develops horizontal, wing-like projections during fruiting. The plant produces two seed types: dark-red seeds (0.9 - 1.0 mm in diameter) with acutish margins and polygonal surface sculpture, and brown seeds (1.1 - 1.5 mm) with a rugose surface. These morphological features distinguish Suaeda olufsenii within the Chenopodiaceae family.