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Common Name: Saltwort

General Information

Salsola kali is an annual plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

The plant contains up to 5% oxalic acid, so it should only be used in moderation[]. Oxalic acid can lock up certain of the nutrients in food and, if eaten in excess, can lead to nutritional deficiencies. It is, however, perfectly safe in small amounts and its acid taste adds a nice flavour to salads. Cooking the plant will reduce the quantity of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[].

Botanical References

Range

Coastal Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, Asia and N. America

Habitat

Non-saline sandy beaches, avoiding acid soils. It is usually found on dry soils[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a very sunny position in a light or medium well-drained soil. Tolerates maritime exposure. The plant is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation in the range of 26 to 97cm, an annual temperature in the range of 9.2 to 23.8°C and a pH of 7.0 to 7.9[].
This species was seen growing in a sunny bed at Cambridge Botanical Gardens in 1987, we have also grown it on a number of occasions[].
This species is listed as a serious weed in many countries of the world[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and stems - raw or cooked[, , , ]. An excellent food[] with a crunchy tender texture[]. The leaves can be used as a spinach substitute or added in small quantities to salads[].
Seed - cooked. It can be ground into a meal and used as a gruel, thickener in soups etc or added to cereal flours when making bread etc[]. The seed is small and hard to collect any quantity[].

Medicinal

The juice of the fresh plant is an excellent diuretic[]. The seedpods can also be used[].
Salsolin, one of the constituents of the plant, has been used to regulate the blood pressure. It is said to resemble papaverine in its effect on vasoconstriction and hydrastine in its effect on the smooth muscles of the uterus[].
Reported to be cathartic, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant, and vermifuge, the plant is a folk remedy for dropsy and excrescences[].

Other Uses

The ashes of the burnt plant are used for making glass and soap[]. At one time large quantities of the ashes were imported into Britain for this purpose, but nowadays a chemical process using salt is employed[]. The ashes can also be used as a cleaner for fabrics[].
As a low-water-use plant, germinating quickly on minimally disturbed soils, and relatively free of diseases and parasites, this has been suggested as a fuel source for arid lands[]. Yields of around 3 tonnes per hectare of plant material have been achieved[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. The seed has a short viability and should be stored cool over the winter[].