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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
Scientific Name: Suaeda australis
Common Name: southern seablite
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Amaranthaceae
Form Description: Upright or spreading low shrub, with succulent, opposite or alternate leaves, to 3cm long. Lower leaves often larger and red to purple, upper leaves yellowish. Stems are reddish.
Height (m): 0.2 – 0.8
Flowers: Small and pale green, about 3mm wide, in clusters arising from the axils.
Fruit: Achene – seed flattened, shiny and black.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widespread on the edges of coastal saltmarshes, also found in intertidal rock crevices.
General Notes
Thrives in moist, saline conditions. Fast-growing, good for stabilising saltmarsh and tidal creek edges. Also provides habitat for wading birds. The other Suaeda species in Tasmania, Suaeda maritima, is introduced; this is an annual shrub, 1 m high and often tinged pink or red, with leaves only about 1 mm wide.
Propagation Calendar
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Flowering Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Seed Collecting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Sowing Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Cutting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Collect seed when the flower heads are dry. The seed is released easily when rubbed between the palms of the hands.
Seed Treatment Method
Soaking Soak seed in water for 8-12 hours, changing the water 2-3 times.
Seed Treatment Notes
Add a small amount of saline soil from the collection area to the propagation mix. Soak seed in water for 8-12 hours, changing the water 2-3 times. Cover seed lightly and keep damp; use the bog method. For direct seeding, spread sparingly in a shallow trench, cover and press down.
Cutting & Division Information
Cuttings strike easily.