Halocnemum
| Halocnemum | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Halocnemum strobilaceum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Subfamily: | Salicornioideae |
| Genus: |
Halocnemum M.Bieb. |
| Species | |
|
2 species (see text) |
|
2 species (see text)
Halocnemum is a genus of halophytic shrubs in the Amaranthaceae family. The plants are fleshy and apparently articulated with characteristic globular or short-cylindrical lateral branches, and reduced leaves and flowers. There are two species, occurring from Southern Europe and North Africa to Asia.
The species of Halocnemum are subshrubs or low shrubs up to 1.5 m, much branched from base. Young stems are succulent, glabrous, apparently articulated, with characteristic globular to short-cylindrical lateral branches. The opposite leaves are fleshy, glabrous, sessile, joined at base and surrounding the stem, their blades reduced to small scales.
The inflorescences are terminal or numerous opposite lateral, short-cylindrical or orbicular spikes. Cymes of (two to) three flowers are sitting in the axils of shield-like, opposite bracts. The mostly bisexual flowers are somewhat immersed in the inflorescence axis. The perianth consists of three subequal, membranous tepals that are loosely connate at base. There is one stamen exserting the flower and an ovoid ovary with a thick style and two stigmas.
In fruit the perianth remains unchanged. The fruit is obovoid and free. The vertical seed is orange to red-brown, with slightly papillose seed coat. The seed contains the curved embryo and copious perisperm (feeding tissue).
The distribution area of Halocnemum covers Southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, North Africa, Eastern Europe, Southwest Asia, Middle Asia to China (Xinjiang, Gansu).
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