Description
Synonymy - Suaeda maritima (Sea Blite) is currently divided into two subpecies. S. m. ssp. maritima (White Sea Blite) is frequently regarded as a European introduction, and is found from Nova Scotia and Quebec to VA, and scattered southern locations, while S. m. ssp. richii (Rich's Sea Blite) is considered native to North America found from Newfoundland to ME. The subspecies differ in seed size and chromosome number (Bassett and Crompton 1978; Clemants 1992; Kartesz 1994).
Potentially Misidentified Species - Suaeda linearis (Tall Sea Blite) is the only other Suaeda spp. occurring in the Chesapeake Bay region. S. calceoliformis (Pursh's Sea Blite) and S. rolandii (Roland's Sea Blite) range south to NJ (Clemants 1992). Bassia hirsuta (Hairy Sea Blite) is introduced from Eurasia (Clemants 1992), and reaches the Chesapeake Bay region.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plantae | Magnoliophyta | Magnoliopsida | Caryophyllales | Chenopodiaceae | Suaeda |
Synonyms
Invasion History
Chesapeake Bay Status
| First Record | Population | Range | Introduction | Residency | Source Region | Native Region | Vectors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1753 | Established | Stable | Introduced | Regular Resident | Europe | Eurasia | Shipping(Dry Ballast) |
History of Spread
Suaeda maritima ssp. maritima (White Sea Blite) has been variously treated as native to North America (Fernald 1950), possibly introduced (Gleason 1963; Gleason and Cronquist 1991; Godfrey and Wooten 1981), probably introduced (Brown et al. 1987), or definitely introduced (Bassett and Crompton 1978; Clemants 1992). Its introduction would have occurred before the earliest plant collections, since this plant is known from 18th century herbarium specimens collected in MD before 1753 (Brown et al. 1987) and in the 'Carolinas' before 1788 (Fernald 1907; Walter 1788). The claim of introduced status seems to be based on its occurence in dry ballast (Philadelphia; Burk 1877; Smith 1867) and its spotty distribution, especially in the southern part of its range. By the early 1800's, it was apparently well-established on the Northeast coast (e.g., Hoboken NJ) (Torrey 1823), and reported to range from 'New Jersey to New England' by Gray (1848). (However, the synonym used in these floras 'Blitum maritimum' could have included S. linearis and other species). Suaeda maritima ssp. maritima ranges from Quebec and Nova Scotia to VA, with scattered southward occurrences to FL and LA (Clemants 1992; Fernald 1909; Fernald 1950; Gleason and Cronquist 1991). It is also reported from WA (Natural Resources Conservation Service 1998), though the identify of Pacific coast plants is uncertain (Bassett and Crompton 1978).
Suaeda maritima ssp. maritima was found among herbarium specimens collected in MD, before 1753, but no locality was given (Brown et al. 1987). It was not listed by Shreve et al. (1910) for MD, but Sipple (1978) found it on the western shore of Chincoteague Bay. Tatnall (1946) lists a record for Franklin City (Accomac County) VA in 1909. Hill (1986) reported it as rare on Assategaue Island. A record from Newport News VA, date unknown (Harvill et al. 1992), is suggestive of a dry ballast introduction. Harvill (1966) reported it 'on tidal flats, local' in Matthews County VA, north of Mobjack Bay. This species appears to be rare, local and confined to the lower Bay (Brown and Brown 1984; Tatnall 1946; Wass. 1972).
History References - Bassett and Crompton 1978; Brown et al. 1987; Burk 1877; Clemants 1992; Burk 1876; Clemants 1992; Fernald 1907; Gleason 1963; Gleason and Cronquist 1991; Godfrey and Wooten 1979; Harvill 1966; Harvill et al. 1992; Natural Resources Conservation Service 1998; Shreve et al. 1910; Sipple 1978; Smith 1867; Tatnall 1946; Torrey 1823; Walter 1788; Wass 1972
Invasion Comments
Ecology
Environmental Tolerances
| For Survival | For Reproduction | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | |
| Temperature (ºC) | ||||
| Salinity (‰) | 0.0 | 35.0 | 0.0 | 35.0 |
| Oxygen | ||||
| pH | ||||
| Salinity Range | poly-eu |
Age and Growth
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Adult Size (mm) | 50.0 | 50.0 |
| Typical Adult Size (mm) | 250.0 | 250.0 |
| Maximum Adult Size (mm) | 500.0 | 500.0 |
| Maximum Longevity (yrs) | ||
| Typical Longevity (yrs | 0.8 | 0.8 |
Reproduction
| Start | Peak | End | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reproductive Season | |||
| Typical Number of Young Per Reproductive Event |
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| Sexuality Mode(s) | |||
| Mode(s) of Asexual Reproduction |
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| Fertilization Type(s) | |||
| More than One Reproduction Event per Year |
|||
| Reproductive Startegy | |||
| Egg/Seed Form |
Impacts
Economic Impacts in Chesapeake Bay
Suaeda maritima spp. maitima (White Sea-Blite) is rare along lower Chesapeake Bay and the adjacent Atlantic Coast (Wass 1972). It has no known economic impacts.
References - Wass 1972
Economic Impacts Outside of Chesapeake Bay
Suaeda maritima ssp. maritima (White Sea Blite) is edible as a potherb, but one should change the water twice during boiling to remove salt (Stuckey 1983). In Europe, it is burned for extracting potash (Clemants 1992). This species has also been extensively used for physiological studies of salt tolerance in plants (See Biological Abstracts).
Ecological Impacts on Chesapeake Native Species
Suaeda maritima ssp. maritima (White Sea Blite) is rarer than native congener Suaeda linearis (Tall Sea Blite), or other plants of similar growth form and habitats, such as Cakile edentula (American Sea-Rocket) (Brown and Brown 1984; Harvill et al. 1992), so its impacts on native biota may be small. However, Suaeda ssp. are known to colonize disturbed shorelines, and salt marshes in early stages of development (Stuckey 1983).
References - Brown and Brown 1984; Chapman 1947; Harvill et al. 1992; Stuckey 1983
Ecological Impacts on Other Chesapeake Non-Native Species
Suaeda maritima ssp. maritima (White Sea Blite) is much rarer than cryptogenic plants of similar habits, such as Atriplex prostrata (Halberd-Leaved Orach) or Spergularia salina var. salina (Saltmarsh Sand-Spurrey). introduced annuals of similar habitats are Bassia hirsuta (Hairy Sea Blite) and Cakile maritima (Eurasian Sea-Rocket). Competition with these species is possible, but is likely to be rare.