Suaeda calceoliformis
Horned seablite
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Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Suaeda calceoliformis (Horned seablite) is a native California subshrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by unique horned calyx lobes distinguish from all congeners.
Horned seablite is a California native annual found in saline or alkaline wetland soils at elevations below 2,200 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small flowers in dense clusters, with distinctive horn-like calyx lobes that give it its unique name. Growing prostrate to erect with green to dark red stems up to 80 centimeters tall, it has linear leaves that are tightly ascending and range from green to reddish. Its leaves are sessile, less than 40 millimeters long, with a flat adaxial surface that can vary in color from green to reddish. The seeds are particularly distinctive, ranging from 0.8 to 1.7 millimeters long, typically shiny and black or flat and dull brown.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; unique horned calyx lobes distinguish from all congeners
Habitat and range
Habitat: Saline or alkaline, wetland soils, generally dried
Elevation: < 2200 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Yolo, Orange, Mono, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Siskiyou, Modoc, Inyo, Butte, Glenn, Lassen, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Solano
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern Canada, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Suaeda calceoliformis blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Suaeda has thick succulent leaves; Eriogonum has thin, often woolly leaves and clustered flowers.; vs Atriplex: Suaeda leaves are thick and succulent; Atriplex leaves are thin with scaly white coating.; vs Salsola: Suaeda leaves end in soft rounded tips; Salsola leaves taper to sharp spine tips.; vs Curio: Suaeda has simple cylindrical leaves; Curio has compound leaves or distinctive leaf shapes.; vs Frankenia: Suaeda has succulent cylindrical leaves; Frankenia has tiny opposite leaves with rolled-under edges.
Frequently asked questions
Is Suaeda calceoliformis native to California?
Yes. Suaeda calceoliformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Suaeda calceoliformis bloom?
Suaeda calceoliformis blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Suaeda calceoliformis grow?
Suaeda calceoliformis occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Yolo, Orange, Mono, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of < 2200 m.
What plant family does Suaeda calceoliformis belong to?
Suaeda calceoliformis is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Suaeda.
What habitat does Suaeda calceoliformis grow in?
Suaeda calceoliformis grows in Saline or alkaline, wetland soils, generally dried.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.