Salsola soda (European barilla plant)

Botanical name

Salsola soda

Other names

European barilla plant, Barilla plant, Agretti, Monk's beard, Roscano, Riscolo, Friar's beard, Russian thistle, Oppositeleaf Russian thistle, Opposite-leaved saltwort

Genus

Salsola Salsola

Species

S. soda - S. soda is an erect, succulent annual, often grown as a vegetable crop, with branched, red-flushed stems bearing fleshy, linear, dark green leaves and insignificant flowers in summer. The plant is harvested when young, before the stems start to branch.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect

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Colour

Flower

Insignificant or absent in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer

General care

Pruning

Harvest approximately a month after sowing, when the plants are about 15cm tall. Once the stems begin to branch and become woody, the plant is no longer edible. To harvest, cut a handful approx. 3cm from the ground. New shoots will develop.

Propagation

Dig in well-rotted manure 2-3 weeks before sowing. Direct sow in late winter or early spring. Scatter seeds or sow in rows, approximately 25cm apart. Germination may be erratic. Seed has short viability and should be in cool storage over winter.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Salsola soda (European barilla plant) will reach a height of 0.7m and a spread of 0.5m after 1 year.

Suggested uses

City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Tolerates saline conditions. Water during extended dry periods. Classified as an invasive species in some non-native countries.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Salsola soda (European barilla plant)

Common pest name

Acorn disease; Citrus little leaf; Citrus stubborn disease; Little leaf of citrus; Stubborn disease of citrus

Scientific pest name

Spiroplasma citri

Type

Bacterium

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Bacterial pest affecting citrus and field vegetables now present in parts of the EU. Carrots are the main crop potentially at risk; but main vectors responsible for transmission are unlikely to establish in the UK. EU regulations should be updated to reflect extended host range. Industry may be interested in pursuing research to investigate impacts on field vegetables.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/