{{Short description|Species of shrub}} {{Speciesbox | image = Haloxylon stocksii 1.jpg | image_caption = | genus = Soda | species = stocksii | authority = (Boiss.) Akhani<ref>Akhani (2020) ''Front. Plant Sci.'' 11-546518: 30.</ref> | synonyms = *''Salsola stocksii'' <small>Boiss.</small> *''Seidlitzia stocksii'' (Boiss.) Assadi<ref name=ipni>{{cite web |title=''Seidlitzia stocksii'' |url=http://ipni.org/n/20011666-1 |website=International Plant Names Index |publisher=The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries and Australian National Botanic Gardens |access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref> *''Haloxylon stocksii'' <small>(Boiss.) Hook.f. in Benth. & Hook.f.</small><ref name=ipni3>{{cite web |title=''Haloxylon stocksii'' |url=https://www.ipni.org/n/165857-1 |website=International Plant Names Index |publisher=The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries and Australian National Botanic Gardens |access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref> *''Haloxylon recurvum'' <small>''sensu'' (Moq.) Bunge. ex Boiss.</small> | synonyms_ref = <ref name=PoWO>{{cite web |title=''Seidlitzia stocksii'' Boiss. |date=2017 |work=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/20011666-1 |access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="hedge"/> }}
'''''Soda stocksii''''' is a shrub species of the family Amaranthaceae (formerly classified under the Chenopodiaceae).
It is locally known as ''khar'', meaning salty.
==Taxonomy== It was first described as a new species by Pierre Edmond Boissier in the 1859 ''Diagnoses plantarum orientalium novarum''.<ref name=ipni2>{{cite web |title=''Salsola stocksii'' |url=http://ipni.org/n/167099-1 |website=International Plant Names Index |publisher=The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries and Australian National Botanic Gardens |access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref> Phylogenetic analysis in 2007 revealed that the species did not belong to genus ''Haloxylon'' and had to be classified in the genus ''Salsola'',<ref>Hossein Akhani, Gerald Edwards, Eric H. Roalson: ''Diversification Of The Old World Salsoleae S.L. (Chenopodiaceae): Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis Of Nuclear And Chloroplast Data Sets And A Revised Classification'', In: ''International Journal of Plant Sciences'', Volume 168 (6), 2007, p. 931–956.</ref> however, the correct name is given as ''Seidlitzia stocksii'' in ''Plants of the World Online''.<ref name=PoWO/> It was recombined with, i.e. moved to, the genus ''Seidlitzia'' by Mostafa Assadi in 2001 and then to genus ''Soda'' in 2020.<ref name=ipni/>
''Soda stocksii'' belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae of the family Amaranthaceae.
==Description== ''Soda stocksii'' is a sturdy, glabrous or pruinose shrub 25–80 cm tall, its branches are prostrate or ascending. The distinct, sessile, spreading leaves are terete, fleshy, to 5 mm long and 1,5 mm in diameter. The opposite branches spread nearly horizontally. The inflorescences are wide panicles with 3–12 cm long spike-like branches with numerous flowers. Perianth segments are only 1,5 mm long. The 5 stamens are alternating with ovate staminodes. Fruiting, the perianth segments develop spreading brown wings, circa 6 mm in diameter. The seed diameter is 2,5–3 mm.
==Pollination and dissemination== thumb|left|''Salsola stocksii'', insect pollination ''Seidlitzia stocksii'' is pollinated by small wild bees (Hymenoptera), that were observed to collect pollen (see photo).<ref>Gabriele Kothe-Heinrich: ''Revision der Gattung ''Halothamnus'' (Chenopodiaceae)''. Bibliotheca Botanica Bd. 143, Schweizerbart, Stuttgart 1993, {{ISBN|978-3-510-48014-2}} (German), p. 22.</ref> The winged fruits are dispersed by the wind (anemochory).
==Distribution== ''Seidlitzia stocksii'' is distributed in Afghanistan, Pakistan and West India (Punjab, Rajasthan), where it grows on sandy or loamy saline soils (halophyte) and limestone hills.<ref name="hedge">I.C.Hedge: ''Haloxylon''.- In: Karl Heinz Rechinger et al. (Edit.): ''Flora Iranica Bd. 172, Chenopodiaceae'': p. 315-326. Akad. Druck, Graz 1997, {{ISBN|3-201-00728-5}}. p. 321.</ref>
==Uses== ''Seidlitzia stocksii'' is used as a source of crude sodium carbonate<ref name="hedge"/> (barilla or ''sajji-khar''). The ''sajji-khar'' is added as an ingredient for unique taste of ''papad'', a crispy flatbread. The ash of this plant is used as substitute of soap for cleaning clothes and is also taken with water for treatment of internal ulcers.
==References== * I.C.Hedge: ''Haloxylon''.- In: Karl Heinz Rechinger et al. (Edit.): ''Flora Iranica Bd. 172, Chenopodiaceae'': p. 315-326. Akad. Druck, Graz 1997, {{ISBN|3-201-00728-5}}. p. 321. (description, distribution) <references/>
{{Taxonbar|from=Q106909679|from2=Q93444571|from3=Q292441}}
Category:Amaranthaceae Category:Desert flora Category:Flora of the Thar Desert