There Kali Salesalso known as kwings turgid It is an annual plant belonging to the family of Amaranthaceaemainly known for the bushes, made known by the cinema, and for the ability to resist extreme environmental conditions. The stem It is erected and can reach a height of about one meter, while the branches are thin and full of thorns, which makes it difficult to touch or use as a nourishment for animals. The leaves They are small and fleshy, adapted to preserve humidity, a typical characteristic of plants that thrive in arid environments. When the autumn arrives and the plant dies, it dry out completely, becoming the classic “rolling ball” which is driven by the wind, with its dry branches that hold up to 200,000 seeds.
Botanical characteristics
There Kali Sales It is an annual growth plant with a biological shape Scaposa Terfitawhich means that it completes its life cycle in a year and develops with an erect or branched stem. Blooms between May and Augustpresenting little showy flowers and fleshy and thorny leaves that allow her to survive in difficult environments.
The name of the genre, Sausagederives from the Greek term “Halos” which means “sea” or “salt”, while the specific epithet kali has Arab origins from “Qalīy”which means “potassa”. This reference is due to the fact that in the past the plant was burned to obtain potassium salts, used in the production of glass and soda.
The peculiarity of the Kali sauce is its ability to disperse the seeds at a great distance, the case that allows it to spread quickly by covering very large areas: The plant rolls pushed by the wind And while traveling, it drops the seeds that, once the right humidity is found, germinate giving life to new specimens.
Variety and geographical diffusion of the Kali Sales
The Salsola genre includes several species, many of which have characteristics similar to the Kali sauce. The plant grows preferably in saline, dry and sandy soils, which makes it particularly suitable for arid regions. He has been widespread in Europe for thousands of years, but his fame has extended when he colonized the desert spaces of North America. Originally from Russia, the plant arrived in the United States as a clandestine, accidentally transported to flax seed bags from the Russian steppes, and from there it spread rapidly, conquering large desert areas, where she found its ideal habitat.
Is considered one pioneeras it is among the first plants to colonize difficult and vegetation -free soils.
Although in the past it was reported along all the Italian coasts, the most recent studies have confirmed its presence exclusively in Friuli Venezia Giulia. In the metropolitan area of Rome, however, it is reported as a municipality along the coastal band, with a more limited distribution in some southern urban areas, probably due to the confusion with other similar species.
This pioneer plant is able to colonize Sabbies without vegetation and savory soilsconstituting an important element of the coastal ecosystem.
The many names of the Kali Sales
The Kali sauce is known by different names in Italy, which vary from region to region. Some of the most popular include:
Where to place the Kali sauce
If you want to cultivate the Kali sauce, it is important to consider that it thrives in conditions of aridity and poor soils. It adapts well to saline soils, which makes it an ideal choice for coastal areas or desert areas. It is not a plant suitable for gardens rich in vegetation or humid soils, as it needs dry soil to grow correctly. It is preferable to place it in open and sunny spaces, where it can receive maximum sunlight during the day.
What ground to use for the Kali Sales
The ideal soil for the Kali sauce is arid, sandy and poor in nutrients. Being a plant that accumulates sodium, it does not tolerate well fertile soils or too rich in organic substances. Growing preferably in saline soils, it also adapts well in areas where other plants struggle to thrive. For those wishing to grow it in limited spaces or in the garden, it is advisable to create a substrate that simulates desert conditions: a mixture of sand and gravel can be sufficient.
How to cultivate the Kali sauce in pots
Vase cultivation of the Kali sauce can be an interesting challenge, which can be achieved, as long as you recreate the right conditions. The vase must be sufficiently large and deep to allow the roots to expand, you will have to use a very draining soil, composed mainly of sand and gravel to avoid the usual stagnation of water, and guarantee it good exposure to the sun, essential for healthy growth And luxuriantly.
How to irrigate the Kali sauce
One of the main qualities of the Kali sauce is great resistance to drought. The plant needs very little water and tolerates very well long periods without rain. If cultivated in pot or in the garden, it is important to avoid wetting the ground excessively: irrigation must be sporadic, to be carried out only when the ground appears completely dry. In summer, it may be enough to water one or twice a month, while in winter it is not necessary to intervene, unless the climate is particularly dry.
How to fertilize the Kali Sales
It is not necessary to fertilize the Kali sauce, on the contrary, the addition of fertilizers can be counterproductive: we are talking about a rustic plant, accustomed to poor soils, which does not need additional nutrients to thrive, but which is indeed completely self -sufficient in terms of sustenance .
When the Kali Sales bloom
The Kali sauce generally blooms in the summer, a season in which it produces small unconscious flowers, which can be white or pale green or are enclosed between the leaves and do not have a great ornamental value. The real peculiarity of the plant is manifested at the end of the season, when he dies and turns into the classic rolling ball, ready to disperse the seeds for the following season.
Kali’s diseases and parasites
The Kali sauce is an extremely resistant plant and is hardly attacked by diseases or parasites. One of its main defenses is the presence of thorns, which discourage animals from the food of its branches. In addition, it contains high quantities of oxalic acid, a toxic substance for many herbivores. The plant does not require particular pesticide treatments, but must still be monitored to prevent it from invading too much space.
Traditional uses and properties
In the past, the Kali Sales It was used for hers Rimineralizing and diuretic properties. The young leaves, thanks to their content of mineral salts, could be consumed both raw that cooked as food.
Once the plant was also used for the production of natural sodaobtained from the combustion of the plant itself. This use was particularly widespread in Tuscany and Sicily, where the plant was known with local names such as Soda, soda grass or saponara.
Symbolic meaning and historical uses of the Kali Salsola
In addition to the cinematographic celebrity, the Kali Salsola has a long history of practical use. Since biblical times, it was known for the production of highly alkaline ash, obtained by burning it, ash that was used to produce soap and to wash the tissues. Over the centuries, it has also been used in the production of glass, thanks to the alkaline properties, while today it is seen above all as an invasive species.
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