Bayshore/ Hairy Sea Blite

COMMON NAME: Hairy Sea Blite

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bassia hirsuta

FAMILY: Chenopodiaceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Naturalized ~ Native of Europe

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: 8 to 16 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Mid-July to mid-August

FRUITING TIME: Early September to late October

DISTRIBUTION: Massachusetts to Virginia ~ Throughout the coastal strip in NJ, along the shoreline on beaches and salt marshes

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Bushy-branched ~ Flowers with stamens and pistils, solitary or in short terminal spikes, pink in Autumn ~ Leaves fleshy, linear, flat

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Chenopodiaceae) commonly called the Goosefoot family consists of 120 genera and 1,300 species of perennial herbs and a few shrubs and small trees.  They are found mainly near the sea or in salt-rich steppes; they also grow as weeds in salt-rich soils around human habitation. Greek khen means “goose”, pous means “foot”--the leaves of many species in this family are shaped like a goose’s foot. A cultivated member of the Chenopodiaceae family is Quinoa (Chenopoidum quinoa) is grown for its edible leaves and seeds and has long been a staple part of the diet of the Andean Indians.  Several wild species are also used as potherbs and their seeds ground or parched into meal.  Other members of the Chenopodiaceae family include Beet (Beta vulgaris) and its many varieties are used as a source of sugar and as animal fodder and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea).

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.