Haloxylon
Encyclopedia
Haloxylon is a genus of shrubs or small trees, belonging to the plant family
Amaranthaceae
. Haloxylon and its species are known by the common name saxaul.
s are short shoots borne on the stems of the previous year. The flowers are very small, as long or shorter than the bracteoles, bisexual or male. The two stigma
s are very short. In fruit, the perianth
segments develop spreading wings. The fruit with wings is about 8 millimetre (0.31496062992126 in) in diameter. The seed is about 1.5 millimetre (0.0590551181102362 in) in diameter.
) in 1851, with the type species Haloxylon ammodendron
.
The genus belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae
in the family Amaranthaceae
, It consists of only 2 species:
Phylogenetic research revealed, that several species formerly included in Haloxylon are not related to this genus. They are now classified to Hammada or even to Salsola stocksii (the former Haloxylon stocksii, syn. Haloxylon recurvum).
The common name saxaul, sometimes sacsaoul or saksaul, comes from the Russian saksaul, which is from Kazakh seksevil.
, a large number of birds are associated with saxaul, including the Saxaul Sparrow
.
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Amaranthaceae
Amaranthaceae
The flowering plant family Amaranthaceae, the Amaranth family, contains about 176 genera and 2,400 species.- Description :Most of these species are herbs or subshrubs; very few are trees or climbers. Some species are succulent....
. Haloxylon and its species are known by the common name saxaul.
Description
The species of genus Haloxylon are shrubs or small trees 1–8 m (3.3–26.2 ft) (rarely up to 12 metres (39.4 ft)) tall, with a thick trunk and many branches. The branches of the current year are green, from erect to pendant. The leaves are reduced to small scales. The inflorescenceInflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s are short shoots borne on the stems of the previous year. The flowers are very small, as long or shorter than the bracteoles, bisexual or male. The two stigma
Stigma
Stigma is a word that originally means a "sign", "point", or "branding mark". It may refer to:-As a symbolic mark:* The Mark of Cain* Stigmata, bodily marks or wounds resembling the crucifixion wounds of Jesus...
s are very short. In fruit, the perianth
Perianth
The term perianth has two similar but separate meanings in botany:* In flowering plants, the perianth are the outer, sterile whorls of a flower...
segments develop spreading wings. The fruit with wings is about 8 millimetre (0.31496062992126 in) in diameter. The seed is about 1.5 millimetre (0.0590551181102362 in) in diameter.
Distribution
The genus Haloxylon is distributed in southwest and Central Asia, from Egypt to China (Mongolia, Sinkiang, and Kansu), where it grows in sandy habitats (psammophyte).Taxonomy
The genus name Haloxylon was published by Alexander Bunge (ex Eduard FenzlEduard Fenzl
Eduard Fenzl was an Austrian botanist.An obituary notes "[h]e was Professor of Botany and Director of the Imperial Botanical Cabinet, a member of the Vienna Academy of Sciences, and Vice-President of the Vienna Horticultural Society."...
) in 1851, with the type species Haloxylon ammodendron
Haloxylon ammodendron
The saxaul, black saxaul, sometimes sacsaoul or saksaul , is a plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae.-Description:The saxaul ranges in size from a large shrub to a small tree, 2-8 m tall. It has a brown trunk 4-10 cm in diameter. The wood is heavy and coarse and the bark is spongy and water-soaked...
.
The genus belongs to the subfamily Salsoloideae
Salsoloideae
The Salsoloideae is a subfamily of the Amaranthaceae, formerly in family Chenopodiaceae.- Description :These are herbs, subshrubs, shrubs and some trees. Stems and leaves are often succulent. The ovary contains a spiral embryo....
in the family Amaranthaceae
Amaranthaceae
The flowering plant family Amaranthaceae, the Amaranth family, contains about 176 genera and 2,400 species.- Description :Most of these species are herbs or subshrubs; very few are trees or climbers. Some species are succulent....
, It consists of only 2 species:
- Haloxylon ammodendronHaloxylon ammodendronThe saxaul, black saxaul, sometimes sacsaoul or saksaul , is a plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae.-Description:The saxaul ranges in size from a large shrub to a small tree, 2-8 m tall. It has a brown trunk 4-10 cm in diameter. The wood is heavy and coarse and the bark is spongy and water-soaked...
(C.A.Mey.) Bunge ex Fenzl. (Synonym: Haloxylon aphyllum) - Haloxylon persicumHaloxylon persicumHaloxylon persicum, the white saxaul, is a small tree belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. Its range is Western Asia, including Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Sinai, South Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman, UAE, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, to Central Asia , and China .-Description:The Haloxylon persicum has...
Bunge ex Boiss.
Phylogenetic research revealed, that several species formerly included in Haloxylon are not related to this genus. They are now classified to Hammada or even to Salsola stocksii (the former Haloxylon stocksii, syn. Haloxylon recurvum).
The common name saxaul, sometimes sacsaoul or saksaul, comes from the Russian saksaul, which is from Kazakh seksevil.
Ecology
In the deserts of Central AsiaCentral Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
, a large number of birds are associated with saxaul, including the Saxaul Sparrow
Saxaul Sparrow
The Saxaul Sparrow is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in parts of Central Asia. At and , it is among the larger sparrows. Both sexes have plumage ranging from dull grey to sandy brown, and pale brown legs. Females have less boldly coloured plumage and bills, lacking the...
.