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The Opposite-leaved saltwort (Soda inermis) belongs to Chenopodiaceae (the Goosefoot family). It is an annual herb that is distributed from the Mediterranean coast to Central and Southwest Asia, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. It grows along the shores of salt lakes and in grasslands with saline soil. It reaches a height of about 70 cm. The stems are green or red. The leaves are linear, green, fleshy, and arranged in opposite pairs. From June to August, it produces inconspicuous white to pale green flowers in the leaf axils. The fruit is a small capsule, 3 to 6 mm in diameter. It is known as "almyra" in Greek and "agretti" in Italian. It is a healthy vegetable rich in nutrients such as vitamin A, potassium, calcium, and iron, characterized by its crisp texture and subtle saltiness. Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, or blanched in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes and used in dishes such as simmered greens, vinegar-based salads, or dressed salads. It is called "蘇打猪毛菜" (su da zhu mao cai) in Chinese.
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