The Salsoloideae are 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 most genera, scarious wings develop at the outside of the fruiting perianth, allowing for dispersal by the wind (anemochory). In tribe Caroxyleae, the stamens have vesiculose anther appendages, discolor with anthers, that probably play a role for insect pollination. In tribe Salsoleae the anther appendages are absent or small and inconspicuous. Distribution The area with most species (center of diversity) are the deserts and semideserts of Central-Asia and the Middle East. Distribution of the subfamily extends to the Mediterranean, to Middle-Europe, north and south Africa, and Australia, some species have also been introduced to America. Many species grow in dry habitats (xerophytes) or tolerate salty soils (halophytes), some are ruderals. Photosynthesis pathway Salsoloideae are plants (with a few exceptions in tribe Salsoleae). Tribe Caroxyleae is exclusively of the NAD-malic enzyme subtype. Most Salsoleae also use the NADP-malic enzyme. Taxonomy The type genus of subfamily Salsoloideae is Salsola L. According to recent research, the former classification did not reflect the phylogenetic relationship, so that the subfamily had to be reclassified; it is now split in two tribes, Caroxyleae and Salsoleae (in the strict sense). The tribe Camphorosmeae is now treated in its own subfamily, Camphorosmoideae. Caroxyleae Caroxyleae Akhani & E. H. Roalson (as "Caroxyloneae") Caroxylon Thunb., with 43 species Climacoptera Botsch., with 41 species Halarchon Bunge, with one species Halarchon vesiculosum (Moq.) Bunge Halimocnemis C. A. Mey., with 27 species (Syn. Gamanthus Bunge, Halanthium C. Koch, Halotis Bunge) Halocharis Moq., with 7 species Kaviria Akhani & E. H. Roalson, with 10 species Nanophyton Less., with ca. 10 species Ofaiston Raf., with one species Ofaiston monandrum (Pall.) Moq. Petrosimonia Bunge, with 12 species Piptoptera Bunge, with one species Piptoptera turkestana Bunge Physandra Botsch., with one species Physandra halimocnemis (Botsch.) Botsch. Pyankovia Akhani & E. H. Roalson, with one species Pyankovia brachiata (Pall.) Akhani & E. H. Roalson Salsoleae Anabasis L. ( incl. Fredolia (Coss. & Durieu ex Bunge) Ulbr.), with 29 species Arthrophytum Schrenk, with 9 species Cornulaca Delile, with 5 species Cyathobasis Aellen, with one species: Cyathobasis fruticulosa (Bunge) Aellen Girgensohnia Bunge ex Fenzl, with 4 species Halogeton C. A. Mey, with 5 species. (Syn. Agathophora (Fenzl) Bunge, Micropeplis Bunge) Halothamnus Jaub. & Spach, with 21 species