It is extremely variable throughout its wide range in height, growth habit, colouring, internode length, leaf shape, and the size and orientation of inflorescences and fruits.

It is densely-branched, the stems feeling very rough when the leaves are shed, pale green at first, becoming grey and fissured.

Others are entirely female, rather smaller with non-succulent tepals, fused for half their length, persistent and partly concealing the fruit.

occurs from the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East eastwards to the Indian subcontinent, however, here it has in some cases been misidentified as S. vermiculata.

Other associated plants include Zygophyllum simplex, Cressa cretica, Caroxylon imbricatum, Salsola stocksii, Aeluropus lagopoides and Sporobolus helvolus.

[4] It is one of a number of plants high in sodium known as barilla which were used to make soda ash for use in the soap and glass industries.

Large quantities were exported from India in the 18th and 19th centuries, and S. fruticosa and various chenopods, are still collected from the seasonal salt marshes in the Rann of Kutch for local use in the manufacture of soap and baking soda.