Abstract: Suaeda physophora was distributed on the saline soil with a salt contents 3.0%～ 6.0% in the surface layer (0420 cm underground). The plant height was 45～60 cm and the average length of the one-year twig was 12 cm. The succulent leave was strip shaped. The well developed lateral roots was distributed in the deeper soil (EOb 60 cra) with decreased salt contents and increased water content. The multiregression model for individual plant's aboveground biomass was: Y = 312. 00 + 3.44X1 + 4. 85X2 - 2.16X3 (Xl, length; X2, width: X3, height). The contents of Na, S and K in leave of S. physophora were very high. That of Na was 91255 μg · g-1. The element contents varied in the different parts of plant. K, Na, Mg, S and P contents were the highest respectively in the leaf and ear of flower, but they were the lowest in the old twig. Total salt content of water extracts from tender twig and leaf was 23.17%, being more than in ear of flower and old twig. The element and salt contents varied in different seasons of plant growth. The S. physophora community was a formation on the succulent halophytic dwarf sub-shrub desert. Nine associations were recorded at this area. The coverage of community was 6 % ~25 %.

Key words: Hutubi Xinjiang, Suaeda physophora, Bioecological characteristics, Elemental Content