Glasswort

Salicornia

Glasswort is a unique plant that grows in salty marshes and coastal areas. It has succulent stems and leaves that store water, helping it survive in its salty habitat.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Glasswort has bright green, fleshy, jointed stems that look like miniature green coral. It lacks true leaves, with its segments often turning vibrant red or orange in late summer and fall.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyAmaranthaceaeGenusSalicornia

Photo: Marco Schmidt [1]CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Glasswort

Interesting facts

In the past, burning glasswort helped make glass and soap!

It can turn dazzling shades of red, purple, and orange in autumn!

Some chefs call glasswort "sea beans" or "sea asparagus."

This plant tastes like the ocean and is super crunchy!

Special abilities

Glasswort can absorb and store salt in its fleshy stems, allowing it to thrive in extremely salty coastal environments.

Glasswort has succulent stems storing water, helping it survive dry, salty conditions.

Glasswort accumulates salt in its stems, making soil less salty when old parts drop.

Measurements & details

Height: 10-40 cm
Spread: 10-50 cm
Flower Size: 0.1-0.3 cm
Bloom Season: Late_summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Annual
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Brent Goose

Branta bernicla

feeds on succulent stems

Eaten by

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

consumes seeds and plant parts

Shelter

Common Periwinkle

Littorina littorea

hides among stems at high tide

Traits

Salt Tolerant

Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.

Succulent

Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Fall Color

Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.

Keystone Species

Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

Also known as

PickleweedSalicornSalicorniaSea Asparagus

Collections

Fungi Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Avoid touching or eating plants in the wild without adult supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Glasswort?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Glasswort?

10-40 cm

How wide does Glasswort spread?

10-50 cm

How big are the flowers on Glasswort?

0.1-0.3 cm

When does Glasswort bloom?

Late_summer

Is Glasswort edible?

Yes

Is Glasswort toxic?

None