Black Saltwort, Sea milkwort
Glaux maritima
Family: Primulaceae
What it is like
Glaux maritima is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Grassy salt marshes, crevices of rocks, the foot of cliffs near the sea and saline districts inland.
Coasts and inland saline areas in most parts of the northern temperate zone, including Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Young shoots - raw or pickled. Roots - cooked. (This report refers to the sub-species G. maritima obtusifolia.) The roots can be harvested at almost any time of the year. The North American Indians would boil them for a long time before eating them. Even so, eating the roots was considered to make one sleepy and eating too many of them could make one nauseous.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Some native North American Indians ate the boiled roots to induce sleep.
Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Succeeds in most soils. Dislikes shade.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it should be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in situ in mid spring. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist