Glasswort, Samphire
Salicornia pachystachya

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows each year from seeds. It grows 40 cm tall. The stem has several branches. It is almost leafless. It has a series of cup shaped segments along the branches. The fertile segments have spikes at the end. These are 1-2.5 cm long. The flowers are in clusters of 3. The fruit is a nut. The seeds are oval and 1.5 mm long.

This may be changed to the family Brassicaceae. There are 30-40 Salicornia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in salt marshes and mangrove swamps at sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten fresh in salads. They are also cooked and can be pickled in vinegar.

A minor vegetable becoming more popular because of its distinctive taste.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Arhtrocnemum pachystachyum (Bunge ex Ung.-Sternb.) A. Chev.; Salicornia perrieri A. Chev.;