Glasswort
Salicornia europaea

Classification

Glasswort, also known as Norfolk Samphire belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. They are a group of very similar and hard to distinguish species. All Salicornia of Eurasia are associated with this group. A distinctive features of this plant is its stout, fleshy appearance. They are pioneers of often flooded mudflats of sea coasts.

Many synonymes for S. europaea exist, for example S. herbacea, S. prostrata.
The classification is not completely clarified to date. The succulence and the strongly reduced morphology are posing difficulties to a satisfactory taxonomy of the whole genus of Salicornia.

Description

Salicornia are annual, strange looking, halophyte herbs of 5-45cm growth height. The main stem and branches are succulent and jointed into swollen segments. Each segment has on its upper margins a pair of opposite triangular lobes that represent the leaves. Flowers are borne on the upper stems and are opposite groups of 3 (triads), with the central flower being the larger one, in the axils of the lobes representing the leaves. Each flower consists of a small fleshy disc or segment with a central pore, from which emerges a single tiny anther of 0.2-0.5mm length (often not projecting) in August or September; the bifid stigma usually remains hidden. The fruits are small nutlets, released as the stems break up in winter.

Pollination

The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by wind in August.

Site requirements, distribution and cultivation

Suitable for light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Prefers a rich organic soil with ample nitrogen