Perennial glasswort (Salicornia or
Sarcocornia perennis), also known as marsh samphire, grows in tussocks on salt
marshes and pebbly shores in southern England.
Sprawling stems send up segmented branches.
Each segment is a pair of fleshy leaves that are dark green at first but then
turn yellow. The stems of perennial glasswort (as opposed to annual varieties)
are woody at the base and difficult to uproot. The overall appearance resembles
a miniature cactus.
Stems reach a height of up to 12 inches (30
centimetres). Flowers appear in August and September. Each segment carries
several flowers, each with two stamens and two feathery styles.
As marsh samphire, this plant is well-known
as a food plant, lightly boiled or pickled in vinegar. The name glasswort comes
from its historic use in glassmaking. The ash of the plant when burned is high
in soda, and when fused with sand produces a low-quality glass.
© John Welford
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