Common glasswort (Salicornia europaea, Sp. Pl.: 3 (1753))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 3 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Salicornia

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. & W. Europe

Description

The Common glasswort, scientifically known as Salicornia europaea, is a unique and fascinating member of the Amaranthaceae family. This halophytic (salt-tolerant) plant is primarily found in the coastal regions of Northern and Western Europe, thriving in saline environments such as salt marshes, sandy beaches, and mudflats. Its ability to grow in these harsh conditions makes it an essential component of coastal ecosystems.

Characterized by its succulent, jointed stems that often take on a vibrant green hue, the appearance of the Common glasswort can shift to a stunning red or purple as the seasons change, particularly in autumn. The plant’s stems are segmented with fleshy, scale-like leaves that are reduced in size, embodying an efficient adaptation to its saline habitat by minimizing water loss.

Historically referred to in Carl Linnaeus’s bibliographic work, Species Plantarum published in 1753, Salicornia europaea is known for its resilience and adaptability. This plant has not only ecological significance but also culinary and economic value. Often harvested for use in gourmet cuisine, Common glasswort is appreciated for its salty flavor and crunchy texture, serving as an intriguing ingredient in salads, pickles, and garnishes.

Moreover, this remarkable plant contributes to soil stabilization and provides a habitat for various species of wildlife, serving as a crucial food source for birds and other animals inhabiting coastal regions. Its presence also aids in the detoxification of soils, demonstrating its importance beyond immediate utility in human consumption and commercial use.

In summary, the Common glasswort (Salicornia europaea), documented in Linnaeus’s influential work, stands out as a resilient and versatile plant of N. & W. Europe. Its ecological, culinary, and historical significance underscore its role in both natural and human-altered environments, making it a species worth acknowledging and preserving.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig salturt, kveller
Lit: europinė soduotė
Deu: europäischer queller, kurzähren-queller, queller
Eng: chicken-claws, common glasswort, glasswort, marsh samphire
Fra: coléophore de la salicorne, salicorn
Swe: glasört
Nld: kortarige zeekraal, zeekraal, roodachtige zeekraal
Sme: lásurttas
Cym: chwyn hallt, llyrlys, llyrlys cyffredin, llyrlys llysieuol
Gla: lus na gloine
Nob: salturt
Nno: salturt
Jpn: アッケシソウ
En: Common glasswort, Marsh samphire, Chicken-claws, Glasswort, Slender glasswort, Jointed Glasswort, Slender Sea-Grape, Virginia glasswort, Prickly Russian thistle
Ar: خريزه (خُريزه)، خريه (خِرية), خريه (خِرْية)، بوال (بَوّال)
Ca: Salicorn herbaci
Zh: Yan jiao cao
Da: Almindelig salturt, Kveller
Nl: Zeekraal, Kortarige zeekraal, Roodachtige zeekraal
Fr: Salicorn, Coléophore de la salicorne, Salicorne d’Europe
De: Kurzähren-Queller, Europäischer Queller, Queller, Europäischerer Queller, Gemeiner Glasschmalz, Gemeiner Glasschmelz, Gemeiner Queller, Gewöhnlicher Queller, Meeresbohne, Meeresspargel, Meerfenchel
He: פרקן עשבוני
Ja: アッケシソウ
Lt: Europinė soduotė
Se: Lásurttas
Nb: Salturt
Nn: Salturt
Gd: Lus na gloine
Sv: Glasört
Cy: Chwyn Hallt, Llyrlys, Llyrlys Cyffredin, Llyrlys Llysieuol

Synonyms

• Salicornia herbacea var. pusilla (Hook.f.)
• Salicornia annua (Sm.)
• Salicornia europaea var. pachystachya ((W.D.J.Koch) Fernald)
• Salicornia herbacea var. appressa (Dumort.)
• Salicornia appressa (Dumort.)
• Salicornia ramosissima var. gracilis ((D.König) Soó)
• Salicornia radicans (Mert. & W.D.J.Koch)
• Salicornia herbacea var. radicans (Roth)
• Salicornia europaea subsp. brachystachya ((G.Mey.) R.Dahmen & Wissk.)
• Salicornia herbacea ((L.) L.)
• Salicornia pusilla ((Hook.f.) E.S.Marshall)
• Salicornia gracillima (Moss)
• Salicornia herbacea var. pachystachya (W.D.J.Koch)
• Salicornia herbacea var. annua ((Sm.) Pursh)
• Salicornia megastachya (J.Woods)
• Salicornia brachystachya ((G.Mey.) D.König)
• Salicornia herbacea var. ramosissima (Hook.f.)
• Salicornia europaea subsp. herbacea ((L.) O.Schwarz)
• Salicornia biennis (Afzel. ex Sm.)
• Salicornia ramosissima ((Hook.f.) J.Woods ex W.A.Clarke & E.S.Marshall)
• Salicornia smithiana (Moss)
• Salicornia europaea var. herbacea (L.)
• Salicornia brachystachya var. gracilis (D.König)
• Salicornia salsola (Montbret ex Ung.-Sternb.)
• Salicornia peregrina (Weinm. ex Ung.-Sternb.)
• Salicornia simonkaiana (Soó)
• Salicornia herbacea var. brachystachya (G.Mey.)
• Salicornia stricta (Dumort.)
• Salicornia intermedia (J.Woods)
• Salicornia herbacea var. biennis ((Afzel. ex Sm.) Fiori)

Distribution

• Belgium (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Frozy

Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Martine Martine Souriau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2021 by Ieg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Rosalia Pavia (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 2, 2022 by Bryan Murphy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2022 by Luca (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2019 by Susan de Ruiter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2021 by Aytaç Kurtuba (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 1, 2019 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2020 by Αθανάσιος Αθανάσιος (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Manuel Costa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2021 by Conny Beyer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2022 by Plantae Lucorum (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 2, 2021 by tono (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2020 by Besga Marcos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2019 by Léo Drevet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:166520-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9823570)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Salicornia europaea L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 6

Soil salinity: 7