Glasswort, Parish's glasswort

Arthrocnemum subterminale

Physical Characteristics

Arthrocnemum subterminale is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

South-western N. America - California and Baja California.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Young stems of Parish’s glasswort are edible fresh or cooked, though they contain very high levels of salt and should be eaten only in moderation. Flavor is crisp, juicy, and saline—somewhat like sea asparagus or samphire—though often with a slight bitterness. Cooking or parboiling helps reduce the harshness and salt content. The seeds are also edible and were historically used as food by coastal Native Americans, though their small size makes them labor-intensive to harvest and process. Seeds can be dried and ground into a coarse flour, or boiled into a porridge, but availability is highly seasonal. As with related glassworts, fruits and seeds are tiny, enclosed in papery utricles, and difficult to separate from chaff. Overconsumption of either seeds or stems can contribute to excessive salt intake [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 3/5 – useful as a wild vegetable or emergency grain, but not a staple. Leaves - raw or cooked[172]. Seed - ground into a meal[257].

Medicinal Uses

Stems and ashes also had minor medicinal and preservative applications.

Known Hazards

None known