Dwarf Glasswort, Dwarf saltwort

Salicornia bigelovii

Physical Characteristics

Salicornia bigelovii is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Florida and Texas.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Oil Oil Edible Uses: Oil Oil Young stems and seeds are edible, but both are extremely salty. Fresh stems can be eaten raw or cooked as a crunchy, saline vegetable, similar to samphire. They can also be pickled. Seeds are oily and nutritious and have attracted interest as a potential crop for saline agriculture. The seeds yield an edible oil comparable to safflower or sunflower, though in the wild, collecting sufficient quantities is difficult. Because of their salt content, both stems and seeds should be consumed in moderation. [2-3].Young leaves and stems - cooked or pickled[105, 172, 177]. The raw seed is inedible due to the presence of saponins, though these remain in the seed-meal when the oil is extracted[252]. The seed contains about 30% of an edible oil and 35% protein[252]. The oil is highly polyunsaturated and similar to safflower oil (Carthamnus tinctorius) in fatty-acid composition[252]. It has a pleasant nut-like flavour and a texture similar to olive oil[252].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The seed contains saponins[252]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].