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Salicornia virginica - L.

Common Name Virginia Glasswort
Family Chenopodiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Salty marshes and beaches[60].
Range W. Europe. Eastern and Western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Salicornia virginica Virginia Glasswort


Larry Allain @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Salicornia virginica Virginia Glasswort
Mark W. Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Salicornia virginica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Salicornia depressa Standl.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[172]. A salty flavour[207].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic

The plant has been used externally in the treatment of arthritic pain, rheumatism, aches, pains and swellings[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Potash

The ashes of burnt plants are used in making glass and soap[207].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. There is some doubt over the correct application of this name, it probably refers to S. depressa[270]. The plants native habitat will give some idea of its cultivation needs.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise in spring, in a greenhouse in a light sandy compost. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division might be possible in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Russian Federation (Primorye), China (Hebei Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Qinghai Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu), Korea, Japan TROPICAL ASIA: India EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation-European part (European part (n. & s.)), Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sicily), Romania, Slovenia, France (incl. Corsica) AFRICA: Egypt, Morocco

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Salicornia bigeloviiDwarf Glasswort, Dwarf saltwortAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHNM301
Salicornia europaeaGlasswortAnnual0.3 -  LMHNDM302
Salicornia quinquefloraChicken Claws 0.0 -  LMHSNM102
Salicornia rubraRed Glasswort, red swampfireAnnual0.2 -  LMHSNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

60

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Manouane Deschenes   Fri Jun 19 2009

What is the nutritiona value of sea asparagus?

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