Common Name: Glasswort

General Information

Arthrocnemum subterminale is a perennial plant forming a clump of usually much-branched, succulent, procumbent to erect stems growth 10 - 30cm tall. The bases of the stems are woody and persist, the plant clumps up to 100cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

South-western N. America - California to Mexico (Baja California, Sinaloa, Sonora)

Habitat

Salt marshes, depressions in alkali sage scrub; at elevations from sea level to 100 metres, occasionally to 400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Arthrocnemum subterminale is a plant of coastal, Mediterranean climates and is unlikely to experience any but the mildest of frosts. It grows in areas with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[].

Seed - ground into a meal[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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.