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Salicornia bigelovii - Torr.

Common Name Dwarf Glasswort, Dwarf saltwort
Family Chenopodiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
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].
Habitats Salt marshes by the coast[43, 235, 270], often colonising new areas of mud flats through its prolific seed production[252].
Range Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Florida and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Salicornia bigelovii Dwarf Glasswort, Dwarf saltwort


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2
Salicornia bigelovii Dwarf Glasswort, Dwarf saltwort
www.flickr.com/photos/annaarmitage

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

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

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Salicornia mucronata Bigelow, non Lag.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Oil  Oil
Edible Uses: Oil  Oil

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].

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Oil  Oil

The seed contains about 30% oil[252].

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 many parts of the country. The plants native habitat will give some idea of its cultivation needs. Recent research has shown this plant to have excellent potential as a commercial crop in arid and desert regions near the sea. It needs irrigation, which can sustainably be provided by using sea water.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in situ as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise sow in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 europaeaGlasswortAnnual0.3 -  LMHNDM302
Salicornia quinquefloraChicken Claws 0.0 -  LMHSNM102
Salicornia rubraRed Glasswort, red swampfireAnnual0.2 -  LMHSNM10 
Salicornia virginicaVirginia GlasswortPerennial0.3 -  LMHNM111

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Torr.

Botanical References

43235270

Links / References

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

Readers comment

M.A.Morsy   Sat Aug 25 2007

from where can we get sos7,sos10? is there any scientfic center would like to participate in a resarch programe

Stevo   Tue Mar 24 2009

where can I obtain seeds?

Heinz Koptisch   Fri Dec 4 2009

Where can I obtain seeds for 3 ha?

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Subject : Salicornia bigelovii  
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