Bookmark and Share
Salicornia virginica - L.                  
                   
Common Name Virginia Glasswort
Family Chenopodiaceae
Synonyms
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Salty marshes and beaches[60].
Range W. Europe. Eastern and Western N. America.
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Moist Soil Full sun

Summary        

Physical Characteristics        
 icon of manicon of flower
PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)


The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade.It requires moist soil.



  
Habitats        
 Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses                                          
Edible Parts: Leaves.

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

The ashes of burnt plants are used in making glass and soap[207].
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.
                                                                                   
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.
Expert comment                                          
 
       
Author                                          
L.
                                                                                   
Botanical References                                          
60
                                                                                   
Links / References                                          

[60]Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
[172]Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
[207]Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers.
A nice read, lots of information on plant uses.
[257]Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
[270] Flora of N. America
An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.

Readers comment                                          
 
Elizabeth H.
Manouane Deschenes Fri Jun 19 2009
What is the nutritiona value of sea asparagus?
Rate This Plant                                          
Please rate this plants for how successful you have found it to be. You will need to be logged in to do this. Our intention is not to create a list of 'popular' plants but rather to highlight plants that may be rare and unusual and that have been found to be useful by website users. This hopefully will encourage more people to use plants that they possibly would not have considered before.
     
                                                                                   
Add a comment/link                                          

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at admin@pfaf.org. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

Subject : Salicornia virginica  
               

Links To add a link to another website with useful info add the details here
Name of Site
URL of Site
Details

                                            
                                                                                   
Discussion Monitor                                          

To have posts to this page mailed to you enter your email address here:
(Your email address will not appear on the webpage or be passed on to third parties).

                                          

Your Address :    
                                                                                   
   
 

All the information contained in these pages is Copyright (C) Plants For A Future, 1996-2010.
Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567,
Web Design & Management - www.pembertoncreative.com
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Some information cannot be used for commercial reasons or be modified (but some can). Please view the copyright link for more information.