Salicornia Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Salicornia

Salicornia europaea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Amaranthaceae
Subfamily:	Salicornioideae
Genus:	Salicornia L.

Salicornia (say "sal-ih-KOR-nee-uh") is a special group of plants. These plants are also called glasswort or marsh samphire. They are unique because they grow in very salty places. You can find them on beaches in the sand and in salt marshes. Salt marshes are wet, grassy areas near the coast.

Salicornia is a "pioneer plant." This means it is one of the first plants to grow in new, salty areas. It is also one of the few plants in salt marshes that needs salt to live. Some types of Salicornia are edible, meaning people can eat them. Geese that spend the winter on the coast also feed on these plants. Long ago, the ash from these plants was used to make Sodium carbonate. This was important for making things like soap and glass.

Where Salicornia Lives
- How Salicornia Handles Salt
What Salicornia Looks Like
Uses of Salicornia
- Food for People and Animals
- Historical Uses
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Images for kids
See also

Where Salicornia Lives

Salicornia plants are found all over the world. They grow in coastal areas and inland salt flats. They are "halophytes," which means they love salt. Most plants would die in such salty soil. But Salicornia has special ways to handle the salt.

How Salicornia Handles Salt

Salicornia plants have unique adaptations. They can take in salty water. Then, they store the extra salt in special parts of their stems. When the salt builds up too much, these parts of the plant turn red. They then drop off, taking the salt with them. This helps the plant stay healthy.

What Salicornia Looks Like

Salicornia plants often look like small, green, jointed stems. They don't have many leaves. Their stems are fleshy, like a succulent plant. This helps them store water. In the fall, many Salicornia plants turn bright red or orange. This makes the salt marshes look very colorful.

Uses of Salicornia

Salicornia has been used by people for a long time.

Food for People and Animals

Many types of Salicornia are edible. They have a salty, slightly crunchy taste. People often eat them raw in salads. They can also be steamed or stir-fried. They are sometimes called "sea beans" or "sea asparagus." Wild animals, like geese, also eat Salicornia. It provides food for them, especially in winter.

Historical Uses

In the past, the ash from burned Salicornia was very important. This ash contains a lot of sodium carbonate. Sodium carbonate was used to make glass and soap. This is why Salicornia is sometimes called "glasswort." It was a valuable plant for these industries.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Salicornia plants usually grow from seeds. They produce tiny flowers. These flowers are often hidden in the joints of their stems. After flowering, the plants produce seeds. These seeds can float on water. This helps them spread to new salty areas. Some types of Salicornia are annuals, meaning they live for only one year. Others are perennials, living for many years.