Sea plant
Glasswort
Salicornia Sp.
Out of season
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Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
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Minimum size
Description
It is a fleshy, succulent plant that appears to be composed of small cylindrical segments nested one inside the other. It has no visible leaves (they are reduced to small scales). Its stem is jointed and often ends in a flower spike. It is bright green in spring and summer. In the fall, it often takes on a magnificent reddish-purple or violet hue before withering. It is naturally very salty and crunchy, with a distinct briny flavor. Depending on the species and conditions, it generally grows to a height of between 5 and 30 cm.
Habitat
Salicornia grows in the intertidal zone, more specifically in the area known as the salt marsh. It colonizes the salt mud and muddy sands of coastal marshes. It is a pioneer plant: it is often the first to establish itself on bare mudflats. It is able to withstand regular submersion in seawater. To survive in salty conditions, it stores water in its fleshy tissues.
Distribution
Various species of Salicornia are found in nearly all temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is widespread along all European coasts (the Atlantic, the English Channel, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean). It is particularly emblematic of the Baie de Somme, the Guérande salt marshes, Charente-Maritime, and the Languedoc ponds.