Scientific name: Salicornia ramosissima Woods.
Common name: Purple Glasswort
Description
Habit: A hairless annual, up to 40 cm, green, becoming dark purple.
Stems: Erect or semi-erect, much-branched, fleshy, jointed, concealed by leaves; apical edge of fertile segments with a membranous border 0.1-0.2 mm wide.
Leaves: Apparently leafless but fleshy opposite leaves are pressed tight to the stem, partly fused together, concealing the stem.
Flowers: Terminal spikes up to 3 cm long; flowers green, in groups of 1-3, central one much larger; fertile segments with convex sides; stamens 1, anthers 0.2-0.5 mm; ovary superior, 1-celled.
Fruits: An achene, 1-1.7 mm.
Habitat: Salt-marshes and well-drained sandy pans.
Distribution: Occasional.
Native status: Native
Of conservation interest: No