This name is not universally accepted. The African Plant Database[] uses both this name and Arthrocnemum pachystachyum (Bunge ex Ung.-Sternb.) A.Chev., as correct names for the species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Salicornia pachystachya is an erect annual plant that grows up to 40cm tall. The stem has numerous suberect or ascending lateral branches; the plant is seemingly leafless, but the stems comprise numerous superposed, more or less tubular succulent segments, each segment at apex forming a little cup with 2 short teeth embracing the base of the next higher segment[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East Africa - coastal areas from Kenya to S. Africa, Madagascar and other African Indian Ocean islands.

Habitat

Salt marshes and mangrove swamps at sea-level near coasts[]. Saline-water swamp forest with Avicennia marina and Lumnitzera racemosa mangrove; in more open parts with Suaeda on yellow sandy clay; at sea-level[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Young shoots - raw or cooked[]. A distinctive, salty flavour, much liked by some[]. They can be eaten fresh in salads or as a garnish, pickled in vinegar, or as a cooked vegetable, similar to other Salicornia species outside Africa[].

Medicinal

It is said that juice of the fresh plant is an excellent diuretic[].

Other Uses

The plant is rich in salt. Formerly, the ash of Salicornia species was used for washing[].

Propagation

Seed -

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