General Description:

Salicornia is a genus of about 50 species with 3 occurring in Australia.  They are perennial, succulent plants having swollen and jointed branches.  The genus includes those previously in Sarcocornia.

Salicornia quinqueflora (syn. Sarcocornia quinqueflora) is a perennial plant up to 30 cm high and wide which spreads by forming roots on the prostrate stems.  The leaves tend to form a sheath around the stems giving the appearance of beaded segments that are often red towards the tips.  Small white flowers appear from the joints between the “beads” from autumn to winter and are followed by spongy fruit about 8 mm long.

Samphire can be grown in a sunny position in most soil types or as a container plant.  As it grows naturally in saline environments, regular watering with a dilute sea salt solution is reported to be beneficial.  Plants are damaged by frost. The young, fleshy stems are edible and are best harvested in spring and summer when the stems are at their freshest.

Propagation is easy from seed without pre-treatment.  It is reported that cuttings can be struck in jars of water as well as in a sandy propagating mix.