Sarcocornia quinqueflora is commonly known as beaded samphire, beaded glasswort or even sea asparagus, and is often found in the Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) of subtropical and temperate coastal saltmarsh.
Beaded samphire is a species of succulent halophytic coastal shrub and thrives in wet coastal areas with high salinity soils, like coastlines and estuaries. In the Northern Agricultural Region, it occurs in large quantities within the Irwin and Chapman River Estuaries. As a tolerable species, it will also grow on sandy beaches and in rocky areas, and can adapt to both drier soils and water logged soils. Beaded samphire prefers a warm, subtropical climate but can survive in a range of conditions and temperatures and has grown resilient to sudden environmental changes.
This species is a low-lying shrub that grows in an outward direction in uniform size and length to form mat-like groundcover. When stems first start growing, they are grey or green in colour and fleshy, drying out and becoming woody as they mature. Leaves grow from the base on the bumps called petioles and create a ‘beaded’ look, often with red colouring on the tip.
As a perennial, meaning it functions through several reproductive cycles, this species does not produce a genetic variety of seeds, and rather, propagates clonally. Beaded samphire is able to spread rapidly by producing genetically identical copies of the healthiest organisms for strong growth. When thriving in an ideal environment, it will seed genets, which hold unique genetics that allow the population to continue evolving and diversifying, making for a stronger future. When temperatures begin to warm, often around spring, seeds will begin to germinate.
Salicornia quinqueflora is characterized as gynodioecious, which means that two kinds of populations exist – those containing only hermaphrodite plants, and those containing both female and hermaphrodite plants. Not only are most populations entirely hermaphrodite, but they are also protogynous, meaning the female organ (the stigma) matures before the male organ (the anthers) to prevent self-fertilisation. The stigma will make an appearance a couple of days before the anthers, and will remain visible for around five days. Anthers, on the other hand, reveal themselves one at a time, releasing pollen in the morning hours, which is then carried by the wind. Simultaneously, the stigma protrudes and is fertilised by the pollen from the hermaphrodite plants, thus the life cycle begins.
Interestingly, beaded samphire is an edible plant, and can be enjoyed stewed, in a salad, as a seafood garnish, pickled, or served simply as a hot vegetable. Being naturally salty in flavor, it has been compared to beans, and is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and B-complex vitamins. However, this species often occurs in the Threatened Ecological Community of coastal saltmarsh, and if found in these environments, should not be interfered with, and rather be left to thrive.
Historically, beaded samphire was collected and burned for its ashes to be used in making soap and glass. It is thought that this is the name ‘glasswort’ came to be.
This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and NACC NRM, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.