Glasswort
Salicornia · Also known as: pickleweed, marsh samphire, sea asparagus
Jointed, pickle-green succulent of high marsh flats. Salicornia species turn red in fall on Assateague edges.
Quick facts
| Group | Salt marsh plant |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★☆ |
| Habitats | Salt marsh, Coastal bays, Assateague State Park, Assateague National Seashore |
| Seasons (this coast) | spring, summer, fall |
How to recognize them
- Segmented, fleshy stems like tiny green pickles; no obvious leaves—looks almost like a miniature cactus.
- Often forms low carpets in salt pannes; many stems blush crimson in autumn.
Biology notes
- Halophyte that stores salt in vacuoles and sheds it; thrives where cordgrass gives way to bare, salty flats.
- Several Salicornia species occur on the Mid-Atlantic coast (e.g., S. virginica, S. depressa)—field ID to species is expert-level.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- High marsh pannes and creek margins on Assateague bay side—look from boardwalks and kayak routes.
- Mud-flat edges near West Ocean City and Isle of Wight Bay at extreme low tide.
When to look
- Bright green summer; best color show late summer into fall when stems redden.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Stay on trails—marsh pans are soft and easy to sink into.
- Edible when young in some regions; do not harvest in protected seashore areas.
