glasswort

• Sammelbezeichnung für salztolerante, meist fleischige Pflanzen der Salzmarschen und Meeresküsten, die früher zur Soda- und Glasherstellung verbrannt wurden; auch Bezeichnung für Queller und andere salzliebende Fuchsschwanzgewächse.

A noun referring to a bushy plant of Old World salt marshes and sea beaches with prickly leaves, historically burned to produce crude soda ash; also a fleshy maritime plant with rudimentary scalelike leaves and small spikes of minute flowers, formerly used in glassmaking.

1. Bushy plant used for soda ashC2formal

   A bushy plant found in Old World salt marshes and sea beaches, with prickly leaves; historically burned to produce a crude soda ash used in glassmaking.

   Salzkraut

   • Glasswort was once harvested and burned to create soda ash for glass production.
   • The prickly leaves of glasswort distinguish it from other salt marsh plants.
   • Old World salt marshes are the natural habitat of this bushy glasswort species.

   Synonymesaltwort

2. C2formal

   A fleshy maritime plant with rudimentary scalelike leaves and small spikes of minute flowers; formerly used in the manufacturing of glass.

   Fleischige Meerespflanze

   • The fleshy stems of glasswort were collected for their high soda content.
   • Minute flowers appear in small spikes on this maritime plant.
   • Glasswort was an essential ingredient in traditional glassmaking processes.

   Synonymesamphire