Prickly Saltwort
Salsola kali
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Prickly Saltwort is a strange, succulent annual of the strandline — its jointed, fleshy stems branch out like a small cactus and each leaf tip ends in a sharp spine (hence 'prickly'). It grows directly in the wrack line, rooted in the rotting seaweed of the strandline. The soda glass industry historically extracted ash from burnt Saltwort for glass-making — it's one of the 'glasswort' relatives. Despite looking spiny and unfriendly, it has tiny inconspicuous flowers.
At a Glance
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Habitat | Strandline · Upper beach · Bare sand |
| UK population | Common on sandy beaches around the UK coast |
| Sefton Coast | Annual on the strandline at Formby and Ainsdale in variable numbers |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Strandline and upper beach at Formby and Ainsdale. Grows in the wrack line.
Identification
Small annual. Jointed, succulent, pale green stems. Leaves reduced to fleshy lobes ending in a sharp spine. Branching, low-growing. Inconspicuous flowers at leaf bases. Growing in strandline.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Look at the high tide line at Formby in summer. The fleshy, cactus-like plant among the dried seaweed is Prickly Saltwort.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prickly Saltwort related to the tumbleweed of American westerns?
Yes. The 'tumbleweed' of American films is largely Salsola tragus, a relative of Prickly Saltwort. When these plants die, they dry out, break off at the base and roll across the landscape in the wind, scattering seeds. Some Salsola species are invasive weeds across the world — introduced from Europe to North America and now widespread in the western United States.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.