The plants are fleshy and apparently articulated with characteristic globular or short-cylindrical lateral branches, and reduced leaves and flowers.

Young stems are succulent, glabrous, apparently articulated, with characteristic globular to short-cylindrical lateral branches.

The opposite leaves are fleshy, glabrous, sessile, joined at base and surrounding the stem, their blades reduced to small scales.

[4] During the 19th century further species were added, later these were grouped into other genera or treated just as synonyms of Halocnemum strobilaceum.

[6] Phylogenetic research confirmed, that Halocnemum is closely related to the genus Halostachys.

[5] Plants are very good prime colonizers and are often used to rehabilitate pastures on highly saline soils.