[4][5] Beaded glasswort, Salicornia quinqueflora, is a species of succulent, salt tolerant plant.

They are normally found near salt water bodies (along the coast or estuaries) and grow in a mat form along the ground.

They grow on small bumpy petioles – which is the part of a stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem.

Growing at the end of the stem, the inflorescences (another name for clusters of flowers) are spikey, and made up of small segments with largecymes.

[7] The unisex or bisexual flowers are nearly always identical in size and grow in an outwardly symmetrical style along the stems.

The seeds are vertical and spherical in shape, light brown, hairy and also have a membrane on the exterior.

[7] Glassworts are perennials,[9] meaning that they go through many reproductive cycles and they do not necessarily need to produce genetically unique seeds all the time.

They make genetically identical copies of the healthiest organisms to spread quickly and asexually.

Most populations are entirely hermaphrodite except for the coasts of Nelson & Foxton, Tasman Bays, and the central regions of Otago in New Zealand.

[4] The preferred habitat of Salicornia quinqueflora is anywhere where salty water tends to be – so along coastlines, salt marshes, sandy beaches and rocky areas.

[10] The introduction of invasive species into the endemic regions for beaded glasswort are a major cause of habitat loss.

[6] Non-native species tend to grow quicker and faster than the native glasswort, allowing them to easily overtake their habitats.

[19] The glasswort gall mite, Aceria rubifaciens, was discovered in Auckland in 1948 and rediscovered in 2013 in an estuary near the Firth of Thames.

The mites live inside the galls which offer them protection from larger predators and weather conditions.

[16] Salicornia quinqueflora has been found growing in inland regions of Central Otago, the Maniototo Plain.

The Maniototo plain has developed highly saline soils due to the extreme dryness of the area.

As the seeds were transported into the area by birds, the plant began to grow in the inland region.

As habitats for the glasswort decline due to human development, it becomes harder for the parrot to find the amount of seeds it needs to survive.

[22] It is recommended to eat the fresh, young, upper parts of the glasswort stems raw, as they are tender and more flavourful.

The natural salty content and flavor means that glasswort is good in soups or stews for extra flavour, or can be served as a hot vegetable as well.