Salicornia quinqueflora
| Salicornia quinqueflora | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Salicornia quinqueflora (common name: chicken claws)
Propagation: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise in spring, in a greenhouse in a light sandy compost. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division might be possible in the spring.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it is unlikely succeed outdoors in any but the mildest parts of the country. The plants native habitat will give some idea of its cultivation needs.
Range: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria. New Zealand.
Habitat: Coastal rock platforms and rock crevices in New Zealand[1]. Salt flats high in the intertidal area in Australia[2].
Edibility: Young shoots - raw or cooked[3][4]. A salty taste[2][5]. Used mainly as a pickle[5]. Each stem has a fibrous woody core that makes the plant much less appealing as a vegetable or pickle[5].
Usage: The ashes obtained from burning this plant are rich in potash and are used in making soap or glass.[3][6]] The ashes can also be used as a soap for cleaning fabrics[7].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: S. australis. Sol. Sarcocornia quinqueflora.
Links
References
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cribb, Alan and Joan Cribb. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana, 1976.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brooker, Stanley. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press, 1991.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Low, Tim. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson, 1989.
- ↑ Cribb, Alan. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins, 1981.
- ↑ Buchanan, Rita. A Weavers Garden.