any of various plants of sea beaches, salt marshes, and alkaline regions, especially belonging to the genus Salsola, of the amaranth family, as S. kali, a bushy plant having prickly leaves, or belonging to the genus Salicornia.
Origin of saltwort
1560–70; translation of Dutchzoutkruid, equivalent to zout salt + kruid herb. See salt1, wort1
Also called: glasswort, kaliany of several chenopodiaceous plants of the genus Salsola, esp S. kali, of beaches and salt marshes, which has prickly leaves, striped stems, and small green flowersSee also barilla
