Sarcocornia fruticosa (L.) A.J.Scott
Diagnostic description:
A spreading, much-branched, woody-based perennial. Stems non-rooting, erect, up to 100 cm tall; generally glaucous. Branches fleshy, articulated; the fertile one 2 to 10 cm long, with up to 27 fertile segments, and up to 5 sterile ones. Flowers in cymes of 3 or 5 flowers, shorter than the segment; the base partly covered by the scarious margin of the lower segment. Seeds with short conical hairs.
Distribution:
Local: Rare in Gibraltar. Found along the culvert between Victoria Stadium and the Airfield.
Global: Found throughout most of the Mediterranean region.
Ecology:
Flowers from October, November to December.
Habitat:
Grows on coastal habitats, particularly coastal marshes.