glasört

Glasört is a common name used in Scandinavian languages for a group of succulent, salt-tolerant plants in the family Amaranthaceae, broadly corresponding to species known in English as glasswort, samphire or pickleweed. These plants have jointed, fleshy stems and tiny, inconspicuous flowers; many species are annuals while others are perennial. They are adapted to saline environments and typically occur in salt marshes, tidal flats, and coastal dunes across temperate and subtropical regions.

Historically, glassworts were collected and burned to produce a crude soda ash (rich in sodium carbonate) that was an important source of alkali for glassmaking and soap production in Europe until industrial chemical processes became widespread in the 19th century. Several species and related halophytes were therefore called "glasswort" because of that association. Young shoots of some species are edible and have been used as a culinary vegetable, often referred to as samphire or sea asparagus, prized for their salty, crisp texture.

Ecologically, glasört species contribute to salt marsh stability, provide habitat and food for birds and invertebrates, and participate in nutrient cycling in coastal systems. Some populations are affected by coastal development, habitat drainage and changes in salinity regimes, making local conservation and habitat management relevant for preserving diversity of these halophytic communities.