Practical
Plants

Salicornia quinqueflora

Chicken Claws

a member of the Salicornia genus in the family Chenopodiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoots - raw or cooked[2][5]. A salty taste[1][6]. Used mainly as a pickle[6]. Each stem has a fibrous woody core that makes the plant much less appealing as a vegetable or pickle[6].

Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The ashes obtained from burning this plant are rich in potash and are used in making soap or glass[2][3]]. The ashes can also be used as a soap for cleaning fabrics[4].

Product or use
Cleanser
Product or use
Potash

Environment

Range
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria. New Zealand.
Habitat
Coastal rock platforms and rock crevices in New Zealand[7]. Salt flats high in the intertidal area in Australia[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

References

  1. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4

    ↩1↩2

  2. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

    ↩1↩2

  3. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-00-216441-8

    ↩

  4. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩

  5. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩

  6. Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-207-14383-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

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