any of several fleshy plants (genera Salicornia and Salsola) of the goosefoot family, often found in saline coastal or desert areas: the ash is called barilla and formerly was used in making soap and glass
Origin:
glass + wort
See glasswort in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Any of various plants of the genus Salicornia, growing in salt marshes and having fleshy stems and rudimentary, scalelike leaves. Also called samphire.