Salicornia macrostachya Moric., Fl. Veneta 2. 1820; S. virginica Forssk., FI. Aegypt-Arab. 2. 1775 non L., 1753; Arthrocnemum fruticosum Moq., var. macrostachyum (Moric.) Moq., Enum. Chenopod. 112. 1840; A. indicum (Willd.) Moq. subsp. glaucum (Ungern-Sternb.) Maire & Weiller in Maire, Fl. Afriq. Nord 8: 99. 1962; A. indicum auct non (Willd.) Moq. (1740): Jafri, Fl. Karachi 96. 1966.

Suffruticose, robust monoecious perennial, up to 150 cm tall, diffuse, glaucous - green; stem up to 1 cm in diam. woody; branches prostrate to erect, fleshy and jointed, 3-4 mm in diam. Flowers in horizontal groups of 3, embedded in axils. Male flowers in c. 2-3 cm long spikes; stamen usually 1, anther c. 0.8 mm long, ovoid, protruding from the joints. Female flowers on similar ‘spikes’, with only stigmas protruding out of the joints; perianth irregularly toothed or short-lobed; fruiting calyx spongy, c. 3 x 2 mm, adherent to the horny pericarp; seed c. 1 mm long.

Fl. Per.: October-December.

Type: Italy: Venice, “secus viam quae ad portum Malamocco ducit.”.

Distribution: Mediterranean coast of S.Europe, N. Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Iran and Pakistan.