Dwarf Glasswort

Salicornia bigelovii is an annual herb that grows in saltwater environments, particularly in salt marshes. It has an erect, branching stem with fleshy, green to red segments. The plant's leaves are typically small and paired, forming bands around the stem. The flowers are arranged in a dense, spike-like inflorescence, with each flower enclosed in a fused sepal pocket that contains the stamens and stigmas. The plant produces an utricle as a fruit, which contains tiny, fuzzy seeds. It is found in coastal areas from Maine to California and in parts of Mexico and Central America. In the Yucatán, it is a common plant in the Petenes mangroves.