glasswort

[ glas-wurt, -wawrt, glahs- ]
/ ˈglæsˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt, ˈglɑs- /

noun

any of several plants of the genus Salicornia, of the amaranth family, having succulent stems with rudimentary leaves, formerly used, when burned to ashes, as a source of soda for glassmaking.
Also called samphire.

Origin of glasswort

First recorded in 1590–1600; glass + wort2

British Dictionary definitions for glasswort

glasswort
/ (ˈɡlɑːsˌwɜːt) /

noun

Also called: marsh samphire any plant of the chenopodiaceous genus Salicornia, of salt marshes, having fleshy stems and scalelike leaves: formerly used as a source of soda for glass-making
another name for saltwort (def. 1)