Scientific Name

Sarcocornia quinqueflora

Family

Chenopodiaceae

Description

This succulent perennial herb has branches that reach 20 cm in height, and stems that creep along the ground.

The stems are leafless and segmented, and set roots at the nodes.

Bead weed is usually green, but in conditions of stress - for example, when in low water and high sunlight - it turns red.

Stem segments are 5-10 cm long and 3-4 mm in diameter.

Between five and seven inconspicuous flowers grow in a single row around the flower head.

The plant flowers from November to February.

Bead weed usually grows in the wettest area of saltmarsh.

The species can be distinguished by its low-growing mat formation with upright tips (decumbent), compared with the low-growing (procumbent) shrub growth forms of glasswort.

In shady conditions the growth form can change and the plant has longer upright branches.

Distribution

The plant is found along the entire Queensland coast.

Flowering Period

Distribution

Features