Salicornia rubra, commonly known as Rocky Mountain glasswort, is a halophytic annual herb native to saline environments such as inland salt flats, coastal marshes, and alkaline soils of North America, specifically in regions like the Yukon, Nunavut, and western U.S. states including Utah and Wyoming. It thrives in areas where few other plants can survive, playing a crucial role in such unique ecosystems by providing habitat and food for wildlife. Typically, it forms dense, succulent clumps that can be green, red, or purple, depending on the season and environmental conditions. The plant reaches up to 30 cm in height and produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are often overlooked due to their size and the plant’s overall growth habit.

Rocky Mountain glasswort is valued for its extreme salt tolerance and is sometimes used in saline soil reclamation projects. It is also of interest for its potential in biofuel production due to its ability to grow in harsh conditions. In gardens, it can be used in rock gardens or as a curiosity due to its unique appearance and texture. It requires full sun exposure and can tolerate a range of soil types as long as they are well-drained and saline. While not commonly found in cultivation, it can be an interesting addition to specialized plant collections.CC BY-SA 4.0