ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Glasswort

Hello there kiddo! Today let's talk about something called "glasswort". Glasswort is a special kind of plant, also known as Salicornia, that grows in salty areas like coastal marshes and salt flats.

Now, when you think of plants, you might think of trees or grass that you see outside, but glasswort looks a bit different. It is a very small plant that is mostly green and kind of looks like a tiny pickle.

But, what's really cool about glasswort is that it can actually survive in really salty soil, and even helps to remove salt from the soil! It does this by sucking up the salt from the soil and leaves it behind in special little sacs, which makes it easier for other plants to grow in the area.

But wait, there's more! Glasswort is actually edible and can be used in cooking. People sometimes eat it like a salty vegetable or use it in salads to add some texture and flavor. It's even been used as a salty flavoring for things like soy sauce!

So, that's basically what glasswort is. A small but mighty plant that grows in salty areas, helps to remove salt from the soil, and can be eaten too!