Real Dictionary

glasswort in American English
any of several fleshy plants (genera Salicornia and Salsola) of the goosefoot family, often found in saline coastal or desert areas: the ash is called barilla and formerly was used in making soap and glass
noun: any of several plants of the genus Salicornia, of the goosefoot family, having succulent stems with rudimentary leaves, formerly used, when burned to ashes, as a source of soda for glassmaking

glasswort in British English
noun: 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