A succulent, prostrate, grey-green plant with woody stems. Can be up to 30cm long. It appears leafless, however, what seems to be segments in the stem are in fact leaf bases. The stems are ccompletely covered with pairs of leaves that are fused together to form a rounded collar. In summer has tiny yellow flowers. May form indiviual patches upto 60 cm or more in diameter.

Found around the edges of saltmarshes and mudflats.High intertidal on salt marshes, estuaries and rock platforms.

Uses the suns energy for photosynthesis

In Europe a similar plant was burnt for use in soap and glass manufacture.

Jones, M. B., Marsden, I, D., 2005, Life in the Estuary. Canterbury University Press. Metcalf, L., 2009, Know your New Zealand Native Plants.