Caryoxylon salicornicum Moq. in DC., Prodr. 13 (2): 174. 1849; Hammada salicornica (Moq.) Iljin in Bot. Zhurn. 33: 583. 1948; Zohary, Fl. Palaest. 164. 1966; Jafri & Rateeb in Jafri & El-Gadi, Fl. Lib. 94.1978.

Diffuse undershrub or shrub, pale, much branched, almost leafless, 25-60 cm tall, with woody stem; shoots ± ascending rigid, light coloured to white or waxy yellowish when dried. Leaves reduced to minute, short-triangular scales, connate into a short cup, membranous at margins, woolly within. Inflorescence consisting of short, 3-6 cm long, scattered spikes, mostly at the ends of pale greenish , main or lateral shoots of the current season. Bracteoles 2, ovate-concave, woolly at base. Stamens alternating with linear ovate staminodes, papillose at tips; styles short, stigmas 2, strongly papillose on inner side. Fruiting perianth including wings usually 7-8 mm across, somewhat brownish.

Fl. Per.: October-November.

Holotype: Afghanistan, Griffith 1796 (K).

Distribution: Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, C. & E. Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.