This common, salt marsh plant has many common names. It is often called Glasswort. How did it get that name?
Answer:
In order to make glass, you a flux, something that will dissolve in heated silica to change its melting point. The process is similar to what happens when you sprinkle salt on an ice covered sidewalk. Some of the first glasses were made by using either potash or soda ash as a flux, and burned Glasswort produces excellent soda ash.
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