[Wikipedia] Potential Oil Crop, Health Benefits: This plant is gaining scientific attention for its potential to serve as an oil crop that can be grown in desert environments and maintained with water containing high levels of salts.[7] It is the source of salicornia oil. The seed of the plant is up to 33% oil.[8] The oil contains up to 79% linoleic acid and is functionally similar to safflower oil.[9] It can be used as a cooking oil and a replacement for more valuable oils in chicken feed. Domestic animals can be fed the plant as a forage.[10] The plant could also be a source of biofuel.[11] Salicornia has numerous health benefits and the bioactive metabolites of salicornia have important pharmaceutical applications.[12] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)