It is a very branched shrub with the upper branches covered with small linear and fleshy leaves; often, the whole plant acquires reddish colorations. It is a frequent shrub in saline soils, both in humid areas and on the coast (including rocky areas). It can form monospecific communities or be associated with other halophytic shrub species of the same family (Sarcocornia fruticosa, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, etc.). It is frequent on islets and cliffs where gulls breed.