Barilla plant, (Salsola soda), is a plant belonging to the family of the Chenopodiaceae, of small size (maximum 70 cm), annual, and it has succulent leaves and stems. It is a halophyte plant, It has fleshy green leaves with either green or generally reddish stems. It produces small flowers forming inflorescences and that sprout directly from the stem at the base of the leaves.
The plant is edible and therefore it is widely used in cookery where it is called agretto.
This plant, like the European Salicornia, it has been an important source of soda, considered even essential for industrial purpose until the early nineteenth century. Soda (sodium carbonate) was extracted from the ashes of burned plants and then it could be used in the processing of glass, for the production of soap and for other various purposes.