<p>Australia is home to a rich assemblage of samphires (<i>Tecticornia</i> and <i>Salicornia</i> spp.) which are largely endemic, inhabiting saline and semi-saline areas across climatically diverse regions. While these plants are adapted to harsh conditions, they are vulnerable to the effects of climate change which is anticipated to exacerbate existing management and environmental pressures. Despite the threatened and priority status of many samphires, there is an overall lack of knowledge surrounding their distribution, ecology and responses to environmental threats, data which we believe is critical to support their conservation and management. We have compiled and critically assessed peer-reviewed and online grey literature and databases to provide an overview of threatened and poorly known samphires in Australia, with particular reference to their distribution, threats and ecological responses. Of the 58 species and 19 subspecies recorded in Australia, two are federally listed as threatened, eight have a formal conservation listing in at least one state or territory, and 25 are recognised as data deficient or priority taxa. Five samphire communities are also listed as threatened and seven are considered Priority Ecological Communities. We found gaps in data relevant to these threatened and priority species, with 40% having fewer than 20 distribution records available nationally. Species were distributed across 11 Conservation Management Zones (and 27 biogeographic regions). Despite their legislative protection, few species have management or recovery plans or peer reviewed ecological studies to guide conservation and management efforts. We propose further research to support effective management of these unique species and ecological communities.</p>