barilla

n. [ Sp. barrilla. ] 1. (Bot.) A name given to several species of Salsola from which soda is made, by burning the barilla in heaps and lixiviating the ashes. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Com.) (a) The alkali produced from the plant, being an impure carbonate of soda, used for making soap, glass, etc., and for bleaching purposes. (b) Impure soda obtained from the ashes of any seashore plant, or kelp. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Copper barilla (Min.), native copper in granular form mixed with sand, an ore brought from Bolivia; -- called also Barilla de cobre. [ 1913 Webster ]