Saltwort
ExplorePlants
Saltwort
Batis maritima
Saltwort is a special plant that grows in salty places like beaches and marshes. It has thick, green leaves and can help protect the land from waves and wind.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Saltwort is a low-growing, sprawling shrub with fleshy, bright green to reddish-tinged leaves that are long and narrow. It forms dense mats, especially noticeable in coastal areas, often having a somewhat succulent appearance distinct from typical marsh grasses.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBrassicalesFamilyBataceaeGenusBatis
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It thrives where seawater meets land, a habitat too harsh for most other plants to grow!
Its roots are like super glue for sand, holding dunes and shorelines together during strong storms!
Saltwort is sometimes called 'pickleweed' because its leaves taste salty and briny!
Some people use Saltwort leaves as a salty seasoning, a crunchy snack, or a unique salad green.
Special abilities
Ability
Salt Excreter
Saltwort has special glands that push excess salt out from its leaves, helping it thrive in extremely salty soils where most plants cannot survive.
Ability
Water Storage
Saltwort has thick, succulent leaves that store fresh water, helping it survive dry periods and high salt concentrations in its coastal home.
Ability
Shoreline Stabilizer
Saltwort can stabilize sandy and muddy shorelines with its extensive root system, protecting coastal areas from erosion caused by waves and wind.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-100 cm
- Spread
- 50-200 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.1-0.3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to Fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eaten by
Fiddler crab
Uca pugilator
Fiddler crabs sometimes graze on its succulent leaves.
shelters
Northern brown shrimp
Penaeus aztecus
Juvenile shrimp hide within its roots and surrounding mud.
eats
Humans
Homo sapiens
Humans consume its salty leaves as an edible vegetable.
symbiotic with
White mangrove
Laguncularia racemosa
Often grows with mangroves, stabilizing coastal environments together.
Traits
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Salt Tolerant
Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Succulent
Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Saltwort?
30-100 cm
How wide does Saltwort spread?
50-200 cm
How big are the flowers on Saltwort?
0.1-0.3 cm
When does Saltwort bloom?
Summer to Fall
Is Saltwort edible?
Yes
Is Saltwort toxic?
None
What is Saltwort's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Saltwort pollinated?
Wind
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