Arthrocnemum subterminale
Parish's glasswort
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Arthrocnemum subterminale (Parish's glasswort) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by Only Arthrocnemum in CA - distinguished from annual Salicornia by woody perennial growth and embedded flowers in stem segments rather….
Parish's glasswort is a California native shrub found in the Central Valley, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, Channel Islands, western Mojave Desert, and Sonoran Desert regions in salt marshes and alkaline flats at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers in small spikes. Growing in dense clumps up to one meter in diameter with spreading to erect stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact, low-growing clusters. Its succulent, jointed stems are distinctive, with green to grayish-green segments that help the plant survive in harsh, saline environments. The fruits are dark brown seeds approximately 1 to 1.4 millimeters long, well-adapted to its salt marsh habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Arthrocnemum in CA - distinguished from annual Salicornia by woody perennial growth and embedded flowers in stem segments rather than terminal spikes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Salt marshes, alkaline flats
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Yolo, San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Fresno, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, San Mateo, Alameda, Colusa, Santa Clara, Solano
Outside California: northern Mexico
Bloom period
Arthrocnemum subterminale blooms Apr-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Salicornia: Arthrocnemum is a woody perennial; Salicornia is an annual that dies back completely yearly.; vs Allenrolfea: Arthrocnemum has opposite scale-leaves; Allenrolfea has alternate scale-leaves spiraling around stem.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arthrocnemum subterminale native to California?
Yes. Arthrocnemum subterminale is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arthrocnemum subterminale bloom?
Arthrocnemum subterminale blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Arthrocnemum subterminale grow?
Arthrocnemum subterminale occurs in Yolo, San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Fresno, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Arthrocnemum subterminale belong to?
Arthrocnemum subterminale is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Arthrocnemum.
What habitat does Arthrocnemum subterminale grow in?
Arthrocnemum subterminale grows in Salt marshes, alkaline flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.