Batis maritima
Saltwort, beachwort, Beachwort
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Bataceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Batis maritima (Saltwort) is a native California subshrub in the Bataceae family, recognized by Only species in family Bataceae in California, unique succulent adaptation to hypersaline environments.
Saltwort is a California native perennial found in southern coastal regions in coastal salt marshes at elevations below 10 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces white flowers in small staminate and pistillate clusters. Growing prostrate to ascending with woody bases up to 1.5 meters tall, it forms low-spreading mats in salt marsh environments. Its leaves are linear to narrowly oblanceolate, approximately cylindrical and 1 to 2 centimeters long, with a slightly flattened upper surface. The fruit develops as a fleshy, spongy structure approximately 10 millimeters long that becomes corky with age.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only species in family Bataceae in California, unique succulent adaptation to hypersaline environments
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal salt marshes
Elevation: < 10 m
Outside California: to southeastern United States, Caribbean, northern South America, Hawaii
Bloom period
Batis maritima blooms Apr-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Salicornia: Pickleweed has jointed, apparently leafless succulent stems (leaves reduced to scales); Batis has obvious opposite, fleshy, semi-cylindric leaves.; vs Suaeda: Seepweed has alternate fleshy leaves and tiny flowers tucked in leaf axils; Batis has opposite leaves and small cone-like unisexual spikes.; vs Sesuvium: Sea-purslane also has opposite fleshy leaves but bears showy pink-purple star-shaped flowers; Batis flowers are minute and greenish in cone-like clusters.; vs Frankenia: Frankenia is a low mat with small opposite leaves and pink 5-petaled flowers; Batis lacks showy petaled flowers and has fleshier, semi-cylindric leaves.; vs Arthrocnemum: Arthrocnemum and related glassworts have jointed, leafless succulent stems; Batis carries distinct, paired fleshy leaves along a low woody-based stem.
Frequently asked questions
Is Batis maritima native to California?
Yes. Batis maritima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Batis maritima bloom?
Batis maritima blooms Apr-Sep.
What plant family does Batis maritima belong to?
Batis maritima is in the Bataceae family, genus Batis.
What habitat does Batis maritima grow in?
Batis maritima grows in Coastal salt marshes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.