Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum
Salt marsh bird's-beak, Salt Marsh Bird's-Beak
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum (Salt marsh bird's-beak) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by habitat and seed size diagnostic.
Salt marsh bird's-beak is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Central Coast (Morro Bay) and Southern California coastal salt marshes at elevations below 10 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces delicate flowers in loose or dense inflorescences with inner bracts slightly notched. Growing with multiple branches that are decumbent to ascending, with distal branches generally longer than the central spike, it forms a complex and intricate growth pattern. Its stems are slender and flexible, allowing the plant to adapt to the dynamic salt marsh environment. The plant produces seeds that are approximately 2 millimeters long, typically 15 to 20 in number, reflecting its survival strategy in challenging coastal habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; habitat and seed size diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal salt marsh
Elevation: < 10 m
California counties: Orange, Humboldt, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum blooms May-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
How to tell it apart
vs Castilleja: Leaves completely unlobed and smooth-edged, not lobed or divided.; vs Cordylanthus: Found exclusively in saline or alkaline habitats like salt marshes.; vs Cressa: Has typical Orobanchaceae hooded flowers, not small white tubular Convolvulaceae blooms.; vs Triphysaria: Calyx barely notched at tip (~1 mm), not deeply divided.; vs Orthocarpus: Leaves entirely unlobed, not lobed or divided in any way.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum native to California?
Yes. Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum bloom?
Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum grow?
Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum occurs in Orange, Humboldt, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of < 10 m.
What plant family does Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum belong to?
Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Chloropyron.
Is Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum rare or endangered?
Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chloropyron maritimum subsp. palustre — Point reyes salty bird's-beak
- Chloropyron molle — Soft bird's beak
- Chloropyron molle subsp. hispidum — Hispid salty bird's-beak
- Chloropyron molle subsp. molle — Soft salty bird's-beak
- Chloropyron palmatum — Palmate salty bird's-beak
- Chloropyron sp. — Salty bird's-beak
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.