Salicornia depressa
Virginia glasswort
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Salicornia depressa (Virginia glasswort) is a native California subshrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by cylindric internodes with length >= width and obtuse tips.
Virginia glasswort is a California native annual found in coastal central California, southern California, the Mojave Desert, and western desert regions in salt marshes and alkaline flats at elevations below 610 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in dense, cylindrical green to grayish-green segments. Growing 10 to 70 centimeters tall with erect to prostrate branching stems that form dense, fleshy clusters, it adapts well to highly saline environments. Its leaves are reduced to small, obtuse segments that wrap closely around the succulent stem, creating a distinctive jointed appearance. The plant produces tiny seeds with small hooked hairs, which aid in dispersal across its harsh saltwater habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are cylindric internodes with length >= width and obtuse tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Salt marshes, alkaline flats
Elevation: < 610 m
California counties: Humboldt, Ventura, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Solano, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Mendocino, San Bernardino, San Diego, Sonoma, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Orange
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern United States, Baja California
Bloom period
Salicornia depressa blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Arthroceras: Salicornia is an annual dying back yearly; Arthrocnemum is a woody perennial shrub.; vs Allenrolfea: Salicornia has opposite scale-leaves; Allenrolfea has alternate scale-leaves spiraling around stem.; vs Euphorbia: Salicornia has jointed succulent stems; Euphorbia bleeds white milky sap when broken.; vs Mesembryanthemum: Salicornia has jointed stems with sunken flowers; Mesembryanthemum has obvious daisy-like flowers.; vs Batis: Salicornia has flowers sunken in stem segments; Batis has cone-like flower clusters on stalks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Salicornia depressa native to California?
Yes. Salicornia depressa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salicornia depressa bloom?
Salicornia depressa blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Salicornia depressa grow?
Salicornia depressa occurs in Humboldt, Ventura, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Solano, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 610 m.
What plant family does Salicornia depressa belong to?
Salicornia depressa is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Salicornia.
What habitat does Salicornia depressa grow in?
Salicornia depressa 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.