Salicornia pacifica
Glasswort
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Salicornia pacifica (Glasswort) is a native California subshrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by key distinguishing feature is subshrub growth form vs annual habit.
Glasswort is a California native subshrub found in coastal and southern California bioregions including the Central Coast, San Francisco Bay, Southern California, Channel Islands, and Peninsular Ranges in salt marshes and alkaline flats at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from July to November, this plant produces inconspicuous greenish flowers in dense spikes 20 to 85 millimeters long. Growing 10 to 70 centimeters tall with spreading to erect stems that occasionally root at the base, it forms a complex branching structure with multiple green branches. Its fleshy, scale-like leaves are reduced, giving the plant a distinctive succulent appearance typical of salt-tolerant coastal habitats. The plant produces tiny seeds with hooked hairs, which aid in dispersal across its saline environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key distinguishing feature is subshrub growth form vs annual habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Salt marshes, alkaline flats
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Humboldt, Ventura, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Clara, Solano, Los Angeles, Inyo, Contra Costa, Alameda, Mendocino, Marin, Monterey, Sonoma, San Benito, Napa, Santa Cruz
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Salicornia pacifica blooms Jul-Nov.
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 pacifica native to California?
Yes. Salicornia pacifica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salicornia pacifica bloom?
Salicornia pacifica blooms Jul-Nov.
Where in California does Salicornia pacifica grow?
Salicornia pacifica occurs in Humboldt, Ventura, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Salicornia pacifica belong to?
Salicornia pacifica is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Salicornia.
What habitat does Salicornia pacifica grow in?
Salicornia pacifica 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.