Salicornia perennis
Chickenclaws
(c) Duarte Frade, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Salicornia perennis (Chickenclaws) is a native California shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by prostrate matted woody stem with short erect flowering branches.
Chickenclaws is a California native shrub found in northern coastal bioregions in salt marshes at elevations below 20 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces inconspicuous flowers in dense, compact spikes. Growing with woody, prostrate stems that spread up to one meter in diameter and produce erect flowering branches 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms a low, matted ground cover. Its stems are segmented with small, scale-like leaves that blend into the plant's succulent, jointed structure. The tiny seeds are distinctive, covered in hooked hairs that help with dispersal in the salty marsh environment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key feature is prostrate matted woody stem with short erect flowering branches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Salt marshes
Elevation: < 20 m
Outside California: to Alaska
Bloom period
Salicornia perennis blooms Aug-Oct.
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 perennis native to California?
Yes. Salicornia perennis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salicornia perennis bloom?
Salicornia perennis blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Salicornia perennis belong to?
Salicornia perennis is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Salicornia.
What habitat does Salicornia perennis grow in?
Salicornia perennis grows in 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.