Salicornia rubra
Red pickleweed
(c) earl woolsey, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Salicornia rubra (Red pickleweed) is a native California subshrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by small size, narrow spikes (1.8-3.2mm), and few fertile nodes (4-10).
Red pickleweed is a California native annual found in the central coastal bioregion in salt marshes and alkaline soils at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in compact, fleshy stems. Growing 5 to 25 centimeters tall with somewhat erect, generally branched stems, it forms dense, succulent clusters in saline environments. Its leaves are reduced and scale-like, with obtuse to slightly acute tips that blend seamlessly into the plant's distinctive fleshy structure. The plant produces tiny seeds with short, hooked hairs that aid in dispersal across its salt marsh habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are small size, narrow spikes (1.8-3.2mm), and few fertile nodes (4-10)
Habitat and range
Habitat: Salt marshes, alkaline soils
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: to Alaska, Michigan, New Mexico, eastern Canada
Bloom period
Salicornia rubra 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 rubra native to California?
Yes. Salicornia rubra is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salicornia rubra bloom?
Salicornia rubra blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Salicornia rubra belong to?
Salicornia rubra is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Salicornia.
What habitat does Salicornia rubra grow in?
Salicornia rubra grows in Salt marshes, alkaline soils.
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.