1

COMMON HALOPHYTIC PLANTS

OF
TEXAS COASTAL MARSHES
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compiled by
Roy L. Lehman, Ph. D.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
REVISED August 2006
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Table of Contents
Page
Introduction.......................................................................................................4
Symphyotrichum subulatum...........Salt Marsh Aster.......................................6
Batis maritima................................Saltwort....................................................7
Borrichia frutescens.......................Sea Ox-Eye Daisy....................................8
Carex spp........................................Sedge........................................................9
Distichlis spicata............................Salt Grass................................................10
Eustoma exaltatum.........................Blue Bell Gentian....................................11
Machaeranthera phyllocephala......Camphor Daisy........................................12
Heliotropium curassavicum............Seaside Heliotrophe................................13
Juncus roemerianus........................Blackrush................................................15
Limonium carolinianum..................Sea Lavender...........................................16
Lycium carolinianum......................Carolina Wolfberry..................................17
Monanthochloe littoralis................Salt-Flat Grass.........................................18
Salicornia bigelovii.........................Annual Glasswort....................................19
Salicornia virginica........................Perennial Glasswort................................20
Scirpus robustus.............................Saltmarsh Bulrush...................................23
Sesuvium portulacastrum...............Sea Purslane............................................24
Spartina alterniflora.......................Smooth Cordgrass...................................26
Spartina patens...............................Saltmeadow Cordgrass............................27
Spartina alterniflora vs. S. patens...................................................................28
Sporobolus virginicus.....................Virginia Dropseed....................................29
Suaeda linearis...............................Sea Blight................................................30
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Tamarix gallica...............................Salt cedar.................................................32

Typha latifolia ................................Common Cattail......................................34
Ipomoea pes-caprae.......................Goatfoot Morning-Glory.........................36
Avicennia germinans.......................Black Mangrove......................................38
Texas salt marsh zonation................................................................................39
Bibliography.....................................................................................................40
Index................................................................................................................41
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Introduction

Along the shoreline fringe of Texas Coastal Marshes, are a group of

plants that are often overlooked or thought to be of little value. In reality,
they are unique vascular plants that have had to adapt to a very hostile
environment, most notably, one of higher salinity. These plants, which are
located along estuarine creeks and intertidal shorelines, are regarded by
biologists as some of the earth's most important, forming a foundation for
the development and maintenance of highly productive natural marsh areas.
Environmental conditions which are necessary for the formation of a marsh
include protection from wave action, a need of freshwater, sediment
deposition and shallow shorelines with very little slope or grade. The marsh
vegetation decays on the mud in the creek, recycles nutrients and forms the
base for an extensive food web that culminates in estuarine and fisheries
climax communities.
Most of the plants of salt marshes are referred to as halophytes (salt-
loving plants) and have xerophytic adaptations which allow for their
tolerance of salt conditions. Morphological and anatomical adaptations to
these conditions include shallow root formation with rhizomes, erect stems,
which develop from the rhizomes, modifications in the leaf structure (thin &
dry or thick & succulent), and specialized structures (hydathodes) which
reduce the loss of water.
The dominant angiosperm monocots along the Oso shoreline are
Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), Spartina patens (saltmeadow
cordgrass), Distichlis spicata (salt grass), Monanthochloe littoralis (salt-flat
grass) and Juncus (blackrush). Common dicots include Batis maritima
(saltwort), Borrichia frutescens (sea ox-eye daisy), Heliotropium
curassavicum (seaside heliotrophe), Limonium carolinianum (sea lavender),
Machaerantheras phyllocephala (camphor daisy), Salicornia bigelovii
(annual glasswort), Salicornia viriginica (perennial glasswort), Sesuvium
portulacastrum (sea purslane), Lycium carolinianum (Carolina wolfberry) and
Suaeda linearis (sea blight).
Salicornia is an excellent example of a succulent (fleshy-thick leaf)
halophyte that is unique in that it has a major modification of the loss of the
leaf blade, which is replaced by the wrapping of the fleshy leaf-petiole
around the stem. Spartina, an example of a halophytic plant with a thin, dry
leaf, uses modifications in the leaf structure to reduce the loss of water. The
leaf has a thin cuticle (outer waxy covering), deep leaf grooves on the upper
sides, and thin-walled hydathodes located at the base of the grooves. With
the loss of water, the hydathodes will collapse, resulting in the curling or
rolling of the leaf, and thereby reducing the leaf area exposed and
consequent water loss.
The major ecological roles of these plants and the marshes that they
form include the formation of organic matter with a release of nutrients,
furnishing habitat and food for animals, filtration of coastal runoff, erosion
control, and soil trapping and stabilization. Tidal flats are an extremely valuable
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habitat and should not be forgotten during decisions concerning conservation issues. Although
the gently sloping areas may appear sterile and contain little or no erect vegetation, the surface
sediment and substrate are composed of a multitude of plants and animals. The blue-green algae
(Cyanophyta) and certain bacteria are capable of fixing nitrogen from the air and are the primary
source of nutrient for plants surrounding the flats. When the area is inundated with high tides,
nitrogen mixes into the water column and is transported into salt marshes, seagrass beds and other
wetland areas. The flats are important nurseries for species of fish, crustaceans and other
invertebrates, as well as, feeding grounds for many shorebirds.
Except for freshwater ponds (dominated by Typha latifolia, cat-tail)
located along the shorelines, most of the marsh plants found are members
of a brackish type of marsh, which is normally situated landward of salt
marshes. These marshes are subjected to recurrent, though not extreme
flooding. The flooding may be both freshwater from rainfall and subsequent
runoff, or marine tidal inflow from extremely high tides. These are
transitional marshes that create an ecotone where plants from both the salt
marsh community and the freshwater marsh community meet and
integrate. The result is a blending of two or more adjacent vegetation types
and a more diverse community with an increased number of highly
adaptable plants that tend to colonize such transitional areas.
The following descriptions have been prepared for individuals with
some basic knowledge of plants. If you have difficulty in understanding
some of the terminology or identifying structures, obtain a general botany
text from the library and learn the parts of a plant, especially the structure
of the flower. Some effort may be required, but the rewards attained with
this new knowledge will be significant. The more botanical knowledge you
possess or obtain, the easier that identifications will become.
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(a) Top. Zonation of a Spartina-dominated salt marsh.

(b) Bottom. Worldwide distribution of Spartina.
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9

FAMILY ASTERACEAE
Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michaux) Nesom...................................Saltmarsh Aster

S. subulatum (Michaux) Nesom. [Aster subulatus] HIERBA DEL MARRANO. Annual to 1 m

high with narrow leaves 1-12 cm long. Heads 1.3-1.8 cm wide, solitary or loosely clustered.
Disks yellow, rays white or lavender. Common on various soils in ditches, swales, stream
bottoms, waste places and along roads. Sept.-Dec., sometimes earlier.

An annual, essential leafless herb with yellow disk flowers and whitish ray
flowers found in wetlands ranging from freshwater to strongly brackish where
salinities range from 0 to well over 10 ppt. A common invader of disturbed areas
and generally occurs as scattered individual plants.
10

Batis salicornia. a, part of male plant; b, small branch of female plant; c, fruit; d, male stamens (from
Correll and Correll 1972).
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Family BATACEAE
Batis maritima .Linnaeus....................................................Saltwort

(Bay-tiss mare-ee-time-uh)

Batis maritima (Saltwort) may be found along the muddy flats of the
shoreline in areas of higher salinity. It is a pale-green shrublike plant (60 cm
high) with a strong scent and spreading or creeping stems (150 cm). The
stem will commonly develop roots at the nodes and tip, forming large
colonies. The fleshy leaves are recurved (linear-oblanceolate) and may be
up to 25 mm in length. Flowers, which develop June-August, are found in
short conelike spikes about 1 cm long. The sepals fuse to form a multiple of
2-8 fruits which are found attached at the base of the leaves. When Batis is
found in areas of low elevation, near or adjacent to the water, it will grow in
as an upright form; whereas, when found in slightly higher elevations growth
takes on a creeping or running form. The plant has reportedly been used for
medicinal purposes, treating ulcers, and as a garnish in salads because of its
salty flavor.
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FAMILY ASTERACEAE
Borrichia frutescens (Linnaeus) A. P. de Candolle...........Sea Ox-eye Daisy

(Bore-rick-ee-uh fru-tess-ens)

Borrichia frutescens (Sea Ox-eye Daisy) is a semi-tropical plant found

along the upper edge of the marsh where the salinity is highest. It is a
perennial shrub or subshrub up to 75 cm (2½ feet) tall, and it often forms
colonies from rhizomes. The leaves are variable in size (2-6 cm) and shape
(obovate to oblanceolate to spatulate), but are characteristically thick,
succulent and have an opposite arrangement. The perfect flower heads are
mostly solitary, 2.5-3.5 cm wide. The pistillate ray flowers (15-30) are bright
yellow or tinged with orange. The corolla is yellow and five-toothed
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terminally. The plant may flower year round but normally between April and
December.

FAMILY CYPERACEAE
Carex spp.........................................................................Sedge

(Care-ex)

Sedges are perennial grass-like plants with flowers of short, head-like

spikes, occurring either singly or in groups. Most are restricted to freshwater
habitat but will tolerate salinities up to 3.5 ppt.
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FAMILY POACEAE
Distichlis spicata (Linnaeus) Greene.........................................................................Saltgrass

(Dis-tick-liss spy-kay-tuh)
Found within high saline areas of salt marshes and along the edge of wind-tidal flats is
Distichlis spicata (Saltgrass). It is locally abundant in the Coastal Bend, often growing in dense
stands within wet depressions. A low growing dioecious perennial, the erect stems and leaves
emerge from stout, scaly rhizomes. The stems (10-60 cm long) are hollow, stiff and round.
Leaves (1-4 mm wide and 2-6 cm long) are numerous, short and overlapping. They have smooth
margins and when dry are inwardly rolled, a normal response to desiccation as specialized leaf
cells called hydathodes collapse with the loss of water. The flowers, which are borne from June
into October, are found terminally on the plants. The male spikelets have eight to twelve flowers,
whereas the female is usually five-flowered. The plant is often confused with Sporobolus
virginicus (Coastal Dropseed) which has upper leaves that are reduced in size. Saltgrass is a
good forage plant in salty sites where most other grass plants cannot survive, but is more
importantly a species of substrate stabilization and a habitat of nesting waterfowl.
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FAMILY GENTIANACEAE
Eustoma exaltatum (Linnaeus) Salisbury ex G. Don.......................................Bluebell gentian

(You-stome-uh ex-all-tay-tum)

This erect annual herb is found in wet sandy to clay soils and can tolerate salinity ranges
from fresh to strongly brackish. The plant generally reaches greatest abundance on sandy,
disturbed shorelines and is a often found on the dredge spoil islands of the Upper Laguna Madre.

E. exaltatum (Linnaeus) Salisbury ex G. Don. BLUEBELL GENTIAN Annual to 70 cm high

with glaucous, usually ovate-oblong leaves 4-7 cm long. Flowers loosely cymose or solitary, the
corolla lobes 1.5-3 cm long, violet to lavender with darker splotch at base. Frequent in damp
brackish or salty soils along the coast, chiefly in flats, depressions and along beaches. Handsome
wildflower. May-Oct.
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FAMILY ASTERACEAE
Machaerantera phyllocephala (A. P. de Candolle) Shinners..........................Camphor Daisy

(Mack-an-thera fill-oh-cef-uh-lus)

Annual to 60 cm or more high with glandular-pubescent leaves 2-5 cm long. Heads

solitary or few together, 2.5-4 cm wide. Disks and rays yellow. Common on brackish grounds
along the coast, mostly on beaches and salts wind and tidal flats. Flowers June-September,
sparingly earlier. The leaves, when crushed, have the odor of camphor.

M. phyllocephala (A. P. de Candolle) Shinners. CAMPHOR DAISY. Annual to 60 cm or higher

with glandular-pubescent leaves 2-5 cm long. Heads solitary or few together, 2.5-4 cm wide.
Disks and rays yellow. Common on brackish grounds along the coast, mostly on beaches and salt
flats. June-Dec., sparingly earlier.
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FAMILY BORAGINACEAE
Heliotropium curassavicum L..................................................................Seaside Heliotrophe
Heliotropium racemosum Rose & Standley.

(He-lee-o-trope-ee-um cue-rass-uh-vick-um)

Perennial. Usually with a deep rhizome; stems are usually creeping and may reach lengths
up to 40 cm with 5 mm thick ascending branches. The leaves are 4 cm long and 8 mm wide.
Somewhat succulent-like. Flower heads are found terminally on the branches as cymes and may
be one dm in length. Petals of the flower are white, small and 1.2-3.5 mm in length. The plant
will flower throughout most of the year. The habitat is in sandy soils near ponds, mad/wind tidal
flats and similar areas throughout Texas.
H. curassavicum Linnaeus. SEASIDE HELIOTROPE, COLA DE MICO. Low perennial with
mostly reclining or prostrate stems to 40 cm or longer. Leaves 1-5 cm long, oblanceolate, blue-
green, glaucous. A flower in single or paired unrolling spikes, the corolla 2-3 mm wide, white or
bluish with yellow throat. Common on bay and gulf beaches, salt flats and other saline places.
March-Nov. µ

H. racemosum Rose & Standley. Grayish annual to 40 cm high with upright or reclining stems
and lanceolate leaves 1.5-4 cm long. Flowers in leafy unrolling racemes. Corolla 8-12 mm wide,
white with yellow throat. Rather frequent on deep sands. Known from south of Refugio, Goose
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Island State Park, west of Aransas Pass, Mustang and Padre Islands. April-Dec.
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FAMILY JUNCACEAE
Juncus roemerianus Scheele.....................................................................................Blackrush

(Junk-us roe-mair-ee-a-nus)

Perennial, from stout spreading rhizomes; leaves to 2 m tall; culm shorter than leaves; inflorescence a
panicle of all imperfect or perfect flowers, highly variable in size; clusters consisting of 2-8 flowers; capsules from
perfect flowers ta to brown, enclosed by or equaling the perianth, chestnut (castaneous) or reddish brown; 4.5 to
5.5 mm long; seeds from perfect flowers pale, tan or brown, 0.3 to 0.6 mm long. Abundant. The most common
tidal marsh plant in Mississippi forming extensive and often dense stands.
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FAMILY PLUMBAGINACEAE
Limonium carolinianum (Walter) Britton........................................................Sea Lavender

(Lie-moe-nee-um karo-line-ee-a-num)

Limonium carolinianum (Sea Lavender) is a small (3.8-5 dm), perennial herb

with woody roots and petioled, thick leaves which are arranged into a rosette. The
flowering stems or scapes are erect, nearly naked and branched into panicles
(spikes). The corolla has five nearly distinct violet to lavender petals, with long
claws; the five stamens are attached to their bases. The sepals are mostly
membranous. The plant normally flowers May-November.
This plant has several adaptations which help it to survive saline inundation
including well-developed specialized tissue (aerenchyma) in the petiole and roots,
typical salt glands on their leaves and stems (salt secretor) and have a specialized
growth form. The growth of successive rosettes of leaves elevates the plant above
the normal level of the marsh soil, thereby avoiding inundation. The leaf size
depends on salt concentration and is smaller with increasing salinity.

L. carolinianum (Walter) Britton. [L. nashii] SEA LAVENDER. Perennial, 20-60 cm high.
Leaves mostly 10-20 cm long, elliptic or oblong, all basal. Flowers in spicate panicles, the corolla
6-7 mm long, lavender-blue. Frequent along bay shores and in salt marshes or flats. May-Nov.
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FAMILY SOLANACEAE
Lycium carolinianum Walter.....................................Carolina Wolfberry

(Lie-see-um karo-line-ee-a-num)

A bushy branched shrub found commonly on slide ridges along brackish

marshes and bay shores. The plant tolerates saline soils and is often found as an
isolated plant. It is beneficial as a food source for birds especially the endangered
whooping crane.

Spiny semi-evergreen shrub to 1 m or higher with upright to spreading stems. Leaves 1-5 cm
long, linear, spatulate, thick-succulent. Flowers axillary, the corolla 1.5-2.5 cm wide, blue-violet
or lavender. Fruits red. Ours is var. quadrifidum (Dunal) Hitch. Common along the coast,
mostly along beaches or in salt flats or marshes. April-Oct., sometimes later.
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FAMILY POACEAE
Monanthochloe littoralis Engelmann....................................................................Salt-Flat Grass

(Mo-nan-tho-klow-ee litt-oh-rale-is)

Monanthochloe littoralis (Salt-Flat Grass) is a low-growing, creeping perennial grass

found in the poorly drained brackish to saline flats found along estuarine shores. Often found
surrounded by blue-green algal mats, Batis maritima (Saltwort) and Salicornia virginica
(Glasswort), it may be the only grass found on salt, mud or wind-tidal flat areas. In such locations, it may grow
extensive colonies which emerge from the hard rhizomes and stolons. The thick mat which is formed from the
erect, wiry stems (up to 25 cm in height), which have short, stiff, grayish-green overlapping leaves (10-15 cm
long), is located in the upper regions of the salt-flats. The inconspicuous male and female flowers, which emerge
in the spring, are hidden in the terminal leaf sheaths of separate plants (dioecious) and are difficult to find. The
plant is of poor grazing value but is important for its capacity to aid in the stabilization of marsh areas and low
(landward edge) tidal flats.
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27

Salicornia bigelovii. a, habit; b, joint after fruit has dried; c, fruits embedded in fleshy axis; d, fruit; e,
seed
FAMILY CHENOPODIACEAE
Salicornia bigelovii Torrey................................................................................Annual Glasswort

(Sal-ee-corn-ee-uh bi-gee-love-ee-i)

The two species of Salicornia (commonly called glasswort) are examples of halophytic (salt
loving) plants which exhibit a thick, succulent type of leaf anatomy and are commonly found in salt marshes and
flats along the edge of the water. This succulent’s survival mechanism is through the accumulation of water in the
plant tissues. Salinity concentrations are reduced as salts in the cells are diluted due to increased amounts of water.
In addition, the rapid growth of new tissues associated with this plant has a diluting effect since salts are
distributed to a greater amount of tissue.
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FAMILY CHENOPODIACEAE
Salicornia virginica Linnaeus........................................................................Perennial Glasswort

(Sal-ee-corn-ee-uh vir-gin-nick-uh)

Some plant taxonomists express the view that the two species are ecomorphs and should
be classified as a single species. However, the morphological characters used in identification of
the two species are consistent. Salicornia bigelovii (Annual Glasswort) tolerates inundation and
higher salinities (slight habitat differences). Scales of the spike are different for each species
(pointed in S. bigelovii; blunted or rounded in S. virginica, see figures, adapted from Tiner, 1993),
S. bigelovii are annuals whereas S. virginica are perennials, and growth forms are somewhat
different; S. bigelovii is more of an upright and solitary plant, whereas S. virginica (Perennial
Glasswort) forms extensive mats.
Both species are low-growing, erect, fleshy herbs with jointed, woody-cored primary
stems. The plants have erect branches with minute flowers which are sunken in the cavities of the
internodes of the spike, although the ovary still maintains a superior position. The flowers are
arranged in tiny sessile 3-flowered cymes sunken into the fleshy stem axis. The flowers bloom
from May through October as proper environmental condition occur. The oppositely arranged
leaves are reduced to minute scales. The leaves are peculiar in that the fleshy leaf-petiole (leaf
base) is altered and wraps around the stem forming a bulbous shape. Old stems lose these
petioles and appear segmented and woody.
Salicornia has a narrow salinity range (3.1% NaCl) and like most halophytes germinates
best under freshwater conditions. This most often occurs as soil salinity is reduced during the
spring and winter. These halophytes can be intolerant of elevated salinity levels especially while in
the process of germination.
Geese feed on the branches of glasswort. In the fall, ducks (especially pintail) eat the stem
tips when the glasswort turns a reddish color with maturity. In the past, Glasswort plants were
harvested and burned for potash.
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S. bigelovii Torrey. Annual to 60 cm high with fleshy jointed stems. Spikes fleshy, 2-12 cm long
and 4-7 mm wide, the minute flowers sunken in the spike. Common in salt marshes, tidal flats and
along bay and island beaches. May-Oct.

S. virginica Linnaeus. Perennial to 35 cm or higher with fleshy jointed stems, forming dense mats
or clumps. Spikes fleshy, 1-5 cm long and 3-5 mm wide, the flowers sunken in the spike.
Frequent in same habitats as the above. May-Sept.

1. Scales of spike abruptly pointed........................................................Salicornia bigelovii

1. Scales blunt or rounded....................................................................Salicornia virginica

Salicornia virginica. Top. Inflorescence of male flower. Bottom. Inflorescence of female flowers. Walter &
Keil 1996.
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31

Salicornia bigelovii

Salicornia virginica
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FAMILY CYPERACEAE
Scirpus robustus Pursh..............................................................................Saltmarsh Bulrush

(Skir-pus row-bust-us)

Perennial, rhizomes, white, brown or reddish; culm to 2 m tall, 3-angled; bract erect, appearing as a
continuation of the culm, 3-15 cm long; inflorescence generally a terminal cluster of 3-4 sessile spiklets, 25-50
flowers; bristles about 4, about as long as the seed, retrorsely barbed; seed 2-3 mm long, plano-convex, smooth,
shiny dark-brown at maturity. Frequent. Sandy beaches, low salinity marshes.
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Sesuvium portulacastrum. a, habit; b, flower; c, pistil (female)

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FAMILY AIZOACEAE
Sesuvium portulacastrum (Linnaeus) Linnaeus....................................................Sea Purslane
Sesuvium maritimum (Walter) Britton, Sterns & Poggenberg.
Sesuvium trianthemoides Correll.
Sesuvium verrucosum Rafinesque-Schmaltz.

(Sess-oo-vee-um mare-ee-tie-mum)

Fleshy perennial, prostrate, glabrous; leaves to 5 cm long; pedicellate flowers to 1 cm

long, solitary, pink in color, sepals with a horn-like appendage; fruit about 7 mm long; seed black,
smooth and lustrous 1-1,5 mm long. Infrequent. Found in the upper edge of marshes that border
tidal flats.

1. Stamens 5....................................................................................................................................2
1. Stamens more than 5...................................................................................................................3
2. Seeds smooth (1)..................................................................................................S. maritimum
2. Seeds rugose....................................................................................................S. trianthemoides
3. Stems rooting at nodes, stems mostly trailing (1)..........................................S. portulacastrum
3. Stems not rooting, branching stems mostly erect..................................................S. verrucosum
S. maritimum (Walter) Britton, Sterns & Poggenberg. An annual that is distinguished from S.
trianthemoides by its smooth seeds. Occassional on salt flats along Mission Rivers, Refugio
County. Said to bloom all year.

S. portulacastrum (Linnaeus) Linnaeus. CENICILLA. Perennial with creeping stems to 2 m

long, often forming mats. Leaves 3-5 cm long, oblanceolate, fleshy. Tepals 5-7 mm long,
lavender-purple on inner side. Common along bay and island beaches. April-Dec. µ

S. trianthemoides Correll. Annual with prostrate or reclining stems to 40 cm long. Leaves

fleshy, 1.5-3 cm long. Tepals 2-2.3 mm long, pale lavender on inner side. Fairly frequent in
brackish swales, marshes and depressions along the coast. April-Dec. TOES III.

S. verrucosum Rafinesque-Schmaltz. [S. erectum] Perennial with ascending or sprawling stems

to 45 cm long, commonly forming colonies by rhizomes. Leaves 1.5-4 cm long, oblanceolate,
fleshy. Tepals 4-9 mm long, purple or rose-lavender on inner side. Frequent on salty or brackish
soils along the coast. March-Dec.
35
36

FAMILY POACEAE
Spartina alterniflora var. glabra (Bigel.) Fern..........................................Smooth Cordgrass

(Spar-tine-uh all-ter-knee-flora)

Perennial with robust culms and elongating rhizomes, spreading culms height variable but
uniform within stands, to 2 m tall; leaf blades to 40 cm long x 10 mm wide, smooth, tapered;
sheath margin puberulent; ligule a ring of trichomes; inflorescence a panicle; spikes 5-30 per
panicle, 4-10 cm long, 3-5 mm thick, tightly appressed and overlapping or diverging slightly;
spikelets sessile 10-50 per spike about 10 mm long, crowded on one side of the panicle branch;
second glume as long as the spikelet, first glume shorter. Keels of the glumes an lemma slightly
pubescent; floret perfect; grain olivaceous to yellow, linear-ellipsoid about 7 mm long. Very
abundant. An important salt marsh plant. Generally occurring in extensive stands in saline areas
or intermixed with Juncus roemerianus and other species in brackish areas. Monotypic stands
occur in areas adjacent to open bodies of water or relatively high salinity which are of low
elevation and frequent tidal inundation.
37

FAMILY POACEAE
Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl................................................................Saltmeadow Cordgrass

(Spar-tine-uh pay-tens)

Wiry perennial spreading from elongating rhizomes of small diameter; culms spreading or
erect, to 1 m long; leaves slender to 40 cm long x 3 mm wide, mostly involute; inflorescence a
panicle 9-20 cm long, spikes 2-7 per panicle, 1-7 cm long, usually diverging at angles of 10-45
degrees, remotely distributed on the axis, slightly overlapping if forced, spiklets 2—50 per spike
5-15 mm long; glumes unequal’ glume and lemma hispid on the keels at least distally; floret
perfect; grain flat, ellipsoidal and olivaceous. Generally found abundantly in dense stands on
higher elevations of saline marsh, especially near upland areas. Also found intermixed with
Juncus roemerianus in brackish marshes.
38

Spartina patens inflorescence

Spartina alterniflora inflorescence
39

FAMILY POACEAE
Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth...............................................................Virginia Dropseed
(Spore-oh-bo-lus vir-gin-ee-cuss)

Low perennial with creeping rhizomes, firm closely crowded leaves with conspicuously over-lapping
sheaths and short blades, and short, contracted panicles. Locally frequent in sandy soils along salt water, usually
forming dense stands similar to Bermuda grass. Of poor to fair grazing value.
40

Suaeda linearis. a, small part of stem at base; b, median portion of stem;

c, distal portion of branch; d, flower, just opening; e, fruit.
41

FAMILY CHENOPODIACEAE
Suaeda linearis (Ell.) Moq............................................................................Annual Sea Blite
Suaeda conferta (Small) I. M. Johnst....................................................Perennial Sea Blight

(Sway-duh lin-ee-air-is)

1. Perennial, leaves 5-15 mm..........................................................................................S. conferta

1. Annual, linear leaves 1-4 cm.........................................................................................S. linearis

S. conferta (Small) I. M. Johnston. Perennial with prostrate or ascending stems to 60 cm

long. Leaves 5-15 mm long x 1-3 mm wide, fleshy, usually glaucous. Flowers in axils of
reduced upper leaves. Perianth 2-3 mm long, fleshy, green. Frequent along bay beaches
or in salt flats. March-Dec., or all year.

S. linearis (Elliott) Moquin-Tandon. Annual to 75 cm high, often forming dense clumps.

Leaves 1-4 cm long, fleshy, narrowly linear. Flowers in spicate panicles, the greenish
perianth 1-2 mm high, fleshy. Common along bay beaches or on salt flats. May-Dec. µ
Also found along the edges of tidal flats is the shrubby plant, Suaeda linearis (Sea Blite)
which may form dense clumps. This annual herb has erect, profusely branched, sometimes red-
tinged stems with simple, entire, dark green, fleshy leaves (4-7 mm long). The leaves are usually
flat on one side and, in cross section, rounded on the other. The upper leaves are reduced in size
and have an alternate arrangement. During the summer and autumn, small green flowers are
found in terminal spikes, either singly or in clusters of three. Also found within our coastal
marshes is the perennial shrub, Suaeda conferta. It is at times difficult to distinguish from S.
linearis. Suaeda conferta, which is found in the upper edge of the marsh is a more erect and
ascending shrub with very brittle, blue-gray leaves.
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FAMILY TAMARICACEAE..................................................Salt cedar

T. aphylla (Linnaeus) Karsten.
T. canariensis von Willdenow.
T. chinensis de Loureiro.
Tamarix gallica Linnaeus.
T. ramosissima von Ledebour.

(Tam-uh-rix gal-lick-uh)

An introduced plant from Europe that has naturalized in the South and the Western U.S.
It is commonly found on slightly elevated sandy soils of fresh and saline wetlands.
Shrubs or trees with tiny leaves composed of scales scarcely more than 1 mm long. Flowers
in spike-like racemes, the stamens borne on a fleshy, lobed disk.

1. Leaves sheathing the stem............................................................................................T. aphylla

1. Leaves sessile, not sheathing.......................................................................................................2
2. Filaments inserted between the lobes of disk (1)........................................................................3
2. Filaments not inserted as above...................................................................................................4
3. Sepals finely toothed; petals obovate (2)............................................................T. ramosissima
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3. Sepals more or less entire; petals obovate to elliptic.................................................T. chinensis
4. Sepals finely toothed; rachis of raceme usually papillate (2)................................T. canariensis
4. Sepals entire or subentire; raceme rachis smooth..........................................................T. gallica

T. aphylla (Linnaeus) Karsten. ATHEL. Evergreen tree to 6 m or higher with gray-green

leaves. Petals about 2 mm long, mauve-pink. Frequent in cultivation, sometimes used for
windbreaks and screens, not naturalized. Native of north Africa and south Asia. July-Sept.

T. canariensis von Willdenow. Deciduous shrub or small tree to 2.5 m or higher. Petals 1.2-1.5
mm long, pink or purple-rose, falling early. Sometimes planted for screens or soil stabilization
along the coast, becoming naturalized. Native of Mediterranean region, Canary Islands. May-
Sept.

T. chinensis de Loureiro. Straggling deciduous shrub or small tree to 2.5 m or higher.

Petals 1.5-2.5 mm long, pink or purplish. Planted for sand stabilization and windbreaks along
the coast, also naturalized. Native of China, Japan. April-Oct.

T. gallica Linnaeus. TAMARISCO, ROMPEVIENTOS. Straggling deciduous shrub or

small tree to 3 m or higher. Petals 1.5-1.7 mm long, pink or purplish, falling early.
Frequently planted along the coast for screens, windbreaks and soil stabilization, also widely
naturalized. Native of south Europe. April-July, or later.

T. ramosissima von Ledebour. Much like the above, with pink petals 1-1.7 mm long.
Sometimes planted for screens and windbreaks along the coast. Native of China, Russia and
south Asia. May-Sept.
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FAMILY TYPHACEAE
Typha domingensis Persoon..............................................................Narrow-Leaved Cat-Tail
Typha latifolia Linnaeus................................................................................Common Cattail

(Tie-fuh latt-ee-foal-ee-uh)

Common cattail is a freshwater plant producing dense patches where the salinity ranges
from 0 to 0.5 ppt but the plant is found in intermediate zones where the salinity may range up to
3.5 ppt.

Perennial rhizomatous herbs forming colonies in shallow water. Leaves 2-ranked, linear.
Flowers unisexual, in dense terminal spike. Staminate flowers in upper portion of spike. Pistillate
flowers lower on the spike and with spreading bristles that form the down of the fruit.

1. Male and female spikes separate..............................................................T. domingensis

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1. Male and female spikes adjoining....................................................................T. latifolia

T. domingensis Persoon. NARROW-LEAVED CAT-TAIL, TULE. Perennial, 60-240 cm high,

forming colonies. Leaves linear. Flowers minute, unisexual, the male in a tail-like spike 2-4 cm
above the cylindroid light-brown female. Common in wet, fresh or brackish soils, mostly in
ditches, swales, marshes and along stream and lake banks. May-Oct.

T. latifolia Linnaeus. TULE ESPADILLA. Much like the above but usually 1-1.5 m high with
the female spike dark brown adjoining the upper male spike. Known from Lake Corpus Christi
and drainage ditch west of Flour Bluff. May-Sept.
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IPOMOEA. Morning Glory

Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Grisebach. [I. stolonifera].......FIDDLELEAF MORNING-GLORY

Ipomoea pes-caprae (Linnaeus) R. Brown..........................GOATFOOT MORNING-GLORY
Ipomoea sagittata Poiret...................................................SALTMARSH MORNING-GLORY

1. Leaves thick-leathery..................................................................................................................2
1. Leaves thin, sagittately lobed......................................................................................I. sagittata
2. Corolla white with yellow throat (1)..........................................................................I. imperati
2. Corolla purple..........................................................................................................I. pes-caprae

I. imperati (Vahl) Grisebach. [I. stolonifera] FIDDLELEAF MORNING-GLORY. Perennial

with trailing stems to 6 m or longer, rooting at the nodes. Leaves 2-6 cm long, entire to variously
lobed, thick-leathery. Corolla 4-6 cm long, white with yellow throat. Common on the barrier
islands, occasional along bay beaches. Showy and attractive. April-Dec.

I. pes-caprae (Linnaeus) R. Brown. GOATFOOT MORNING-GLORY. Perennial vine with

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thick trailing or slightly twining stems to 10 m or longer, rooting at the nodes. Leaves 6-10 cm
long, about as broad, thick and leathery. Corolla 5-6 cm long, rose-purple. Ours is ssp.
brasiliensis (Linnaeus) van Oostsroom. Common on barrier islands, mostly along upper beaches
and lower dunes, also occasional along bay beaches. Attractive and showy. May-Dec.

I. sagittata Poiret. SALTMARSH MORNING-GLORY. Perennial vine with twining stems to 1.7
m or longer. Leaves 3-10 cm long, sagittate. Corolla 7-8 cm long, rose-purple, rarely white.
Occasional along bay and island beaches or more frequent along river and creek banks and in
coastal marshes. Unusually showy and attractive. May-Sept.
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AVICENNIACEAE. Black-Mangrove Family

Maritime shrubs or trees with thick, opposite, entire leaves. Flowers perfect, hypogynous.

AVICENNIA

A. germinans (Linnaeus) Linnaeus. BLACK MANGROVE, MANGLE NEGRO. Evergreen

shrub to 120 cm or higher with leathery elliptic or oblong leaves 4-8 cm long. Flowers mostly in
terminal clusters, the corolla 10-12 mm wide, white with yellow throat. Occasional, sometimes in
local abundance, on moist salty soils along beaches or on marshy islands. Known from Packery
Channel, Port Aransas, Harbor Island and reported from mouth of the Aransas River. July-Sept.
50
Many of the halophytic plants common to a Texas salt marsh have been
described in this booklet. The distribution and zonation associated with those plants
are dependent upon the concentration of salt in the substrate and water regimens.
Refer to the sketch for the “normal” location of these plants.

Texas Salt marsh Zonation

Sketch of the dominant plants found in a Texas salt marsh, showing the zonation of the various species. 1.
Subtidal seagrass Thalassia testudinum (turtle grass) 2. Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) 3.
Salicornia virginica (glasswort) and an algal mat of Cladophora sp. And Vaucheria sp.; 4. Monanthochloe
littoralis (salt-flat grass); 5. Batis maritima (saltwort); 6. Distichlis spicata (salt grass); 7. Suaeda
linearis (sea blite); 8. Limonium carolinianum (sea lavender). Adapted from Dawes (1981).
51
Bibliography

Dawes, C.J. 1981. Marine Botany. John Wiley & Sons. New York. 628 pp.

Eleuterius, L.N. 1990. Tidal Marsh Plants. Pelican Publ. Co., Gretna, LA. 168 pp.

Godfrey, R.K. and J.W. Wooten. 1981. Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Southeastern United
States: Dicotyledons. U. Georgia Press, Athens. 933 pp.

Gould, F.W. 1965. Grasses of the Texas Coastal Bend. Texas A&M U. Press,
College Station. 189 pp.

Jones, F.B. 1982. Flora of the Texas Coastal Bend. Mission Press, Corpus Christi,
Texas. 267 pp.

Silberhorn, G.M. 1982. Common Plants of the Mid-Atlantic Coast: A Field Guide.
John Hopkins U. Press, Baltimore. 256 pp.

Stutzenbaker, C.D. 1999. Aquatic and Wetland Plants of the Western Gulf of Mexico. Texas
Parks and Wildlife Press. 465 pp.

Tiner, R.W. Jr. 1987. A Field Guide to Coastal Wetland Plants of the Northeastern
United States. U. Massachusetts Press, Amerst. 286 pp.

Walters, D.R. and D.J. Keil. 1996. Vascular Plant Taxonomy. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.,
Dubuque, Iowa. 608 pp.
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INDEX

Black Mangrove..............................Avicennia germinans...............................38

Blackrush........................................Juncus roemerianus................................15
Bluebell gentian..............................Eustoma exaltatum..................................11
Bulrush, Saltmarsh.......................... Scirpus robustus.....................................23
Carolina wolfberry..........................Lycium carolinianum...............................17
Cattail..............................................Typha latifolia.........................................34
Cordgrass, Saltmeadow..................Spartina patens.......................................27
Cordgrass, Smooth..........................Spartina alterniflora...............................26
Daisy, Camphor...............................Machaeranthera phyllocephala..............12
Daisy, Sea Ox-Eye..........................Borrichia frutescens.................................8
Dropseed, Virginia..........................Sporobolus virginicus..............................29
Goatfoot Morning Glory.................Ipomoea pes-caprae................................36
Glasswort, Annual...........................Salicornia bigelovii.................................19
Glasswort, Perennial.......................Salicornia virginica.................................20
Heliotrophe, Seaside.......................Heliotropium curassavicum....................13
Salt cedar........................................Tamarix gallica.......................................32
Salt-flat Grass.................................Monanthochloe littoralis.........................18
Salt grass.........................................Distichlis spicata.....................................10
Salt marsh Aster..............................Symphyotrichum subulatum.....................6
Saltwort...........................................Batis maritima..........................................7
Sea Blight........................................Suaeda linearis.......................................30
Sea Lavender..................................Limonium carolinianum..........................16
Sea Purslane....................................Sesuvium portulacastrum........................24
Sedge..............................................Carex spp.................................................9
Spartina alterniflora vs. S. patens. .................................................................28
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