Wetlands Plants found at the Bolsa Chica

• PICKLEWEED (SALICORNIA VIRGINICA)

  An abundant perennial grows up to 25 inches tall – the most common pickleweed.

  Pickleweed is the one of the most common plant species found in Southern California salt marshes. It is a halophyte (salt tolerant plant) which has the ability to grow right in the salt marsh. Since up to 95% of our coastal wetlands have been destroyed by development, these plants are rare overall. Pickleweed is nesting habitat for the endangered Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, and this bird species lives there year round.

• PICKLEWEED (SALICORNIA BIGELOVII)

  An occasional annual grows up to 20 inches tall.

  Pickleweed is the one of the most common plant species found in Southern California salt marshes. It is a halophyte (salt tolerant plant) which has the ability to grow right in the salt marsh. Since up to 95% of our coastal wetlands have been destroyed by development, these plants are rare overall. Pickleweed is nesting habitat for the endangered Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, and this bird species lives there year round.

• PICKLEWEED (SALICORNIA SUBTERMINALIS)

  An occasional perennial, heavily branched, compact, grows to 12″.

  Pickleweed is the one of the most common plant species found in Southern California salt marshes. It is a halophyte (salt tolerant plant) which has the ability to grow right in the salt marsh. Since up to 95% of our coastal wetlands have been destroyed by development, these plants are rare overall. Pickleweed is nesting habitat for the endangered Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, and this bird species lives there year round.

• CORDGRASS (SPARTINA FOLIOSA)

  Cordgrass is a perennial which reaches 1 to 4 feet tall and it grows in the lowest zone of the marsh and, thus gets the most exposure to the tides.  It is important habitat for the endangered Light-footed Clapper Rail.  This is a bird which ties its nests directly onto the cordgrass.  Over many decades, oil drilling damaged much of the cordgrass habitat at Bolsa Chica and scared off the Clapper Rail.  Now restoration is underway to return cordgrass, and Clapper Rails, to Bolsa Chica.

• SALTGRASS (DISTICHLIS SPICATA)

  Photograph courtesy of Erin Chin

  This is a tough and hardy perennial grass that grows on the edge of the marsh and forms a low thick mat of green about 12 inches high along the banks of Bolsa Bay and in the sand of the coastal strand.  Saltgrass provides habitat for the larvae of the Wandering Skipper, an increasingly rare wetlands butterfly.

• SALTWORT (BATIS MARITIMA)

  A succulent perennial plant, Saltwort is a halophyte (salt tolerant) plant which grows in the salt marsh.  It is a flat trailing plant that can reach a length of 40 inches across in the mud. Research shows that Saltwort could be a surprisingly nutritious untapped source of food.  Saltworth seeds have high amounts of protein, oils, starches, and antioxidants, and they have a nutty taste.

• JAUMEA (JAUMEA CARNOSA)

  A succulent, low-growing protrate perennial plant, Jaumea is very similiar to Saltwort, however, when Jaumea blooms, it has bright yellow flowers (Saltwort does not). Jaumea spreads vegetatively through the mud up to 12 inches.

• SPINY RUSH (JUNCUS ACUTUS)

  A clumping perennial rush with sharp-tipped, dark green blades which grow to more than 2 feet tall.  It is found in moist saline habitats like salt marshes.  It blooms from May to June.

• SEA LAVENDER (LIMONIUM CALIFORNICUM)

  Grows along the banks of Bolsa Bay.  Broad leathery leaves at the base of the plant support a long central stem which shoots up to 2 feet high and blooms with tiny pale violet flowers at the top. Sea Lavender is a smaller and paler relation to the home garden variety Statice.

• SEA BLITE (SUAEDA CALIFORNICA)

  Grows along the edge of the marsh, spreading as much as 32 inches. Its narrow linear succulent leaves are crowded on the stems of this much branched perennial bush.

• ALKALI HEATH (FRANKENIA SALINA)

  Photograph courtesy of Erin Chin

  Low bushy perennial which grows to about 12 inches tall at the edge of the marsh.  Small pink flowers bloom in the summer supported by small oval leaves.

• SHOREGRASS OR SALT CEDAR (MONANTHOCHLOE LITTORALIS)

  A perennial, prostrate grass which grows in dense mats in the upper levels of the salt marsh.  It has short leaf blades that are heavily clustered together on stems up to 11 inches tall.

• YERBA MANSA (ANEMOPSIS CALIFORNICA)

  This plant can be found growing on the banks of Bolsa Bay along the Sand Dunes Trail near the South Lot. It has large leathery green leaves.  In May, it puts on quite a show of bloom. Its multitude of tiny white flowers grow on conical spikes (called Lizard’s Tail) surrounded at their base by white “petals.”  Native Americans used this herb for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. It was used to treat such ailments as asthma, skin cuts, muscular aches, indigestion, skin diseases, and as a poultice to reduce swellings.

• CATTAILS (TYPHA LATIFOLIA)

  This is a freshwater wetlands plant. Cattails can be found at Bolsa Chica in the area just west of the the South Lot along the Sand Dunes Trail.  Here there is a source of fresh water likely coming from runoff from the State Beach irrigation across the street of PCH, and urban runoff during the rain season. Cattails are an upright perennial upt 6 feet tall, and have rich brown cigar-shaped seed pods.

• MULE FAT (BACCHARIS SALICIFOLIA)

  Photograph courtesy of Erin Chin

  This is a large shrub which grows next to wetlands.  It has willow-like leaves and blooms on spring and summer with small,fuzzy, cream colored flowers. It grows up to 10 feet high and 8 feet wide. It common name comes from the fact that mules grazed on it.