Page authors: Don Knoke, David Giblin
Salicornia pacifica
woody glasswort, pickleweed
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest along the coast in Washington; Alaska to Baja California.

Habitat: Salt marshes and beaches along coast.

Flowers: June-October

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Self-pollination

Description:
General:

Perennial matted herb with fleshy oppositely branched stems to 30 cm tall from slender rhizomes.

Leaves:

Apparently absent, but actually reduced to minute opposite scales.

Flowers:

Tiny, inconspicuous, in groups of 3, at ends of stems in 1-4 cm long spikes tinged with brown, purple, or pink.

Fruits:

Small flattened seeds surrounded by a slightly inflated papery pericarp and fleshy perianth parts.

Identification Notes:

The perennial rhizomatous habit separates this species from other Salicornia species in our area. Suada maritima also grows in saltmarshes but has alternate leaves not reduced to scales.

Accepted Name:
Salicornia pacifica Standl.
Publication: N. Amer. Fl. 21: 83. 1916.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
Sarcocornia pacifica (Standl.) A.J. Scott
Sarcocornia perennis (Mill.) A.J. Scott
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Salicornia pacifica in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database

WA Flora Checklist: Salicornia pacifica checklist entry

OregonFlora: Salicornia pacifica information

E-Flora BC: Salicornia pacifica atlas page

CalPhotos: Salicornia pacifica photos

18 photographs:
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