Saltwort (Batis maritima) is a native shrub that grows in Southern California, primarily in the South Coast region. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in a rounded form to a height of 1-4 ft., with active growth during the spring. Flowers are green and bloom in the late spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in salt marshes, at elevations from 0-100 feet.
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Plant data provided by participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria and Calflora. View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora. Learn more how we map plant ranges here.
Shrub
1-48 in Tall
Spreading
Moderate
Winter Deciduous
Green, Yellow
Spring
Full Sun
Moderate, High
Moderate
Standing
Adaptable, tolerant of sand, loam and clay
24*
Salt marshes
Coastal Salt Marsh, Coastal Strand, Wetland-Riparian
Coastal Scrub, Wetland/Riparian
Wildlife supported
Confirmed — recorded in this ecoregion from species-level observations.
Likely — a modeled interaction, predicted from habitat, timing, and related species. Not yet observed here.
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Butterflies
1 native butterfly species visit this plant.
Notable visitors
Bats
We don't have plant-by-plant bat records yet — but California's bats are important pollinators and pest controllers, feeding on night-flying insects and visiting night-blooming, nectar-rich flowers. Native plants support both.
Birds
We don't have plant-by-plant bird records yet — but native plants give birds food, shelter, and nesting sites, from seeds and berries to the insects and caterpillars they feed their young.
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Alternative names
- Common names:
- Turtleweed
Additional resources
Sources
Source information is provided by Calscape and the California Native Plant Society.
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