Common Name: Common Saltwort
Specific Name: Salisola kali
Known Occurrence at Taylor Point:
Map Areas: Beach 1B
Category: Non- Native, Herbaceous Plant
Ecological Considerations:
Salsola kali, or Common Saltwort is a member of the goosefoot or beet family. Common Saltwort is a summer shade-intolerant annual that can grow from one foot to two feet high and higher. It is a bushy plant and it reproduces by seed. The stems of the young Common Saltwort plants have stems with red or purple stripes. Its leaves are about 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches, are alternate, cylindrical with pointed tips. The flowers are solitary, small and greenish to white in color and lack petals. Papery spine-tipped bracts are present at the base of each flower. Common Saltwort typically blooms from July to October. However, this plant is indeterminate and can continue to flower and produce seed until temperatures drop below 25° F. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.
The fruit of the Common Saltwort contains a single seed and has 5 wings – one from the back of each sepal. When the plant is mature it breaks off at the ground forming “tumbleweeds” that are tossed by the wind, scattering seeds. A single plant can produce 100 – 200,000 seeds for which little moisture is required for germination. Seeds are dormant over winter and germinate in spring, generally in late March or early April. Seed longevity is short and rapidly declines after 2 years in the soil. Germination can occur if daytime temperatures are above freezing, however, seedlings are easily killed by frost. Seedlings look similar to pine tree seedlings. A large, spreading root system, enables plenty of shoot growth with little moisture.
Common Saltwort is mostly found on coastal beaches, sandy areas and salt marshes, but occasionally it may occur inland in disturbed sites such as along roadsides, and fields.
Problems Posed by this Plant:
Native Species Affected by this Plant:
Factors Affording a Competitive Advantage to this Plant:
Propagation Mechanisms and Related Issues Affecting Efforts to Remove and/or Eliminate this Plant from Taylor Point:
Documented Best removal Practices and Options/Pros and Cons of Various Options:
Additional Photos:
Sources cited:
Go Botany
Plants for a Future
Wiki Bugwood
Key Words:
Salisola kali
Common Saltwort
Beach 1B