In general, the plants that "belong" near the lagoon (in the
wetlands) arelow-growing and salt-tolerant, with floppy stems (not erect) and having special
ways of growing in salty soil and of ridding themselves of excess salt.
In general, the plants that "belong" near the lagoon (in the
wetlands) are
low-growing and salt-tolerant, with floppy stems (not erect) and having special
ways of growing in salty soil and of ridding themselves of excess salt.
Common Name: |
Pickleweed |
Scientific Name: |
Sarcocornia pacifica |
Size/Location: |
Usually less than a foot and a half tall; spreading |
Comments: |
S. pacifica is a perennial but loses its fleshiness as the tips accumulate excess salt, turn red, and drop off when the plants turns brown and goes dormant in the winter. |
Common Name: |
Alkali Heath |
Scientific Name: |
Frankenia salina |
Size/Location: |
Low-growing |
Comments: |
A bushy perennial with small leaves and small but conspicuous pink flowers. |
Common Name: |
Saltgrass |
Scientific Name: |
Distichlis spicata |
Size/Location: |
Throughout; sprawling short stems with wiry stiff spikes for leaves; about 3-4 in tall |
Comments: |
Very common on or near the path (the upper marsh and not right in the water) because it doesn't like to be wet too much (although it must be salty soil or water). |
Common Name: |
Alkali Weed |
Scientific Name: |
Cressa truxillensis |
Size/Location: |
Small and low-growing |
Comments: |
Leaves and stems are gray-green, wooly and soft; hard to see. |
Common Name: |
Salty Susan |
Scientific Name: |
Jaumea carnosa |
Size/Location: |
Low (less than 6"), spreading, perennial--in wetter areas |
Comments: |
Shiny, fleshy leaves on very long stems; found on the lagoon-side of the trail. It belongs to the sunflower family but has small inconspicuous flowers. Jaumea is only found in saline habitats. |
Common Name: |
Cattail |
Scientific Name: |
Typha spp. |
Size/Location: |
Fresh water edges; tall with narrow grass-like leaves |
Comments: |
Characteristic red-brown cigar-shaped clumps (of female flowers) in late summer. Should not be found in a saltwater lagoon, but present at Batiquitos Lagoon where fresh water comes in. They survive in the lagoon because they can tolerate a little bit of salt and are usually found near the edge with their roots in water but stems and leaves dry. |
Common Name: |
California Bulrush |
Scientific Name: |
Scirpus californicus |
Size/Location: |
Brackish water edges; grows up to 13 feet. |
Comments: |
Stiff triangular or round stems; esp. in east parts |
[not pictured]
Common Name: |
Common Tule |
Scientific Name: |
Scirpus acutus |
Size/Location: |
Similar to California bulrush. |
Comments: |
Round stiff stems |
[not pictured]
Common Name: |
Bulrush or Scirpus |
Scientific Name: |
Scirpus microcarpus |
Size/Location: |
2-5 feet; wet parts of trail (freshwater) |
Comments: |
Round stem with flat "spikelets" and "flower" |
Common Name: |
Spiny Rush |
Scientific Name: |
Juncus acutus |
Size/Location: |
Very stiff, sharp 3-5' stems from base; usually between trail and water, but above water level |
Comments: |
Statewide endangered plant because that kind of habitat is so often destroyed. |
Common Name: |
Fat Hen |
Scientific Name: |
Atriplex triangularis |
Size/Location: |
With other marsh plants but taller (up to 3 feet) |
Comments: |
Intolerant of prolonged flooding. The leaves are distinctly triangular and pointed and turn red in the late summer and fall. They are thin but feel mealy, not smooth. Non-native. |
Common Name: |
Australian Saltbush |
Scientific Name: |
Atriplex semibaccata |
Size/Location: |
Forms low mats near (even on) the trail |
Comments: |
Toothed, gray-green, mealy-feeling leaves and likes alkaline soils. Prostrate (low). Non-native; invasive. |
[not pictured]
Common Name: |
Cordgrass |
Scientific Name: |
Spartina foliosa |
Size/Location: |
In water most of the time (not close to trail) |
Comments: |
Recently planted far out on mudflats: hoped to thrive and provide home for Clapper Rails |
P.O. Box 130491,
Carlsbad, CA 92013
Info: 760 931-0800