Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

saltwort, turtleweed

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Batis maritima

Family:

Bataceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

2-4 ft tall by much broader than tall ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,green

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Coastal stabilization is salt-flat areas. Can be used ornamentally as a groundcover or bush-like mound in coastal areas.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Layering, cuttings.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Usually moist, occasional inundation

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

Ecology

Wildlife:

Butterflies, Caterpillars

Larval host and adult nectar plant for the great Southern white ( Ascia monuste ) and Eastern pigmy blue ( Brephidium isophthalma ) butterflies (Florida Cooperative Extension Service 2002)

Native Habitats:

Saltmarshes and flats.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

It can be eaten as a salty salad herb. Ashes from this plant were once used in soap -- however it was apparently toxic if used in abundance. Used to treat a variety of skin conditions.

General Comments: