California Coastal Commission, Public Education Program, Upper Newport Bay Plants

Pickleweed (Salicornia virginica)

Plant: A perennial with straight and spreading fleshy stems. It does not require air passage to its roots, and it tolerates salt by concentrating it in its segmented stems which break off when full. Dodder (Cuscuta salina) is an orange, string parasitic plant found growing on pickleweed.
Flowers: Small and inconspicuous
Leaf/Stem: The simple leaves are jointed and reduced to scales. The stems are green and carry on photosynthesis.