Dwarf Saltwort
Salicornia bigelovii
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Leeward Is., Mexico, Puerto Rico, Turks-Caicos Is., United States
Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Salicornia
- Species:
- Salicornia bigelovii
- USDA Symbol:
- SABI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Brephidium isophthalma
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, shorebirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- saline, sandy, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 7.5 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal salt marshes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in saline conditions; fresh water can reduce germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI