Batis maritima L.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.

  • Family

    Bataceae

  • Scientific Name

    Batis maritima L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Dioecious prostrate subshrub, to 30 cm tall; stems weak Fig. 51. 4-angular, rooting at nodes; bark peeling off in flakes. Leaf 1-2 x 0.2 -0.6 cm, linear, oblanceolate, cylindrical or 3-4 angled in cross section, succulent, the apex acute and mucronate, the base clasping, with a basal, reflexed appendage, the margins entire. Flowers in axillary, short inflorescences; tepals spatulate, minute; anthers ovoid; ovary with 4 unequal locules. Fruit fleshy, with 1 seed per locule. Seeds 1.8 - 2.0 mm long, club-shaped to ellipsoid, minutely papillose with a costa along one edge.

  • Discussion

    Common names: salt plant, saltwort.

  • Distribution

    Common along coastal areas in salt marshes. Newfound Bay (A4150), A4257). Also on Anegada, St. Croix, ST. Thomas, and Tortola; throughout tropical America, the Galapagos Archipelago and Hawaii.

    Hawaii United States of America North America| Tortola Virgin Islands South America| Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint Croix Virgin Islands of the United States South America|