Batis
Batis maritima L.
Batis maritima, known as saltwort or beachwort, is a dioecious, long-lived perennial shrub. It is a halophyte that thrives in salt marshes, brackish marshes, and mangrove swamps. The plant is often found on the edges of saltpans and wind-tidal flats. It is a pioneer species, rapidly colonizing areas after hurricanes have damaged vegetation.
Description
Batis maritima (L.) is a member of the Bataceae family and is native to coastal regions across the Americas and the Caribbean. It is a C3-plant with succulent leaves and forms dense colonies in saline environments. The species is adapted to high salinity and is frequently observed in disturbed coastal habitats. It is widely distributed in regions such as Brazil, Colombia, the Galapagos, and the southeastern United States. Its rapid growth makes it an important species for stabilizing coastal ecosystems after natural disturbances.
Other common names
TurtleweedWild BananaBatisBeachwortSaltwort
Distribution
Cienaga La Virgen · BR · Manaure | Riohacha · Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca | Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona · Antioquia, Atlántico, Bolívar, Córdoba, La Guajira, Magdalena, Sucre · Ecuadorian (Galapagos) part of the South Pacific Ocean · Hawaii · HN · Alabama · Aruba · Bahamas · Belize · Brazil Northeast · Brazil Southeast · California · Cayman Is. · Colombia · Cuba · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · Florida · French Guiana · Galápagos · Georgia · Guyana · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Leeward Is. · Louisiana
Synonyms
Batis americanaBatis californica