Print Report

G433 Atriplex semibaccata - Batis maritima Hawaiian Ruderal Coastal Salt Marsh Group

Type Concept Sentence: Hawaiian disturbed or damaged tidal salt marshes dominated by the non-native scrub Batis maritima.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Australian Saltbush - Turtleweed Hawaiian Ruderal Coastal Salt Marsh Group

Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Ruderal Coastal Salt Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: These are disturbed or damaged intertidal salt marshes and surrounding saline shallow ponds found throughout the coastal areas of the main Hawaiian Islands. Non-native species are the dominant canopy cover with low scrub species such as Batis maritima. They are generally species-poor, although other non-natives are present as well as remnant native species. The vegetation is of low scrub, generally less than 0.25 m tall.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This group likely displaces native salt marsh communities such as Sesuvium (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Low scrub <1 m in height.

Floristics: Non-native species are the dominant canopy cover with Batis maritima, Pluchea indica, and Atriplex semibaccata. Other non-native species in salt marsh areas include Achyranthes aspera, Cenchrus echinatus, Chloris barbata (= Chloris inflata), Cressa truxillensis, Paspalum vaginatum, and Reichardia tingitana. Native species may be present, but at very low abundances, including Cyperus spp., Eleocharis spp., Fimbristylis cymosa, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Sesuvium portulacastrum, and Vigna marina.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Salt marshes are defined by high salinity soil and soil water and tidal inundation by seawater daily. Salt marshes occur on silt, sand, or coralline substrates, and on the main islands in depressions and on mudflats adjacent to ponds, and lagoons. Salinity is determined by the ratio of freshwater inflows from streams and groundwater versus the amount of seawater inflows. Marshes on the leeward side of the island typically have higher salinity due to less freshwater influence, while windward salt marshes are less saline due to greater rainfall and more freshwater inputs. Salt marshes occur as small patches at mouths of streams and in depressions behind beaches and rocky shorelines with a hydrologic surface connection to the ocean.

Climate: Climate is warm, tropical. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates include mud and silt that are saline, and influenced by tides.
Geographic Range: This ruderal salt marsh group occurs throughout the coastal areas of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  HI


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.5 Salt Marsh Formation F035 2.C.5
Division 2.C.5.Wf Tropical Indo-Pacific Coastal Salt Marsh Division D038 2.C.5.Wf
Macrogroup 2.C.5.Wf.90 Indo-Pacific Ruderal Coastal Salt Marsh Macrogroup M250 2.C.5.Wf.90
Group 2.C.5.Wf.90.a Australian Saltbush - Turtleweed Hawaiian Ruderal Coastal Salt Marsh Group G433 2.C.5.Wf.90.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pickleweed (Batis) Marsh (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
Concept Author(s): W.C. Gagne and L.W. Cuddihy (1990)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-27-16
  • Canfield, J. E. 1990. Description and map of the plant communities of the Kaloko-Honokohau National Cultural Park. University of Hawaii Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report 73, Department of Botany, University of Hawaii, Honolulu. 29 pp.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
  • Gagne, W. C., and L. W. Cuddihy. 1990. Vegetation. Pages 45-114 in: W. L. Wagner, D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer, editors. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. 2 volumes. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.
  • Mueller-Dombois, D., and F. R. Fosberg. 1998. Vegetation of the tropical Pacific islands. Springer-Verlag, New York. 733 pp.