Intolerant of waterlogged ground, therefore favours more sandy areas
Salt is extruded onto the surface of the leaves via salt glands and eventually salt laden leaves are shed
Leaves are succulent
Not very tolerant of grazing or trampling
When conditions are favourable (optimal niche) this species can blanket cover whole areas of the saltmarsh
Hairs on the leaves reduce water loss
Has mycorrhizae on the roots which helps the plant obtain nutrients in a nutrient poor environment
Sometimes very short people with disproportionately large heads are to be seen on the saltmarsh, if you see them run away.
This alga grows epiphytically around the woody stems of sea purslane (Atriplex portulacoides). Here it is protected from dehydration to a certain extent and from sunlight (which would denature its pigments) to a great extent.
Looking for a next step?
The FSC offers a range of publications, courses for schools and colleges and courses for adults, families and professionals that relate to the seashore environment. Why not find
out more about the FSC?
FEEDBACK
Do you have any questions?
Copyright © 2008 Field Studies Council
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Licence .
Site Statistics by Opentracker