Batis maritima

Batis maritima, the saltwort or beachwort (also known as turtleweed, pickleweed, barilla, planta de sal, camphire, herbe-à-crâbes, and akulikuli-kai), is a halophyte. It is a C3-plant, long-lived perennial, dioecious, succulent shrub. The plant forms dense colonies in salt marshes, brackish marshes, and mangrove swamps and frequently is found on the margins of saltpans and wind-tidal flats. Batis maritima is a pioneer plant, covers quickly areas where hurricanes have destroyed the natural vegetation. So far, Batis maritima has not been used commercially for food production but the seeds have a high oil content with high nutritional value.

Description

A small shrub. It is slightly woody at the base. The stems are trailing. It forms roots at the nodes. The leaves are simple, narrow and opposite. They are fleshy. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowers are small and in cone like groups in the axils of leaves.

Edible Uses

The salty leaves can be eaten in salads or cooked, and are used as a pickle. The roots are chewed and sucked for their sweet juice, and can be used for a drink or to sweeten coffee.

Traditional Uses

The plant can be cooked and is also used as a pickle. The salty leaves can be eaten in salads. The roots are chewed and sucked for their sweet juice. It can also be used for a drink or to sweeten coffee.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of tropical America. It prefers saline conditions. It forms large communities in brackish water. It can grow in salty conditions.

Where It Grows

Anguilla, Brazil, Central America*, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, North America, Pacific, Peru, Puerto Rico, Pan tropical, South America, Suriname, West Indies*,

Cultivation

A plant of subtropical to tropical coastal areas. Tolerates seaside conditions, alkaline soil, salt, no drainage and seasonal flooding. Plants usually flower and fruit all year round.

Other Uses

The plant ashes are rich in potash and can be used for making soap and glass. The plant scrambles over sandy soils, often rooting as it goes. This makes it suitable for use in soil stabilization projects on dunes and sandy soils near the sea.

Notes

There are 2 Batis species. There is only one Bataceae genus.

Synonyms

Also Known As

American saltwort, Saladilla

References (14)

• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 55
• Centofanti, T. & Banuelos, G., 2019, Practical uses of Halophytic Plants as Sources of Food and Fodder. CAB International. p 331
• Ekman Herbarium records Haiti
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 48
• Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 94