#salttolerant

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 6 July 2021

The diminutive Lysimachia maritima (sea milkwort) thrives in seaside meadows growing in the cracks of rocky outcrops, gravels and among grasses. This species can withstand seawater, a salty growing medium and even occasional floods.

Plant of the Day

Monday 21 August 2017

Honckenya peploides (sea sandwort, seaside sandplant, sea chickweed, sea pimpernal) is a succulent, usually dioecious (male and female flowers on different plants) perennial growing in seashore locations in sand, shingle and pebbles. It has a circum-boreal distribution in both temperate and arctic regions being found in coastal northern Europe, northern Asia and North America. Here it was growing in sand collected in rock fissures on a beach in the Shetland Isles. Nature makes the best rock gardens! 

Plant of the Day

Sunday 20 August 2017

On a shoreline in the Shetland Isles, Scotland, Tripleurospermum maritimum (sea mayweed) was flowering. This plant is considered a biennial or short-lived herbaceous perennial and can form large clumps that become woody at the base. The flowers looked beautiful with the beach pebbles. 

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 23 August 2017

On the sandy shoreline of the Shetland Isles were the ideal growing conditions for Cakile maritima (sea rocket). This wildflower has adapted to tolerate salt spray with waxy, thick, lobed leaves and a low growing habit to withstand the abrasive sand. In addition the plant has a long taproot. 

Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green Ash)

Plant community: Spontaneous Urban Growth

Native status: Native to North America

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 50 – 70 ft

Width: 35 – 50 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances:

Commonly found in low woods, floodplains and along streams, ponds and sloughs

Pollution tolerant

Pest vulnerable (Emerald Ash borer)

Salt tolerant

Drought tolerant

Flood tolerant

Poor drainage tolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 3-9

Leaf color:

Dark green leaves in the summer. Leaves turn yellow or yellow green in the fall.

Flower color / bloom time:

Purple blooms which come out between April and May

Response to Climate Change:

Researchers predict that due to average temperature rise, shorter winters and a decrease in frequency of extreme cold in the Northeast the range of emerald ash borer infected areas will increase. The invasive species thrives in warmer climates and is often held back by extreme cold, but climate change impacts are improving conditions for the pest. The pest has already killed tens of millions of Green Ash trees. These changes in climate could lead to further habitat and population loss for the green ash.

Potential Climate applications:

The Green Ash has a variety of useful tolerances to flooding, drought, and pollution making it well equipped as an urban storm water tree and ready for the impacts of climate change. However, applications may be limited by the increased prevalence of the green ash borer which has devastating impacts on Green Ash populations.

Climate adaption rank: 1

Sources:

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/green-ash-not-recommended

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a868

Comptonia peregrina (Sweet Fern)

Plant community: Old Field

Native status: Native to Eastern North America

Mature size (height & width)

Height: 2-5 ft

Width: 4-8 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances:

Drought Tolerant

Erosion Resistant

Salt tolerant

Shade intolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 2-6

Leaf color: Yellowish green leaves

Flower color / bloom time: Yellowish-green blooms which come out between April and May.

Response to Climate Change:

The sweet ferns resistance to drought and erosion will make the plant more adaptable to climate conditions.

Potential Climate applications:

This plant is good for stabilizing slopes, embankments, dry sandy banks, sand dunes, along roads, or under powerlines

Climate adaption rank: 3

Sources:

mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/sweet-fern

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/comper/all.html

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=cope80

Celastrus scandens (American Bittersweet)

Plant community:

Native status: Native to North America

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 15-20 ft

Width: 30-60 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances:

Flood tolerant

Salt tolerant

Drought tolerant

Hardiness zone: 3-8

Leaf color: Yellow fall color

Flower color / bloom time:

Greenish-white to yellow blooms which come out between May and June 

Response to Climate Change:

The American Bittersweet is already adaptable to a variety of climate conditions due to it’s drought and flooding tolerances.

Potential Climate applications:

When planted with existing shrub plantings the American Bittersweet can help reinforce erosion control.

Erosion control

Climate adaption rank: 5

Sources:

https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_cesc.pdf

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a151

Carya glabra (Pignut Hickory)

Plant community: Oak Hickory

Native status: Native the Eastern United States

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 50-80 ft

Width: 25-40 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Shade intolerant

Salt tolerant

Drought tolerant

Poor drainage intolerant

Pest vulnerable

Fire vulnerable

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 4-9

Leaf color: Medium green leaves which turn golden brown in the fall

Flower color / bloom time: Yellowish- green blooms which come out between April and May

Response to Climate Change:

Expected to gain new suitable habitat

Climate adaption rank: 1

Sources:

http://www.g-wow.org/App_Uploads_Docs/Submissions/2016%20Wisconsin-WesternUP%20Climate%20Change%20Projections%20for%20Individual%20Tree%20Species.pdf

https://forestadaptation.org/sites/default/files/Northwoods_tree_species_Driftless_area.pdf

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=281351