Suaeda maritima – Sea blite
Sea blite (Suaeda maritima) is an edible plant that can be found along beaches and salt marshes. The subspecies that grows in CT is considered non-native. Sea blite can be identified by its fleshy, almost cylindrical leaves. It produces pale green flowers late summer-fall. Sea blite is edible raw or cooked. It has a salty […]
Atriplex prostrata – Triangle Orache
Triangle orache (Atriplex prostrata) is an edible plant that can be found along the coast and in salty soil. Saltbush/orache (Atriplex spp.) is a group of 200+ species. No Atriplex species are toxic, but not all are palatable. Triangle orache can be identified by its spear-shaped leaves with toothed edges and a white bloom. It […]
Ulva spp. – Sea lettuce
Sea lettuce (Ulva spp.) is an edible green alga that can be found in inter-tidal zones. There are both native and non-native species of sea lettuce in Connecticut that can be difficult to differentiate without a microscope. Sea lettuce produces vibrant green, translucent sheets that are two cells thick. They attach to rocks and shells. […]
Codium fragile – Dead Man’s Fingers
Dead Man’s Fingers (Codium fragile) is an edible and invasive species of seaweed that originated in Japan. Dead man’s fingers can be found along the coastline during low tide. Seaweed can be harvested year-round. The plant is named for its finger-like fronds that hang from rocks. Dead man’s fingers can be a nuisance to […]