Welcome to the Plant Pages, where you will find an introduction to 25 common plants of Upper Newport Bay. This is a product of a dedicated and talented volunteer, Don Millar, who photographed plants for over three years to capture the blooms and seeds during their season. The pictures and descriptions should help you recognize the plants you will encounter during restoration projects and on outings in this habitat. You can find a larger index of Upper Newport Bay plants by visiting the Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends website.

Right Column

Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)

Plant: A low growing perennial that reproduces by extensive creeping, yellowish, scaly rhizomes, forming large colonies. Often produces colonies where all flowers are of one sex.
Flowers: On a few short branches with several to many large, flowered spikelets. Spikelets are purple to straw colored, 1/8 to 1/4 inch long.
Leaf: The flat blades are arranged on opposite sides of the stem, usually bluish-green.