Plant · GBIF taxon 4939647
Saltmarsh mallow
Kosteletzkya pentacarposAlso known as Seashore Mallow, Sweat Weed, Virginia Saltmarsh Mallow
Saltmarsh mallows bloom along brackish coasts and coastal wetlands, producing delicate five-petaled pink flowers that open for just a single day. These halophytic perennials thrive in salty, waterlogged soils where few other flowering plants can survive, using specialized root structures to filter out excess sodium. Their blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout late summer, playing a vital role in coastal marsh ecosystems.
Salt-tolerantWetlandPink Blooms
1 / 7—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Muskrats
- Marsh Rabbits
- Herbivorous Insects
ThreatsCoastal development, wetland drainage, invasive marsh plants
HabitatsBrackish marshes, coastal wetlands, salt flats, ditch margins
Life span5–10 years (Perennial)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMalvaceae
- SpeciesKosteletzkya pentacarpos
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observe Blooms Early: Flowers open in the morning and typically drop their petals by evening.
- Protect Wetland Soil: Stay on established boardwalks or footpaths to prevent marsh compaction.
- Look for Pollinators: Watch for bumblebees and butterflies gathering nectar on warm sunny days.
Frequent Companion Wikimedia Commons / Public domain · cc0
Pollinator Sid Mosdell from New Zealand / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Stefan.lefnaer, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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