From the Latin pacificus, meaning “peace-making, peacable,” and from a botanic standpoint probably meaning “of the Pacific Ocean or the general Pacific area”
Pickleweed is native to the Pacific coast of North America.
Identification: These woody shrubs may be upright
or close to the ground, and are 4-20″ (10-50 cm) high. Branching is highly variable.
Younger branches are composed of pickle-like green segments ⅛-¾″ (5-20 mm) ×
1/16-⅛″ (2-4 mm). This, and the location in coastal salt marshes and tidal flats, are the key identifying features.
Branches have reddish tips.