Tidal Marsh/ Marsh Pink

COMMON NAME: Marsh Pink

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Sea Pink, Salt Marsh Pink, Bitterbloom

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sabatia stellaris

FAMILY: Gentianaceae

COMMUNITY: Tidal Marsh

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: 3 to 20 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Late July to late September

FRUITING TIME: August to late October

DISTRIBUTION: Southern Maine to Florida and west to Louisiana ~ Throughout coastal strip in NJ, mostly in salt marshes or edge of salt marsh and Delaware Bay shore

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves opposite, entire, broad on the lower part of the plant and narrow near apex ~ Flower yellow eye with red border, color varies from white to light lilac to crimson pink,1 to 2 inches in diameter, regular, 5 petals and stamens

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Gentianaceae family commonly called the Gentain family is composed of 74 genera and 1,200 species of herbs and a few shrubs and small trees; found primarily in temperate and subtropical regions. Gentius, King of Illyria (ancient country approximately where Greece is today) in the second century B.C. supposedly discovered the medicinal properties of Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea). It has been reported that the inhabitants of Plymouth, Massachusetts were convinced that the Pilgrims of 1620 named Marsh Pink “Sabatia” after the Sabbath, the holy day on which they first saw the flower, and that “strong objections are made if any other flowers are irreverently mingled with it in church decorations.” The common name “Bitterbloom” is derived from its use as a bitter tonic. Marsh Pink grows in the upper, rarely flooded portions of the salt marsh.  Seldom abundant, usually only a few plants are present.  Frequently associated with sea oxeye, sea lavender and salt grass.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.