- Scientific name: Sabatia stellaris
- Species of Greatest Conservation Need (MA State Wildlife Action Plan)
- Endangered (MA Endangered Species Act)
Description
This herbaceous annual is a member of the gentian family. Generally between 15-45 cm (6-18 in) tall in other parts of its range, sea pink populations in Massachusetts appear somewhat stunted, with plants reaching only about 20 cm (8 in) in height. Sabatia stellaris has a shallow taproot and a solitary, four-angled stem with alternate branches. Its light green leaves are opposite, linear-lanceolate, 3.8 cm (1.5 in) long, and lack any type of stalk. The five-petaled flowers, 2-3.8 cm (0.75-1.5 in) wide, have a yellow center fringed with dark red. Sea pink flowers have bright pink petals, yellow stamens, and long, narrow sepals.
Slender marsh pink (Sabatia campanulata) resembles sea pink but is only found on freshwater pond shores. Although slender marsh pink flowers have only five petals, its sepals are usually longer than the petals and the leaves are skinnier and longer than those of sea pink.
Life cycle and behavior
This is an annual species.
Population status
Sea pink is currently listed as Endangered in Massachusetts under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program database has 2 records from 2 counties: Dukes and Bristol. Neither of the records is within the last 25-year period.
Distribution and abundance
Sabatia stellaris is distributed from southern Massachusetts south along the coast to parts of Florida and Louisiana.
Habitat
This species occurs as patches of low plants in brackish or saline meadows and marshes above the level of daily tidal inundation. It is usually found growing in damp sandy or peaty soil. Sea pink grows in association with marsh grass and low shrubs.
Healthy habitats are vital for supporting native wildlife and plants. Explore habitats and learn about conservation and restoration in Massachusetts.
Threats
Reasons for rarity and potentially threatening factors include the location of the plant at the northern limit of its range and the possible loss of habitat due to a permanent rise in the water level and/or increasing salinity. Consequently, this species may be significantly impacted by climate change and sea level rise. In the Northeast US, sea level has risen about 12 inches since the year 1900, faster than the rate around the world (Staudinger et al. 2024).
Conservation
Salt marshes have been impacted by drainage for several hundred years in Massachusetts. Efforts are now underway to restore original conditions. However, other factors have come into play making restoration efforts difficult. Sea level rise and more frequent, stronger storms has disrupted coastlines. Overharvest of fish species led to an overabundance of the herbivorous native nocturnal marsh crab resulting in vegetation loss and salt marsh damage (Cloverdale et al. 2013). Invasion of salt marshes or brackish meadows by European common reed (Phragmites australis) is a threat to some populations. Control of Phragmites in the salt marshes would help support this species. Natural buffers should be established around the salt marshes to decrease pollution runoff and other direct human disturbances (Young and Ring 2013).
References
Coverdale, T. C., E. E. Axelman, C. P. Brisson, E. W. Young, A. H. Altieri, and M. D. Bertness. 2013. New England Salt Marsh Recovery: Opportunistic Colonization of an Invasive Species and Its Non-Consumptive Effects. PLoS ONE 8.
B Staudinger, M.D., A.V. Karmalkar, K. Terwilliger, K. Burgio, A. Lubeck, H. Higgins, T. Rice, T.L. Morelli, A. D'Amato. 2024. A regional synthesis of climate data to inform the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plans in the Northeast U.S. DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Cooperator Report. 406 p. https://doi.org/10.21429/t352-9q86
Young, S. M., and R. M. Ring. 2013. Sea Pink Guide - New York Natural Heritage Program. Website https://guides.nynhp.org/sea-pink/ [accessed 1 May 2025].
Contact
| Date published: | May 8, 2025 |
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