Dithyrea maritima, or beach spectacle pod is a funny little plant that pops up here and there after the Spring rains out on the sand dunes. It is listed as State Threatened and is one of the species that benefits from the closure of the snowy plover habitat to foot traffic. Looking like a cross between Atriplex (Saltbush) and Abronia (Sand Verbena), it is a tiny little plant that creeps under the sand most of the year. Most people would probably step on it before even seeing it. So watch your step if you are walking through the dunes and remember what a fragile habitat it is.
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