A
halophyte is a
plant that grows in waters of high
salinity, coming into contact with saline water through its roots or by salt spray, such as in saline semi-deserts,
mangrove swamps, marshes and sloughs and seashores. An example of a halophyte is the salt marsh grass
Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass). Relatively few plant species are halophytes—perhaps only 2% of all plant species.