Tidal Marsh

At the mouth of streams that flow into the sanctuary along the shoreline, diverse freshwater marsh plants grow. In the low marsh near the water, lower elevation zones are dominated by broadleaved emergent plants, such as spatterdock, tuckahoe, and pickerelweed, while higher zones support wild rice and cattails. In the late summer, you may also see the pinkish-white blooms of the swamp rose mallow, a marsh plant that may have inspired the name of the sanctuary. These marsh plants offer habitat and food for many species, absorb nutrients from runoff water, and help prevent erosion along the shore. Throughout Charles County’s Mallows Bay Park, trail signs highlight the cultural significance of these plants.