High marsh or salt marsh (HM)

The normal uppermost tidal wetland zone, designated HM on an inventory map, usually dominated by salt meadow grass, Spartina patens;and spike grass, Distichlis spicata. This zone is periodically flooded by spring and storm tides and is often vegetated by low vigor, Spartina alterniflora and Seaside lavender, Limonium carolinianum. Upper limits of this zone often include black grass, Juncus Gerardi; chairmaker's rush, Scirpus sp;marsh elder, Iva frutescens; and groundsel bush, Baccharis halimifolia. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)