Hurst Spit supports an important community of saltmarsh plants especially sea purslane (Halimione portulacoides); glasswort (Salicornia species); annual seablite (Suaeda maritima); and golden samphire (Inula crithmoides) [REF].
Behind the spit is an area of saltmarsh and mud flats known as Keyhaven and Pennington marshes [REF].