Plumbaginaceae: Plumbago Family
Sea Pink / California Thrift – Armeria maritima subsp. californica
Blooms:
Feb–Sept
Plant Height:
< 60 cm
Flower Size:
Medium cluster
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Coastal bluffs, meadows and sandy places below 245 m
Notes:
This plant bears a single, bright pink inflorescence, with many 5-petaled individual flowers, on a leafless peduncle. The inflorescence rests upon a double circle of brownish-transparent bracts, and the involucre forms a sheath extending 2–3 cm down the peduncle (see last photo). The leaves are narrow and flat, up to 12 cm long. Photo #3 by CJH.
Statice – Limonium sinuatum
Blooms:
All year
Plant Height:
20–50 cm
Flower Size:
Large cluster
Origin:
Mediterranean
Habitat:
Disturbed coastal areas, roadsides
Notes:
An unmistakable genus. The petals are white, and it has papery sepals that are purple, pale lavender, or white. The leaves are pinnately lobed, which allows this species to be distinguished from the otherwise similar Canarian Sea Lavender (Limonium perezii, not shown) which has entire, roundish basal leaves. Often cultivated, occasionally escaping, or introduced (as in Garland Ranch). Photo #3 by CJH.
