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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Armeria maritima

Armeria maritima (Mill.) Willd.

Thrift Seapink

Plumbaginaceae (Leadwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: arma6

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N)

This plant forms dense tussocks of grayish-green, linear leaves and pubescent flower stems. Up to 2 feet tall, the flower stems terminate in a small, round head of pink to lavender flowers. A low plant with a basal cluster of many narrow leaves and, atop a slender, leafless stalk, a globe of pale lilac flowers, beneath which are several broad, purplish, papery bracts. Tussocks of dried leaves are persistent.

It resembles a small onion, but the two families are only related in that they are flowering plants.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Leaf: Dark Green
Fruit: Brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , CO , OR , PA , WA
Canada: BC , MB , NL , NT , NU , ON , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Circumpolar, s. in the U.S. from the Aleutian Islands along the Pacific Coast to s. CA.
Native Habitat: Gravelly tundra; coastal cliffs & beaches.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: The variety californica occurs from Vancouver Island through California

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Bees
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or cuttings.
Seed Treatment: Seeds do not need pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FACU	FACU		FACU				FACU	FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Armeria maritima in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Armeria maritima in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Armeria maritima

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-26
Research By: TWC Staff

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