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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Armeria maritima (Thrift seapink)
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: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , CO , OR , WA
Canada: BC
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:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
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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