Family: Plumbaginaceae
Author: (Walter) Britton
Bibliography: Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 5: 255 (1894)
Year: 1894
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Limonium
Vegetable: False
Observations: E. Canada to Mexico (Tamaulipas), Bermuda
Description
Carolina sea-lavender, scientifically known as Limonium carolinianum, belongs to the Plumbaginaceae family, a group well-known for its diversity of salt-tolerant plant species. This resilient perennial is widely distributed across the eastern part of Canada, down to Mexico in the state of Tamaulipas, and extends to Bermuda, showcasing its adaptability to different coastal environments.
First described in the Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club in 1894 by Britton, Limonium carolinianum is celebrated for its intricate and beautiful flowers, which contribute to the coastal flora’s aesthetic and ecological value. The plant thrives in saline conditions often found in salt marshes and coastal regions, leveraging its remarkable ability to endure and even flourish in high-salinity soils where few other plants can survive.
Carolina sea-lavender’s visual allure is complemented by its ecological role. It provides habitat and nourishment for various insects, including important pollinators. The plant’s lush inflorescences are characterized by shades of purple, blue, or white, forming dense clusters that become a striking feature of coastal landscapes during their blooming period.
Beyond its ecological and visual contributions, Limonium carolinianum is noteworthy for its applications in horticulture. Often used as an ornamental plant in garden settings that mimic its natural salty habitats, it offers a reliable option for gardeners seeking to create saline-tolerant landscapes.
Its introduction in botanical documentation by Britton serves as a crucial reference point for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike, noting the plant’s widespread occurrence and its resilience across a range of North American and Bermudian coastal areas. The Carolina sea-lavender stands as a testament to nature’s ability to adapt and thrive in challenging environments while providing significant ecological benefits.
Common Names
Eng: american thrift, carolina sea lavender, carolina sea-lavender, carolina sealavender, canker root, lavender thrift, seaside thrift, american seaside thift, dark blue, lavender seaside thrift, marsh rosemary, sea lavender
Fra: limonium de caroline, lavande de mer, limonie de nash, limonium de nash
En: Carolina sea-lavender, American thrift, Carolina sea lavender, Carolina sealavender, Canker root, Lavender thrift, Seaside thrift, American seaside thift, Dark blue, Lavender seaside thrift, Marsh rosemary, Sea lavender
Fr: Limonium de Caroline, Lavande de mer, Limonie de Nash, Limonium de Nash
Synonyms
- Statice nashii ((Small) Wangerin)
- Statice brasiliensis var. angustata (A.Gray)
- Limonium nashii (Small)
- Limonium angustatum ((A.Gray) Small)
- Limonium trichogonum (S.F.Blake)
- Statice limonium var. carolinianum ((Walter) A.Gray)
- Limonium nashii var. angustatum ((A.Gray) H.E.Ahles)
- Statice caroliniana (Walter)
- Statice leonis (Sennen)
- Statice lefroyi (Hemsl.)
- Limonium endlichianum ((Wangerin) S.F.Blake)
- Limonium lefroyi ((Hemsl.) Britton)
- Limonium carolinianum var. nashii ((Small) B.Boivin)
- Limonium carolinianum var. compactum (Shinners)
- Statice endlichiana (Wangerin)
- Limonium carolinianum var. trichogonum ((S.F.Blake) B.Boivin)
- Limonium carolinianum var. obtusilobum ((S.F.Blake) H.E.Ahles)
- Taxanthema carolinianum (Sweet)
- Statice tracyi (Gand.)
- Limonium nashii f. albiflorum (House)
- Limonium obtusilobum (S.F.Blake)
- Limonium nashii var. trichogonum (S.F.Blake)
- Limonium trichogonum f. albiflorum (House)
- Statice angustata ((A.Gray) Wangerin)
- Limonium carolinianum var. angustatum ((A.Gray) S.F.Blake)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Bermuda (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Texas (native)
- Virginia (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 22, 2019 by l (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2018 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2021 by kevin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2021 by kevin (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 3, 2014 by EOL − Mark Rosenstein (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2013 by EOL − Kyle Jones (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 22, 2013 by EOL − Kyle Jones (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 11, 2013 by EOL − Anita (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 5, 2016 by EOL − Lewnanny Richardson (cc-by-nc)
Leaf
Taken Jun 23, 2020 by pflantastisch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2020 by koumon atsu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 29, 2022 by Nacho (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Guy Savard (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3082300)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:140342-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Limonium carolinianum (Walter) Britton)
Specifications
Growth form>: Single Crown
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
Growth rate>: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.5
Ph minimum: 6.0