Marsh daisy (Armeria maritima, Enum. Pl.: 333 (1809))

Family: Plumbaginaceae

Author: (Mill.) Willd.

Bibliography: Enum. Pl.: 333 (1809)

Year: 1809

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Armeria

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Marsh daisy is a resilient and adaptable flowering plant, known scientifically as Armeria maritima. It is a member of the Plumbaginaceae family and was first described in 1809 in the work “Enumeratio Plantarum” under the authorship of (Mill.) Willd.

Thriving in subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Marsh daisy is a remarkable species that has adapted to a variety of challenging conditions. It is frequently found in coastal environments where few other plants can flourish, showcasing its robust nature and versatility.

The plant forms dense, low-growing tufts of grass-like foliage, typically evergreen, which provide an excellent ground cover in gardens and natural landscapes. Its floral display is notable; the Marsh daisy produces charming globes of pink, purple, or white flowers that sit atop slender, leafless stems. These blooms are not only visually appealing but also attract a range of pollinators, contributing to the local ecosystem’s health.

Despite its delicate appearance, Marsh daisy is incredibly hardy. It can endure salty, windy coastal air and thrives in well-drained, sandy soils. This makes it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to create sustainable, low-maintenance gardens that can withstand challenging conditions.

Furthermore, the Marsh daisy’s ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soil and its low water requirements make it a favored plant for xeriscaping and rock gardens. Its resilience is also beneficial in erosion control, particularly in stabilizing poor, sandy soils along coastlines.

In essence, the Marsh daisy is a perfect blend of beauty and toughness. Whether used in seaside gardens, rockeries, or as a ground cover, this plant continues to be a popular choice for both its aesthetic qualities and its remarkable adaptability.

Common Names

Dan: engelskgræs, fåreleger
Deu: gemeine grasnelke, gewöhnliche grasnelke
Spa: clavel de playas
Nld: engels gras, gewoon engels gras
Fra: gazon dolympe, arméria maritime, armérie maritime
Lav: jurmalas armerija
Eng: marsh daisy, sea cushion, sea daisy, sea thrift, sea-pink, thrift, thrift seapink, labrador sea thrift, foxflower, sea pink, western thrift
Por: relva-do-olimpo
Swe: trift, gräsnejlika
Ces: trávni
Sme: lávkenellet, lávkeneillet
Cym: clustog fair
Nob: fjærekoll
Nno: fjørekoll
Gla: nóinín an chladaigh, rabhán, tonn an chladaigh
En: Marsh daisy, Sea cushion, Sea daisy, Thrift, Sea thrift, Sea-pink, Thrift seapink, Sea pink, Labrador sea thrift, Foxflower, Western thrift
Af: Seapienk
Eu: Itsas krabelin
Ca: Gasó alpí
Zh: 海石竹
Kw: Bryton
Cs: Trávnička přímořská, Trávni
Da: Almindelig Engelskgræs, Engelskgræs, Fåreleger
Nl: Gewoon Engels gras, Engels gras
Et: Roosa merikann
Fi: Laukkaneilikka, Rusolaukkaneilikka
Fr: Gazon dolympe, Arméria maritime, Armérie maritime
Gl: Herba de namorar
De: Gemeine Grasnelke, Gewöhnliche Grasnelke
Hu: Magas istác
Is: Geldingahnappur
Ko: 아르메리아
Lv: Jurmalas armerija
Lt: Pajūrinė gvaizdė
Se: Lávkenellet, Lávkeneillet
No: Fjærekoll, Fjørekoll, Strandnellik
Nb: Fjærekoll
Nn: Fjørekoll
Fa: آرمریا ماریتیما
Pl: Zawciąg pospolity
Pt: Relva-do-Olimpo
Ru: Armeriâ primorskaâ, Армерия приморская
Gd: Nóinín an chladaigh, Rabhán, Tonn an chladaigh
Sk: Trávnička prímorská
Es: Clavel de playas, Navadni pečnik, Clavelina de mar
Sv: Trift, Gräsnejlika
Zh-tw: 海石竹
Uk: Армерія покутська
Cy: Clustog fair

Synonyms

• Statice maritima (Mill.)
• Armeria elongata maritima ((Mill.) C.Hartm.)
• Statice armeria subsp. maritima ((Mill.) P.Fourn.)
• Armeria elongata var. maritima ((Mill.) Skottsb.)
• Armeria vulgaris var. maritima ((Mill.) Hartm.)
• Statice armeria var. maritima ((Mill.) Wahlenb.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 5, 2019 by grudhu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2021 by Francesco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by julie rance (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2019 by Leon Müller (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 8, 2022 by vividelvallearroba (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2019 by Pascal SANDRARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2019 by Elisabeth Frenoy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 26, 2016 by Szabolcs Frater (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2021 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 2022 by gilles collin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2019 by Elisabeth Frenoy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Capucine Capucine Chavagnac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2014 by EOL − Lindsey K. Wise (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Capucine Capucine Chavagnac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2021 by serpentinahermetica (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2020 by marie lacharme (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 30, 2021 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Stéphane Adamowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 2022 by gilles collin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Meg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Meg (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 6, 2017 by Lisa J (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2020 by Louis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2019 by oursfort (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:19793-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8930531)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Armeria maritima (Mill.) Willd.)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.7

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 4

Soil salinity: 6