Limonium carolinianum (Walter) Britton. Common name: Carolina Sea-lavender, Seaside Thrift, Inkroot, Marsh Rosemary. Phenology: Aug-Oct. Habitat: Tidal marshes, especially in hypersaline flats. Distribution: Along the coast from NL (Labrador) south to s. FL, west to s. TX and ne. Mexico.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: Various treatments recognize from 1 to 6 taxa in our area. The most recent monographer of the genus in our region, Luteyn (1976), recognized only a polymorphic L. carolinianum – a treatment followed by most flora authors since. Although Godfrey & Wooten (1981) followed Luteyn's treatment, they stated "we are not at all confident that Luteyn's treatment is a reasonable one." Modern study is needed.
Other Comments: The flowering stems of this species have sometimes been gathered in large quantities for dried floral arrangements. Herbalists gather the roots in winter to brew a tea as a remedy for colds, fever, and diarrhea.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Can, Fl4, FNA5, GW2, K4, NE, NY, Va, WH3, Luteyn (1976); > Limonium angustatum (A.Gray) Small — S, S13; > Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Small — S13; > Limonium californicum (Boiss.) Small — S13; > Limonium carolinianum (Walter) Britton — F, S, S13, Tat; > Limonium carolinianum (Walter) Britton var. angustatum (A.Gray) Blake — G; > Limonium carolinianum (Walter) Britton var. carolinianum — G, RAB; > Limonium carolinianum (Walter) Britton var. obtusilobum (Blake) H.E.Ahles — RAB; > Limonium limbatum Small — S13; > Limonium nashii Small — F, S, S13; > Limonium nashii Small var. angustatum (A.Gray) H.E.Ahles — RAB, Tx; > Limonium nashii Small var. nashii — G, RAB, Tx; > Limonium nashii Small var. trichogonum (Blake) Blake — Tat; > Limonium obtusilobum Blake — S; Statice caroliniana Walter. Basionym: Statice caroliniana Walter 1788
Links to other floras: = Limonium carolinianum - FNA5
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
- Great Plains: OBL
- Northcentral & Northeast: OBL
Heliophily ⓘ: 9
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial found in tidal marshes, especially on salt flats.
Stems: Stems wide-branched and smooth.
Leaves: Leaves in a basal rosette, petiolate, broadly oval to spoon-shaped, 2-12 in. long, with q prominent mid-vein, leathery-fleshy and smooth.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers along one side of each of the stiffly forking branches, creating a fan-like effect; pink to lavender or blue; 1/4 in. long; consisting of 5 overlapping, rounded petals and a reddish, 5-lobed calyx.
Fruits:
Comments:
Height: 8-28 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial found in tidal marshes, especially on salt flats.
stems: Stems wide-branched and smooth.
leaves: Leaves in a basal rosette, petiolate, broadly oval to spoon-shaped, 2-12 in. long, with q prominent mid-vein, leathery-fleshy and smooth.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers along one side of each of the stiffly forking branches, creating a fan-like effect; pink to lavender or blue; 1/4 in. long; consisting of 5 overlapping, rounded petals and a reddish, 5-lobed calyx.
fruits:
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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