Common Sea-lavender
Limonium vulgare
Leadwort family (Plumbaginaceae)
Inedible highlight in the salt marsh
Sea lavender has grey-green leaves that resemble the ears of sheep. However the vegetable that is sold as ‘lamsoor’ (lamb’s ear) in the Netherlands is actually an aster (daisy family), not sea lavender. The common sea lavender is confined to salt marshes occasionally flooded by seawater. Under the leaf are salt glands that secrete the excess salt from the plant.
Sea lavender is extremely good at catching mud particles. The seeds require a layer of mud in order to germinate. Over time this alluvial soil accumulates until it reaches such a height that the number of times the salty water floods it, decreases. The common sea lavender then loses ground to other plants such as the black needle rush or red fescue. Sea lavender is sensitive to trampling.
The profusion of flowers occurs in late summer and into the autumn with red-purple to purple flowers that attract many insects.
Themes
Crown jewel of Domies Toen.
This plant produces nectar and pollen, and is visited by bumblebees and butterflies.
This plant produces nectar and pollen, and is visited by bumblebees and butterflies.
Details
Description: | Herb, up to 0.3 m. |
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Distributions: | Western and southern europe, including britain, north africa, north america. |
Habitat: | Salt marshes, avoiding shade. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (trees and shrubs included) |
Hardiness: | -4 - 5 f (hardy - very cold winter) |
Flowering period: | Juli - oktober |
Flower color: | Blue, purple |
At its best: | Juli - oktober |