Frankenia pulverulenta
European sea heath
(c) Ben Jobson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Frankeniaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Frankenia pulverulenta (European sea heath) is a non-native California herb in the Frankeniaceae family, recognized by . Key features: annual habit, broader leaves 1-3mm wide, typically 6 stamens, pink-purple flowers.
European sea heath is a naturalized annual found in southern California coastal areas in high-salinity marshes and intermittently flooded areas at elevations below 20 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces delicate pink to purple flowers 4 to 5 millimeters long in small axillary clusters. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 1 to 8 centimeters tall and covered in curved white hairs, it forms compact plants up to 15 to 30 centimeters in diameter. Its small leaves are 1 to 6 millimeters long, narrow, and slightly rolled under with sparse hairs on the underside. The plant produces numerous oblong-ellipsoid seeds in fruits 2 to 2.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species. Key features: annual habit, broader leaves 1-3mm wide, typically 6 stamens, pink-purple flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: High-salinity marshes and intermittently flooded areas
Elevation: < 20 m
California counties: San Diego
Outside California: Oregon, Utah, Africa, southwestern Asia, native to Europe
Bloom period
Frankenia pulverulenta blooms Apr-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Suaeda: Frankenia has flowers with visible petals; seablite has tiny flowers without petals, only sepals.; vs Batis: Frankenia has individual flowers with petals; saltwort has flowers in cone-like spikes without petals.; vs Eriogonum: Frankenia has fused sepals and 4-7 stamens; buckwheat has papery bracts below flowers and 9 stamens.; vs Atriplex: Frankenia has showy flowers with pink-white petals; saltbush has tiny green flowers without petals.; vs Sesuvium: Frankenia has thin non-succulent leaves; sea purslane has thick succulent leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Frankenia pulverulenta native to California?
No. Frankenia pulverulenta is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Frankenia pulverulenta bloom?
Frankenia pulverulenta blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Frankenia pulverulenta grow?
Frankenia pulverulenta occurs in San Diego, at elevations of < 20 m.
What plant family does Frankenia pulverulenta belong to?
Frankenia pulverulenta is in the Frankeniaceae family, genus Frankenia.
What habitat does Frankenia pulverulenta grow in?
Frankenia pulverulenta grows in High-salinity marshes and intermittently flooded areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.