Limonium brassicifolium
(c) Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Plumbaginaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Limonium brassicifolium is a non-native California perennial in the Plumbaginaceae family, recognized by distinctive pinnately lobed leaves and 1-flowered clusters.
Sea lavender is a naturalized perennial found in southern coastal California in disturbed areas and coastal lagoons at elevations below 15 meters. Flowering in February, this plant produces white flowers with blue-purple calyx lobes in small, crowded clusters at branch tips. Growing 20 to 60 centimeters tall with erect stems, it develops a distinctive winged inflorescence with wings 5 to 20 millimeters wide. Its leaves are large and obovate, measuring 8 to 35 centimeters long and 3.5 to 12 centimeters wide, with pinnate lobing near the base and petioles 4 to 6 centimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinctive pinnately lobed leaves and 1-flowered clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon; disturbed areas, coastal lagoons
Elevation: < 15 m
Outside California: native to Canary Islands
Bloom period
Limonium brassicifolium blooms Feb.
How to tell it apart
vs Verbena: Limonium has spoon-shaped basal leaves; Verbena has toothed leaves on flowering stems.; vs Rumex: Limonium has showy pink/lavender flowers in sprays; Rumex has tiny green/brown flowers.; vs Eriogonum: Limonium has spoon-shaped leaves and papery flowers; Eriogonum often has woolly leaves.; vs Tournefortia: Limonium has branching sprays; Tournefortia has coiled, scorpion-tail flower clusters.; vs Anemopsis: Limonium has airy flower sprays; Anemopsis has cone-like spike with white bracts below.
Frequently asked questions
Is Limonium brassicifolium native to California?
No. Limonium brassicifolium is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Limonium brassicifolium bloom?
Limonium brassicifolium blooms Feb.
What plant family does Limonium brassicifolium belong to?
Limonium brassicifolium is in the Plumbaginaceae family, genus Limonium.
What habitat does Limonium brassicifolium grow in?
Limonium brassicifolium grows in Uncommon; disturbed areas, coastal lagoons.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-01
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.