Limonium otolepis
Asian sea lavender
(c) Natalya Ivanova, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plumbaginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Limonium otolepis (Asian sea lavender) is a non-native California herb in the Plumbaginaceae family, recognized by deciduous basal leaves, clasping stem leaves, 1-sided flower clusters.
Asian sea lavender is a naturalized perennial found in the San Francisco Bay and Southern California coastal regions in disturbed coastal areas and salt marshes at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from September to February, this plant produces pale blue-violet flowers with white calyces in small, mostly one- to two-flowered clusters. Growing 40 to 80 centimeters tall with erect stems, it develops a distinctive branching pattern with slender branches. Its leaves are obovate to oblong, 3 to 8 centimeters long and 1.5 to 3 centimeters wide, with bases tapering and often deciduous before flowering. The plant's delicate inflorescence and pale color make it a subtle addition to coastal disturbed habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; deciduous basal leaves, clasping stem leaves, 1-sided flower clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon; disturbed, coastal areas, salt marshes
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: native to western and central Asia
Bloom period
Limonium otolepis blooms Sep-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 otolepis native to California?
No. Limonium otolepis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Limonium otolepis bloom?
Limonium otolepis blooms Sep-Feb.
What plant family does Limonium otolepis belong to?
Limonium otolepis is in the Plumbaginaceae family, genus Limonium.
What habitat does Limonium otolepis grow in?
Limonium otolepis grows in Uncommon; disturbed, coastal areas, salt marshes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.