Limonium ramosissimum
Algerian sealavender
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Family: Plumbaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Limonium ramosissimum (Algerian sealavender) is a non-native California subshrub in the Plumbaginaceae family, recognized by all branches flowering, very dense clusters 4-8 per cm, pale pink flowers.
Algerian sealavender is a naturalized perennial found in coastal areas of central California, including Morro Bay and San Francisco Bay, in salt marshes, coastal scrub, and grasslands at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from August to June, this plant produces pale pink flowers with white calyces in small clusters of 2 to 5 blossoms. Growing with erect stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms dense, branching clusters of flowers at the branch tips. Its basal leaves are obovate to spoon-shaped, 3 to 10 centimeters long and 7 to 20 millimeters wide, with acute to rounded tips. The compact flowering branches create a distinctive, crowded appearance in coastal habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; all branches flowering, very dense clusters 4-8 per cm, pale pink flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal salt marshes, coastal or riparian scrub, grassland, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 500 m
Outside California: native to Mediterranean
Bloom period
Limonium ramosissimum blooms Aug-Jun.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
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 ramosissimum native to California?
No. Limonium ramosissimum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Limonium ramosissimum bloom?
Limonium ramosissimum blooms Aug-Jun.
What plant family does Limonium ramosissimum belong to?
Limonium ramosissimum is in the Plumbaginaceae family, genus Limonium.
Is Limonium ramosissimum invasive in California?
Limonium ramosissimum is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Limonium ramosissimum grow in?
Limonium ramosissimum grows in Coastal salt marshes, coastal or riparian scrub, grassland, disturbed areas.
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.