Limonium sventenii
James Steakley (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA
Family: Plumbaginaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Limonium sventenii is a non-native California perennial in the Plumbaginaceae family, recognized by tallest species, large elliptic leaves, glabrous calyx.
Limonium sventenii is a naturalized perennial herb found in the Peninsular Ranges bioregion in disturbed areas at elevations around 100 meters. Flowering in February, this plant produces white flowers with blue-purple calyxes, creating a delicate color contrast. Growing with erect stems up to 70 centimeters tall, it forms an elegant upright structure in its habitat. Its leaves are elliptic to obovate, 7 to 14 centimeters long and 3 to 8 centimeters wide, with entire margins and an attenuate base tapering to an acuminate tip. The plant's terminal branches feature crowded flower clusters with narrow winged axes, giving it a distinctive architectural appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; tallest species, large elliptic leaves, glabrous calyx
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: 100 m
Outside California: native to Canary Islands
Bloom period
Limonium sventenii 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 sventenii native to California?
No. Limonium sventenii is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Limonium sventenii bloom?
Limonium sventenii blooms Feb.
What plant family does Limonium sventenii belong to?
Limonium sventenii is in the Plumbaginaceae family, genus Limonium.
What habitat does Limonium sventenii grow in?
Limonium sventenii grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Limonium brassicifolium
- Limonium californicum — Western marsh-rosemary
- Limonium duriusculum — European sea lavender
- Limonium otolepis — Asian sea lavender
- Limonium perezii — Canarian sea lavender
- Limonium preauxii
- Plumbaginaceae sp. — Leadwort family
- Plumbago auriculata — Cape leadwort
- Plumbago sp. — Leadwort
- Armeria maritima subsp. californica
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.