Lysimachia maritima
Sea milkwort, Sea Milkwort
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Family: Myrsinaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lysimachia maritima (Sea milkwort) is a native California herb in the Myrsinaceae family, recognized by key features: salt marsh habitat, fleshy stems, no petals (only colorful sepals).
Sea milkwort is a California native perennial found in coastal bioregions including northern California coast, central California coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Sierra Nevada east of crest, and northeastern California in coastal salt marshes and saline meadows at elevations below 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white, pink, red, or lavender flowers approximately 3 to 4 millimeters long, with calyx lobes that are more prominent than the flower tube. Growing with prostrate to erect fleshy stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms dense tufted clusters. Its leaves are opposite or alternate toward the stem's upper portion, with linear to oblong blades 4 to 20 millimeters long and no distinct petiole. The fruit is a small 5-valved capsule that remains partially hidden within the calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features: salt marsh habitat, fleshy stems, no petals (only colorful sepals)
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal salt marshes, saline meadows
Elevation: < 2100 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo
Outside California: to British Columbia, Minnesota, eastern coast United States, Eurasia
Bloom period
Lysimachia maritima blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Modiola: Lysimachia has stamens opposite petals; Modiola has stamens fused in a central column.; vs Euphorbia: Lysimachia has true petals; spurge has petal-like bracts around flower clusters and milky sap.; vs Honckenya: Lysimachia has stamens opposite petals; sandwort has stamens alternating with petals.; vs Erythranthe: Lysimachia has radially symmetric flowers; monkeyflower has bilateral tubular flowers.; vs Veronica: Lysimachia has 5 petals and stamens opposite petals; speedwell has 4 petals and 2 stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lysimachia maritima native to California?
Yes. Lysimachia maritima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lysimachia maritima bloom?
Lysimachia maritima blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Lysimachia maritima grow?
Lysimachia maritima occurs in San Luis Obispo, at elevations of < 2100 m.
What plant family does Lysimachia maritima belong to?
Lysimachia maritima is in the Myrsinaceae family, genus Lysimachia.
What habitat does Lysimachia maritima grow in?
Lysimachia maritima grows in Coastal salt marshes, saline meadows.
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.