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seaheath
Scientific Name: Frankenia
Family: Frankeniaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Sea Heath: A Botanical Overview
The term "sea heath" encompasses several plants within the Frankenia genus, belonging to the Frankeniaceae family. These plants are often found in coastal or saline environments.
Common and Scientific Names
- Common Names: Sea heath, Common sea-heath, Alkali heath, Alkali seaheath, Thyme seaheath, James' seaheath, Atlantic sea-heath, Hairy Sea Heath, Prickly/Bristly Sea Heath, Smooth Sea-Heath
- Scientific Names: Frankenia (genus), Frankenia pauciflora, Frankenia laevis, Frankenia salina, Frankenia thymifolia, Frankenia pulverulenta, Frankenia hirsuta, Frankenia serpyllifolia, Frankenia crispa, Frankenia jamesii
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Frankeniaceae
- Kingdom: (Implied: Plantae, based on the provided text)
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
- Sea heaths are found in various regions, including:
- Southern Australia (Frankenia pauciflora)
- Eurasian salt marshes (Frankenia laevis)
- Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa (general European sea-heath)
- California, Nevada, and Mexico (Frankenia salina)
- New South Wales and South Australia
- Canary Islands, Spain
- They are mainly plants of desert and coastal habitats.
- Specifically, Frankenia laevis is found at the upper level of saltmarshes.
Morphological Characteristics
- Sea heaths are generally low-growing perennial plants.
- Frankenia laevis is described as a small, tough perennial plant with minute leaves and pink flowers, and also as a small woody creeping plant.
- Some species, like Frankenia serpyllifolia, may be prickly or bristly.
Quirky Facts
- One source mentions actively searching for Frankenia laevis for years, highlighting its appeal to plant enthusiasts.
- Frankenia laevis flowers have 5 pink slightly crenate petals and 6 stamens, with a 3-lobed stigma and exhibit protandry (withered stamens at a certain stage).
Further Information
- Dictionary.com and Collins English Dictionary are mentioned as sources for definitions.
- NBNSYS0000002982 is given as a Taxon Reference for Frankenia laevis L.