Plumbaginaceae

10 gen., cosmop., on sea shores and in saline areas

Limonium Mill.

7 species in Aust.; (2 endemic, 5 naturalized); all states and territories

Limonium australe (R.Br.) Kuntze

Perennial, glabrous herb. Leaves obovate-oblong, entire, 3–8 cm long, narrowed into a petiole; stipules absent. Scape 25–50 cm high, repeatedly forked to form a broad corymbose panicle. Flowers numerous, in short dense unilateral spikes, consisting of 2–3-flowered clusters. Calyx usually funnel-shaped, dry, membranous, ciliate, pale pink, 5-lobed, persistent. Petals 5, yellow, c. as long as the calyx. Stamens 5. Ovary unilocular, superior. Fruit a nut within the persistent calyx. Coast near salt marshes, e.g. near Kiama. Fl. summer. Native Sea Lavender