Native Plants
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Glaux maritima
Glaux maritima L.
Sea Milkwort, Sea-milkwort
Primulaceae (Primrose Family)
Synonym(s): Glaux maritima ssp. obtusifolia, Glaux maritima var. angustifolia, Glaux maritima var. macrophylla, Glaux maritima var. obtusifolia
USDA Symbol: GLMA
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
A low, fleshy, saltmarsh plant with opposite, oval leaves and tiny, white, pink, lavender, or crimson flowers rising from leaf axils.
This low, often spreading plant is associated with salt marshes. Although its stalkless flowers are not very showy, its habit and opposite, succulent leaves help identify the species. It is much more widely distributed in western North America, from Alaska to northern Canada and south to California and Colorado.
From the Image Gallery
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems prostrate, decumbent, or ascending to erect, up to about 16 inches long.
Leaf: Green.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , CO , ID , MA , MD , ME , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NV , NY , OR , RI , UT , VA , WA , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , NU , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Alberta east to Newfoundland and south to Massachusetts; also in Virginia, Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, and throughout the West.
Native Habitat: Seashores and borders of salt marshes.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesWeb Reference
Webref 62 - Burke Herbarium Image Collection (2020) University of WashingtonWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Glaux maritima in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Glaux maritima in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Glaux maritima
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-03Research By: TWC Staff