common sea-lavender

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mediterranean sea-lavender
• Common Sea-Lavender
• Sea Lavender
• marsh-rosemary
• Mediterranean sea lavender

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Taxanthema limonium
• Limonium behen
• Statice limonium var. puberula
• Statice longidentata
• Statice limonium subsp. behen
• Statice drepanensis
• Limonium vulgare subsp. behen
• Statice limonium
• Statice scanica var. hallandica
• Statice limonium proles longidentata
• Statice pseudolimonium
• Statice scanica
• Limonium commune var. minus
• Limonium commune var. obtusum
• Limonium commune var. serotinum
• Statice limonium var. minor
• Statice limonium var. pseudolimonium
• Limonium vulgare subsp. pseudolimonium
• Statice crouanii
• Statice behen
• Limonium commune

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it is further categorized into the family Plumbaginaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Limonium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is well-documented in Denmark, Great Britain, and Sweden. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can also be found growing within the borders of Belgium. Additionally, it is commonly distributed throughout Germany. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in diverse European landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Limonium vulgare is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions primarily as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil. This species maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage throughout its life cycle rather than shedding it seasonally. As a hemicryptophyte, its survival strategy relies on these protected buds to endure unfavorable environmental conditions, ensuring its continued presence in its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Limonium vulgare is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a parasite, growing independently in its environment. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. The plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.165 m, though its stature can vary significantly, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum height of 0.1 m to a maximum height of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.165 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Limonium vulgare is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on soil-derived nutrients and typical autotrophic mechanisms rather than the capture of prey. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of approximately 26.87833 cm², contributing to its overall canopy structure. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 108.33 cm²/g, a metric that reflects the relationship between its leaf surface area and dry mass, providing insight into its resource acquisition strategies and leaf thickness.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

26.87833 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

108.33 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Limonium vulgare is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that primarily occurs during the warmer months, with flowering beginning in July and extending through October. The plant employs a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While pollination is driven by these insect visitors, self-fertilization is also present within the species. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. The seeds produced are quite small, featuring a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0012475 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00112 g to a maximum of 0.00147 g) and a consistent seed volume of 1.2 mm³. For dispersal, the species utilizes an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction through seed production the primary method for propagation and colonization.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00147 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0012475 g

Seed mass min:

0.00112 g

Seed volume max:

1.2 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Limonium vulgare has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Limonium vulgare has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)