Alkali Seaheath
(Frankenia salina)
Alkali Seaheath (Frankenia salina)
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Michael Warner
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Michael Warner
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Michael Warner | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Michael Warner | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-06-22T14:04:24-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Frankenia salina, commonly known as Alkali Seaheath, is a semi-deciduous subshrub native to coastal salt marshes, alkaline flats, and saline grasslands in California, Nevada, and Northwest Mexico. It typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters) and spreads 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters) wide, forming dense, twiggy thickets. The plant’s ability to excrete salt through its leaves is an adaptation to its saline habitat, making it a valuable halophyte. Alkali Seaheath blooms from spring to fall, producing small, showy pink or fuchsia flowers that attract pollinators.
Alkali Seaheath is valued for its tolerance to high salinity and its use in habitat restoration projects, especially in areas with saline soils. It is also used in ornamental plantings for its attractive flowers and as ground cover in coastal gardens. This subshrub requires full sun to part shade and can handle high amounts of water, thriving in soils with medium to fast drainage. While it is generally low maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Alkali Seaheath is valued for its tolerance to high salinity and its use in habitat restoration projects, especially in areas with saline soils. It is also used in ornamental plantings for its attractive flowers and as ground cover in coastal gardens. This subshrub requires full sun to part shade and can handle high amounts of water, thriving in soils with medium to fast drainage. While it is generally low maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Subshrub
- Height: 0.5-1 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Semi-Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Coastal salt marshes, alkaline flats, and saline grasslands
Other Names
Common Names: Alkali-Heath
Scientific Names: , Frankenia salina, Frankenia grandifolia, Frankenia grandifolia var. campestris, Frankenia berteroana, Frankenia micrantha, Frankenia grandifolia subsp. campestris, Franca grandifolia, Frankenia campestris, Frankenia salina var. micrantha
GBIF Accepted Name: Frankenia salina I.M.Johnst.