Frankenia salina

This native perennial rhizomatous herb, often called alkali heath is uncommon. It is a squat flowering bush that grows to about 1-foot tall forming a twiggy thicket near beaches and salt marshes. Its common name refers to its preference for alkaline soils. It has the ability to excrete salt as an adaptation for living in saline habitats. The small flowers are white to purple-pink or fuchsia in color. In its natural environment, this plant grows in salt marshes in clay loam soil, but also thrives in fresh water and in lighter soils. In the native garden, this plant is a great filler around a pond with its small, but colorful flowers. Native to CA and HI. Can grow in rather salty conditions and will exude salt. Good food source for large migratory waterfowl. It's rhizomatous behavior makes it good for stabilizing marshy areas. No Historical Uses found. Found in salt marshes, beaches, alkali flats along or near the coast. Communitites located in Coastal Strand, Coastal Salt Marsh, Wetland-riparian Between 0 and 2,460 feet.