Limonium acuminatum L.Bolus

Tufted perennial. Leaves spathulate, up to 3 cm long and 7 mm broad, glabrous, drying thin, tapering into the stem-clasping base. Scapes prostrate or decumbent, 20-40 cm long, slender, often flexuous, with copious sterile branchlets along their length and only the terminal ones bearing short spikes, with the 3-7 spikelets distichous and imbricate, with tufts of spreading hairs throughout; bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 2-4 mm long, progressively less acuminate. Spikelets 1-2-, rarely 3-flowered; bracts 6 mm long, acuminate, with membranous margin and with tufts of hairs on back, the inner bracteoles membranous, glabrous. Calyx 6-8 mm long, reddish, pubescent below and often almost to the end of the ribs; limb with 5 narrowly lanceolate lobes 2.5-3 mm long. Petals spathulate, 9 mm long, 2-lobed at apex, lilac. Stamens shorter than the petals, with the anthers divided up to about the middle. Ovary 5-angled with 5 free styles and minutely capitate stigmas.