Sea pink

Sea pink (also known as Thrift) is the common name for Armeria maritima, a flowering plant in the family Plumbaginaceae. It is a low-growing, evergreen perennial commonly found in coastal habitats, though it can also occur inland in areas with specific soil conditions such as rocky outcrops or salt marshes.

Description: Sea pink forms dense tufts or cushions of narrow, linear, grass-like leaves. The flowers are small, typically pink (though varieties with white or red flowers exist), and are densely packed into globular flowerheads. These flowerheads are borne on slender stalks rising above the foliage. The plant typically grows to a height of 10-20 cm.

Distribution and Habitat: Armeria maritima has a widespread distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including coastal regions of Europe, North America, and Asia. It is well-adapted to salty conditions (halophyte) and can tolerate drought and poor soils. It is frequently found growing on cliffs, dunes, and salt marshes.

Cultivation: Sea pink is often cultivated as a garden ornamental due to its attractive flowers and tolerance of difficult conditions. It is relatively easy to grow in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Several cultivars have been developed with variations in flower color and plant size.

Uses: Sea pink is primarily grown as an ornamental plant. It can be used in rock gardens, borders, and as a ground cover. It is also sometimes used in green roofs and other sustainable landscaping applications. Although traditionally it has had some limited medicinal uses in herbal remedies, these are not widely recognized or recommended in modern medicine.

Conservation: Armeria maritima is generally not considered to be threatened, although localized populations may be vulnerable due to habitat loss or degradation.