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Thrift seapink (28)
Gert-Paassen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 395 W: 0 N: 1592]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (5201) | Latin name - Armeria maritima.
Armeria maritima is the botanical name for a species of flowering plant.
It is a popular garden flower, known by several common names, including "thrift", "sea thrift", and "sea pink". The plant has been distributed worldwide as a garden and cut flower. It does well in gardens designed as xeriscapes or rock gardens.
It is a compact perennial which grows in low clumps and sends up long stems from which globes of bright pink flowers blossom. In some cases purple, white or red flowers also occur.
The plant can be found in the wild in coastal areas across the Northern Hemisphere, especially in Europe. It is a common sight in British marshes. It can grow in dry, sandy, saline conditions such as those at beaches and salt marshes.
Armeria maritima has a great copper-tolerance, and is able to grow in soils with copper concentrations of up to 6400 mg/kg. One mechanism proposed is that not much copper is transported up the shoot of the plant, and is excreted from decaying leaves.
There are several subspecies
Range W. Europe, including Britain, from Iceland to N. Spain.
Habitat Coastal salt marshes, pastures and maritime cliffs. Dry, sandy, somewhat acidic soils in sandy turf, coastal salt marshes, cliffs and mountain pastures.
An evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1m by 0.15m at a slow rate.
It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). It is noted for attracting wildlife.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Medicinal Uses
Sea thrift is rarely used in herbal medicine, though the dried flowering plant is antibiotic and has been used in the treatment of obesity, some nervous disorders and urinary infections. It cannot be used externally as an antibiotic poultice because it can cause dermatitis or local irritation. |
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