Palmer’s frankenia Palmer’s frankenia

Shrubs, spreading, rounded, 1–3 dm; branches puberulous or scattered-hairy, hairs spreading to recurved. Leaves: petiole (0.2–)0.3–1 mm, not tapering toward blade, apex abruptly and markedly wider than base of blade; blade grayish yellow-green, oblong-ovate, oblong, or linear-oblong, subterete, 1.5–7 × 0.7–1 mm, margins tightly revolute, abaxial surface almost entirely concealed, adaxial surface scattered short-hairy to puberulous. Inflorescences usually compound or simple dichasia, sometimes solitary flowers. Flowers: calyx 3–5 mm, lobes (4–)5, 0.5–1.1 mm; petals (4 or)5, white, sometimes pink-tinged proximally, spatulate, (4.5–)5–7 mm; stamens 4(or 5), exserted, (4–)5–8.5 mm; anthers red or yellowish pink; style strongly exserted from calyx tube, 2(–3)-branched; ovary 2-carpellate; ovules 2, attached to bases of sutures, pendulous on recurving funiculi. Seeds 1 per capsule, ovoid-conic, 1.5–2 mm.

Flowering Mar–Jul. Coastal dunes, upper transitional zone of coastal salt marshes, sandy flats; 0–10 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora).

In the flora area, Frankenia palmeri occurs in southwestern San Diego County.