Limoniastrum
(from leimon, a meadow, and aster, a star; in allusion to the starry flowers, and the habitat of the plants). SYN. Bubania. ORD. Plumbagineae. A genus comprising only a couple of species of greenhouse or nearly hardy small shrubs or sub-shrubs, natives of the Western Mediterranean region. Calyx tubular; corolla blue, funnel-shaped, with a five-lobed, spreading limb; scapes or peduncles dichotomously branched. Leaves crowded on the stem or alternate on the branches, narrow, entire. The undermentioned plants are nearly hardy shrubs. For culture, see Statice (with which the species are sometimes confused).
L. monopetala (one-petaled). fl. solitary, borne in scaly paniculate spikes; corolla salver-shaped, with a very long curved tube; calyx scarcely enlarging after flowering. July to September. l. linear-spathulate, sheathed at base. Stem leafy. h. 3ft. Sicily, 1731. All the green parts of the plant are covered with white disks of calcareous matter. SYN. Statice monopetala (under which name it is figured in B. R. 1841, 54).
L. m. denudata (naked). A well-marked variety, differing from the type in having paler and smaller flowers, a more drawn-up habit, broader leaves, which are somewhat wavy at the edge, and a much smaller quantity of calcareous matter. SYN. Statice monopetala denudata (under which name it is figured in B. R. 1842, 59).