Drosanthemum floribundum

Stems prostrate, mat-forming, rooting at older nodes; inter-nodes 1-3 cm, thin, tough. Leaves: blade cylindric, slightly thickened apically, 1.2-1.4 × 0.25 cm. Inflorescences: flowers usually solitary; pedicel 20-30 mm. Flowers (1-)3, on lateral short shoots, fragrant, 1.8(-2.5) cm diam.; calyx lobes linear, 6 × 3 mm, apex obtuse, margins papery; petals 30-40, pink, 1-seriate, [8-]15 × 2 mm, 2-3 times calyx length; staminodia absent; stamens spreading, connate in clusters, 4.5 mm; ovary 5-loculed; stigma lobes 5, plumose, 5 mm. Capsules on erect stalks. Seeds 200, 0.5 mm. 2n = 36.

Flowering spring [year-round]. Coastal habitats; 0-100 m; introduced; Calif.; Europe; Africa.

Drosanthemum floribundum is widely cultivated in southern California. When the plant is in flower, the vegetative portions are often completely covered by a profusion of pink flowers.