Frankenia

Branches (except in F. pulverulenta) differentiated into long- and short-shoots; leaves on short-shoots usually crowded, all leaves often encrusted or dotted with salt, giving a greyish hue. Flowers each subtended by a whorl of 4 leaf-like bracts, fused at base. Calyx 4–6-lobed, the margins usually ciliate; petals 4–6, spathulate, clawed or sometimes ribbon-like; stamens (in Victoria) 4–7; style-branches usually 3, ovary of 3 carpels, ovules 1–many per placenta, often crowded.