Frankenia pauciflora is a shrub in the Frankeniaceae

Frankeniaceae

Frankeniaceae is the botanical name for a family of flowering plants. Such a family has been widely recognized by many taxonomists; it has commonly been assumed to be closely related to family Tamaricaceae....

 family, native to southern Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

.

It can be prostrate or may grow up to 0.5 metres in height. Pink or white flowers are produced between June and February in its native range. It occurs in saline flats, salt marshes or in coastal limestone areas.

Varieties

There are currently 4 recognised varieties:

• var. fruticulosa (DC.) Summerh.
• var. gunnii Summerh.
• var. longifolia Summerh.
• var. pauciflora DC.

Distribution

The species occurs in Western Australia

Western Australia

Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...

, South Australia

South Australia

South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...

, Victoria

Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....

 and
Tasmania

Tasmania

Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...

 where it is represented by the variety Frankenia pauciflora var. gunnii which only grows on Flinders

Flinders Island

Flinders Island may refer to:In Australia:* Flinders Island , in the Furneaux Group, is the largest and best known* Flinders Island * Flinders Island , in the Investigator Group* Flinders Island...

, Short and Harcus Islands.