Also known as sea heath, this genus has around 73 herbaceous plants, shrubs and subshrubs from temperate and subtropical climates. Some species from this genus are popular ornamental plants and growth tends to be clumping. They are tolerant of salt and drought conditions and possess foliage similar to heathers, reduced to needle-like scales and capable of excreting salt through specialised glands. They produce delicate pink or white flowers, sometimes purple, with between 4-7 overlapping petals.