leadwort [key], common name for the Plumbaginaceae, a family of perennial herbs and shrubs usually found in semiarid regions, especially of the Mediterranean area and Central Asia. Several species—e.g., thrift (genus Armeria), prickly thrift (genus Acantholimon), sea lavender (genus Limonium), and plumbago, or leadwort (genus Plumbago)—are cultivated in gardens for their papery globe-shaped flowers of various colors, which are also used in everlasting bouquets. The common thrift, or sea pink, is Armeria maritima. The leadwort family is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Plumbaginales.
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