Paul Sterry - British Wild Flowers - A photographic guide to every common species

Sea Purslane Atriplex portulacoides HEIGHTto 1m

Spreading, mealy perennial that sometimes forms rounded clumps. Entirely coastal, and restricted to the drier reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERSYellowish, in spikes (July–Oct). FRUITSLobed. LEAVESGrey-green, oval at the base but narrow further up the stem. STATUSWidespread and locally common.

Common Glasswort

Common Glasswort Salicornia europaea HEIGHTto 30cm

Fleshy, yellowish-green annual; fancifully recalls a tiny cactus. Often appears segmented. Entirely coastal. A classic saltmarsh plant that tolerates tidal immersion in sea water. FLOWERSTiny; appearing at stem junctions, of equal size and in 3s (Aug–Sep). FRUITSMinute seeds. LEAVESSmall, paired, fleshy. STATUSLocally abundant.

Perennial Glasswort flowers

Perennial Glasswort

Perennial Glasswort Sarcocornia perennis HEIGHTto 30cm

Branched and patch-forming succulent perennial with woody lower stems that turn orange with age. Entirely coastal; restricted to drier reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERSSmall, yellow, appearing at stem junctions, in 3s, the central one largest (Aug–Oct). FRUITSMinute. LEAVESSmall, paired, fleshy. STATUSLocal in S and E England, and S Wales.

Prickly Saltwort flowers

Prickly Saltwort

Prickly Saltwort Salsola kali HEIGHTto 50cm

Spiky-looking, prickly annual that is typical of sandy beaches, usually growing near the strandline. Occasionally found beside regularly salted roads inland. FLOWERSTiny, yellowish; appearing at leaf bases (July–Oct). FRUITSSimilar to flowers. LEAVES Swollen, flattened-cylindrical, spiny-tipped . STATUSLocally common.

Annual Sea-blite

Annual Sea-blite Suaeda maritima (Chenopodiaceae) HEIGHTto 50cm

Much-branched annual of saltmarshes. Forms small clumps that vary from yellowish green to reddish. FLOWERSTiny, green; 1–3 appearing in axils of upper leaves (Aug–Oct). FRUITSProducing dark, flattish seeds. LEAVESSucculent, cylindrical , pointed . STATUSWidespread and locally common on all suitable coasts.

Shrubby Sea-blite

Shrubby Sea-blite Suaeda vera (Chenopodiaceae) HEIGHTto 1m

Much-branched, evergreen perennial with woody stems. Restricted to coastal shingle and upper saltmarshes. FLOWERSTiny, yellowish green; 1–3 appearing in leaf axils (June–Oct). FRUITSProducing rounded, black seeds. LEAVESSucculent, bluish green, blunt and almost semicircular in cross-section . STATUSLocally common in SE England.

Thyme-leaved Sandwort

Thyme-leaved Sandwort Arenaria serpyllifolia (Caryophyllaceae) USUALLY PROSTRATE

Downy, grey-green annual of dry, bare soils. FLOWERSWhite, 5-petalled, 5–7mm across (May–Sep); green sepals shorter than petals. FRUITSPear-shaped. LEAVESOval; in opposite pairs on slender stems. STATUSWidespread and common.

Three-nerved Sandwort

Three-nerved Sandwort

Three-nerved Sandwort Moehringia trinervia (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHTto 40cm

Straggly, downy annual of undisturbed woodlands. FLOWERSWhite, 5-petalled, 5–6mm across; on long stalks (Apr–July). White-margined green sepals are twice as long as the petals. FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESOvate, with 3–5 obvious veins beneath . STATUSWidespread and locally common.

Spring Sandwort

Spring Sandwort Minuartia verna (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHTto 10cm

Slightly downy perennial that is characteristic of bare limestone soils or spoil from lead-mines. FLOWERSWhite, 5-petalled, 7–9mm across (May–Sep). Green sepals shorter than petals. FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESNarrow, 3-veined; in whorls on slender stems. STATUSLocal and extremely habitat-specific.

Cyphel

Cyphel Minuartia sedoides (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHTto 3cm

Distinctive, cushion-forming perennial of damp, stony ground on mountain tops. FLOWERSYellow, 4mm across; lacking petals (June–Aug). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESNarrow, fleshy, densely packed. STATUSRestricted to mountains in the Scottish Highlands and a few Scottish islands.