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Annual Sea-blite

Annual Sea-blite Suaeda maritima (Chenopodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50cm

Much-branched annual of saltmarshes. Forms small clumps that vary from yellowish green to reddish. FLOWERS Tiny, green; 1–3 appearing in axils of upper leaves (Aug–Oct). FRUITS Producing dark, flattish seeds. LEAVES Succulent, cylindrical, pointed. STATUS Widespread and locally common on all suitable coasts.

Shrubby Sea-blite

Shrubby Sea-blite Suaeda vera (Chenopodiaceae) HEIGHT to 1m

Much-branched, evergreen perennial with woody stems. Restricted to coastal shingle and upper saltmarshes. FLOWERS Tiny, yellowish green; 1–3 appearing in leaf axils (June–Oct). FRUITS Producing rounded, black seeds. LEAVES Succulent, bluish green, blunt and almost semicircular in cross-section. STATUS Locally common in SE England.

Thyme-leaved Sandwort

Thyme-leaved Sandwort Arenaria serpyllifolia (Caryophyllaceae) USUALLY PROSTRATE

Downy, grey-green annual of dry, bare soils. FLOWERS White, 5-petalled, 5–7mm across (May–Sep); green sepals shorter than petals. FRUITS Pear-shaped. LEAVES Oval; in opposite pairs on slender stems. STATUS Widespread and common.

Three-nerved Sandwort

Three-nerved Sandwort

Three-nerved Sandwort Moehringia trinervia (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHT to 40cm

Straggly, downy annual of undisturbed woodlands. FLOWERS White, 5-petalled, 5–6mm across; on long stalks (Apr–July). White-margined green sepals are twice as long as the petals. FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Ovate, with 3–5 obvious veins beneath. STATUS Widespread and locally common.

Spring Sandwort

Spring Sandwort Minuartia verna (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHT to 10cm

Slightly downy perennial that is characteristic of bare limestone soils or spoil from lead-mines. FLOWERS White, 5-petalled, 7–9mm across (May–Sep). Green sepals shorter than petals. FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, 3-veined; in whorls on slender stems. STATUS Local and extremely habitat-specific.

Cyphel

Cyphel Minuartia sedoides (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHT to 3cm

Distinctive, cushion-forming perennial of damp, stony ground on mountain tops. FLOWERS Yellow, 4mm across; lacking petals (June–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, fleshy, densely packed. STATUS Restricted to mountains in the Scottish Highlands and a few Scottish islands.

Sea Sandwort

Sea Sandwort Honckenya peploides (Caryophyllaceae) PROSTRATE

Mat-forming perennial that is familiar on stabilised coastal shingle and sandy beaches. FLOWERS Greenish white, 6–8mm across (May–Aug). Petals slightly shorter than sepals. FRUITS Yellowish green, pea-like. LEAVES Oval, fleshy; in opposite pairs on creeping stems. STATUS Locally common around coasts.

Greater Stitchwort

Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHT to 50cm

Familiar perennial of open woodland, woodland rides and hedgerows. Note rough-edged stems. FLOWERS White, with 5 notched petals; on slender stems (Apr–June). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, fresh green, rough-edged and grass-like; easily overlooked in the absence of flowers. STATUS Widespread and common.

Marsh Stitchwort

Marsh Stitchwort Stellaria palustris (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHT to 60cm

Rather straggly perennial of fens and marshes. Similar to Greater Stitchwort but with smooth stems and smooth-edged leaves. FLOWERS White, 12–20mm across, with 5 deeply notched petals (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Grey-green, narrow. STATUS Extremely local.

See also Arctic Sandwort