Coastal plants in Ceredigion -
especially those on the sea cliffs and on the thin soils above are in many
ways much like Alpine plants. They are often exposed to strong winds so they
tend to be small
and ground hugging. They must also be able to tolerate the
often considerable salt spray. Many of them
are tiny gems - easily missed
unless you look carefully. Some of the larger plants, fleshy and thick-leaved
are found on shingle banks and dunes close to the beach. They are all salt
tolerant, have wide root systems to catch the rain which rapidly drains away, and thick leaves and stems for
water storage.