Flowers of the Ceredigion Coastal Path

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.

Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria  with Thrift

Stonecrop Sedum angelicum

Spring Squill Scilla verna

Bird's Foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus

Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza purpurella

Thrift  Armeria maritima

Mallow Malva silvestris

Lousewort  Pedicularis sylvatica

Buck's Horn Plantain  Plantago coronopus

Sea Campion Silene maritima

Sea Beet  Beta maritima

Sheep's Bit Jasione montana

Samphire Crithmum maritimum All photos © Rod Attrill 2003 Please contact me if you wish to use any photos  from this website - click here for details.