164 FLOWERS OF THE SEA-COAST 



3. Cakiletum, with Cakile maritima, Salsola Kali, Arenaria peploides, and 



Crambe, Convolvulus Soldanella. 



4. Triticetum, with Triticum junceuin, Elymus arenarius, Ammophila arun- 



dinacea, Festuca arenaria, Plantago Coronopus. 



These are succeeded inland by a zone of Tamarisk, Hippophae, 

 Sand Sedge, Furze, &c., the first forming Tamarisk bushland in 

 S. Europe. 



Amongst clay-loving halophytes we have Zostera marina, which 

 forms a zonal association called Zosteretum, followed by Salicornia 

 above low-water mark. 



Then comes Salt meadow land, with Sea Manna Grass, Sea Plan- 

 tain, Sea Milkwort, Sea Lavender, Scurvy Grass. 



The higher littoral meadows farther inland are made up of such 

 plants as Sea Plantain, Sea Milkwort, Thrift, Centaury. 



In salt swamps Common Sea Rush and Sea Club Rush are found. 

 Amongst these maritime plants none is more beautiful than the 

 gorgeous Yellow Horned Poppy, whose bluish- white foliage and rich 

 yellow blooms followed by the long seed-vessel are a feature of every 

 beach. Woad on the cliffs at Tewkesbury (much inland) is also found 

 to grow luxuriantly at Wisbech, and having glaucous foliage it has a 

 character in common with other truly maritime plants. Sea Campion 

 with its cream -white flowers is of interest, because it is one of the 

 few Caryophyllaceae found along the coast. 



Sea Kale, Sea Rocket, and Sea Holly all have foliage which adapts 

 them to the coastal requirements. Thrift forms beautiful cushions on 

 the rocks in Wales, on the coast as well as inland in the Highlands. 

 Sea Lavender grows on rocks and on mud, forming a pleasing con- 

 trast, with its filmy flowerheads, to the more solid panicles of bloom 

 of Thrift and Horned Poppy. 



The pink flowers of Tamarisk along the sandhills give one an idea 

 that the plant is an introduction upon our coast, as is usually agreed. 



The delicate flowers of Sea Milkwort are very beautiful objects 

 seen with a hand lens. The pink blooms of Centaury are not con- 

 fined to the sea-coast, for it is also found inland. The Seaside Bind- 

 weed is perhaps prettier than our common form inland. Sea Plantain 

 also grows on highland elevations inland. Saltwort is diminutive, 

 interesting from its former use in making barilla. Sea Buckthorn, a 

 feature of the east coast, forms dense bushes which are as spinose as, 

 or more so than, a blackthorn hedge. Common Sea Rush, Sea Club 

 Rush, Sand Sedge are all typical maritime grasslike plants, and 

 Marram Grass, Rushy Wheat Grass, Lyme Grass help materially 



