Shingle Ridge Flowers
Yellow Horned-poppy
An iconic plant of the shingle ridge is theYellow Horned-poppy
(Glaucium flavum). Like the shingle ridge, it is a plant of
contrasts. Delicate silky petals on the one hand, but thick
succulent leaves, covered in protective hairs, on the other.
The bright yellow petals signal a source of nectar to bees in
summer. The grey-green leaves indicate a tough waxy covering
which sees the plant through the winter as a neat rosette, keeping
a low-profile amongst the stones.
Research has shown that the plant thrives on moving
stones. Where storms and high seas dramatically shift huge
quantities of shingle, Yellow Horned-poppy multiplies. How
does it do this? The seed pod is one of the longest of any
plant in the UK. Take a close look in late summer, when the
pods have burst open and you may still see the remains of hundreds
of tiny seeds, some of which have been flung across the shingle and
then dispersed by constantly shifting stones.
Sea Campion
Sea Campion (Silene uniflora) has taken seed production one step
further. Its seeds are double-wrapped. A papery
covering surrounds the back of the flower and then the developing
seed capsule, making it more difficult for insects to
penetrate. This way, insects in search of the rich source of
nectar at the base of the flowers have to brush past the anthers,
collecting pollen on their way. This creates the best chance
for pollen to be transferred from one plant to another - the
optimum opportunity for seed production.
Bird's-foot Trefoil
Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) forms a low-growing mat
which spread out like a carpet from the tiny central plant.
Almost unnoticeable as a green carpet, it springs into colour in
early summer, when its oranges, reds and yellows give rise to the
nick-name "Eggs and Bacon". The "bird's-foot" in the common
name refers to seed pods which are thought to be shaped like a
bird's foot.
Sea Kale
Brightly-coloured flowers are usually a mechanism for attracting
insects, looking for food. Sea Kale (Crambe maritima) has been a
source of food over the years for both humans and insects.
Grown in Slapton village gardens as a vegetable, the plant is also
at home in large isolated pioneering clumps at the top of the
beach. It dies down in winter, then re-emerges in spring as a
deep-purple rosette of leaves, which gradually turn to
grey-green.
Viper's Bugloss
Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare)is noticeable for its spikey
height and, from May onwards, its entrancing pink-to-indigo-blue
flowers. The plant has evolved another survival strategy - it
has very long roots, which delve deeply down amongst the shingle to
find moisture and sustenance. In times past, specific plant
characteristics were thought of as "doctrines of signature".
From ancient times to the 17th century, herbalists
thought of Viper's Bugloss as both a preventative and a cure
against snake bites. The speckled stem was thought to
resemble a serpent's skin and the mature seed-head to resemble a
snake's head.
For the 21st century observer, the plant is covered
with tiny protective hairs - regulating heat and preventing water
loss - and its flowers emerge successively, maturing over a long
period. Some may fail if conditions are particularly harsh,
but some will emerge just when conditions are right.
