Identification:
Flowers
in June on the shingle of Shoreham Beach, its only location in the British
Isles. This small naturalised ground plant has been known from this area
for two centuries (discovered in 1804).
Another
pic, by David Wood.
Unto
the Hills
The
History and Wildlife of the South Downs
by
Patrick Coulcher
(Foreword
by Denis Healey)
ISBN
1-85776 - 586 - 9
Extract
from the chapter "The Adur to the Arun"
The
Starry
Clover is the real gem of this important site. This clover has short
stems and soft hairy leaves and the small white flowers which bloom in
May and June are held together in rounded heads and each is surrounded
by a crimson star-shaped calyx.
When in fruit the flower heads with their white soft hairs, look even more
like clusters of stars against the backdrop of beach pebbles. The whole
plant is prostrate and forms large mats on the upper beach. Starry Clover
has been known on this site since early in the nineteenth century and is
believed to have entered Shoreham Harbour in the ballast of ships returning
from the Mediterranean. If you have not seen this plant before it may take
you some time to spot it for the first time, but once you have 'got your
eye in' you should easily find the places where it grows.
3 June
2018
29
May 2016
Trifolium
scabrum
Trifolium
stellatum
1 June
2014
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Flowers
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Calyx
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Similar species:
Reproduction:
Habitat:
Shoreham
Beach only. On shingle near the Old Fort.
Previously
known from Dartford, Tilbury, Clacton, Harlow Mills (Essex).
Range:
Additional
Notes:
A
desert plant, that has been killed in large numbers by flooding by fresh
water, when the small plant has invaded gardens from the shingle, either
deliberately or accidentally.
1 July
2010
A
small Field Grasshopper
hopped amongst amongst the late flowering
patch of Starry Clover
near the Old Fort.
7 June
2010
I
stumbled over a small patch of Starry Clover
in flower on a south-facing bank near
the Old Fort car park.
July
2007
I
have discovered Starry Clover
growing in my garden at 58 Riverside Road, Shoreham Beach. I know it used
to grow at my mother's house at 49 Riverside Road but it was killed off
by flooding river water. Other nearby locations have been "developed".
Information wanted:
Please
send any records of this plant, with location, date, who discovered it,
how it was identified, prevalence, common name and any other details to
Shorewatch
Project EMail Glaucus@hotmail.com.
All messages will receive
a reply.
Seashore
Page
Shingle
Coast (Coastal Fringe of Shoreham Beach)
Shoreham-by-Sea
Page
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