WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Widespread but local along coasts throughout the UK but mainly in North West Scotland. Habitat includes: saltmarshes, coastal shingle, muddy beaches, banks, low cliffs, tidally inundated dune-slacks, coastal grazing saltmarsh ditches, salted roadside verges etc. Growing Habit: Perennial. Height: Up to 40 cm at most. Flowers: June to September. ID: pale pink-mauve 5-petalled flowers (7 - 12 mm across) which have white centres and 10 stamens. Lesser Sea-Spurrey (Spergularia marina) only has up to 7. Greater Sea-spurrey also has shorter sepals than petals. The leaves are opposite and linear with short points. Other names include: Media Sandspurry.