Crambe maritima - Sea-kale - (Brassicaceae)

This coastal plant is becoming increasingly scarce, but is still found in parts of the UK and Ireland as well as on the coasts of many northern European countries.

Sea-kale

Sea-kale growing in shingle in North Wales

These perennial plants are very robust and form large domed clumps on the sand and shingle of beaches. The flowers have four white petals and appear in clusters from June until August. The seed pods are large and oval in shape with wavy margins.

The plant on this page was photographed in North Wales at Cemaes Bay Nature Reserve in Anglesey in August.