Limonium recurvum ssp. portlandicum - Portland Sea-lavender - (Plumbaginaceae)

Portland Sea-lavender is another extremely rare plant in the UK and is now protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Portland Sea-lavender

Portland Sea-lavender in the background, hiding behind
Rock Samphire (Crithmum maritimum).
Picture by kind permission of Anne Horsfall

The cliffs of the Isle of Portland in Dorset are both internationally important for their geological interest and are also home to a rich limestone flora. The occurence of Portland Sea-lavender is entirely restricted to these cliffs where is it still easy to find.

Portland Sea-lavender is a member of the Plumbaginaceae family and has pinkish-lilac flowers which resemble those of Rock Sea-lavender, but differ in that they are borne in a dense, curved spray. The plant flowers from July to August.