Spergularia species - Sea Spurrey - (Caryophyllaceae)

With the exception of Sand Spurrey (Spergularia rubra) and Corn Spurrey (Spergularia arvensis) the three other spurries which occur in the UK and Ireland - Greater Sea Spurrey (Spergularia media), Lesser Sea Spurrey (Spergularia marina) and Rock Sea-spurrey (Spergularia rupicola) are all found on the coasts. Sand Spurrey is common throughout the south and west of the UK and Ireland, and Corn Spurrey is widespread and common throughout the whole of the UK and Ireland.

The Sea Spurreys - and there are several very similar species - prefer dry sandy soils and plenty of sunshine. They are members of the Pinks family, as indeed are the campions.

Spurrey

If you walk along the coastal paths of West Wales you will see plenty of these pretty summer flowers. They also grow in dry stone walls in some parts of Wales.

The Sea Spurrey in this picture was found on the Pembrokeshire Coastal path near Ceibwr Bay in Wales in June.