Limonium agg.
Ecology and Distribution
Rock sea-lavenders
are found on rocks and sea cliffs as well as occasionally on dune-slacks, shingle and salt-marshes. Currently
this aggregate group is described as nine closely related species with a series of sub-species and varieties
associated with them.
However, recent genetic research and re-analysis of old data using new techniques
has shown that there are fewer individual sub species than previously thought. The rock sea-lavenders
can in fact be combined into three main groups.
This new approach to the taxonomy of the species would mean that it is not nationally
scarce, and it is not showing the population declines previously feared (although it may be at a local
level).
Threats
General threats include habitat loss
through coastal defence construction, climate change and associated sea-level rise and trampling by
rock climbers and tourists.
Current work
- Genetic work, funded by English Nature, and carried out by the Royal Botanic
Gardens in Kew, continues to aid the identification and classification of this species and results will
be published soon.
- A project to compile illustrations of the various morphological forms of
rock sea-lavenders of Britain and Ireland, by Fred Rumsey, is also being completed to aid identification
in the field.
Contacts
- David Bullock – The National Trust, Head of Nature Conservation, Swindon
- David Pearman – BSBI, Dorchester
- Simon Leach – English Nature, Taunton
- Andy Jones – CCW, Aberystwyth
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