Colonisation of the Ribble Estuary by Sea-lavenders

摘要

On 11th August 2008, Limonium vulgare (Common Sea-lavender) and L. humile (Lax-flowered Sea-lavender) were identified by PHS on a salt-marsh at Marshside, Southport, which lies on the south shore of the Ribble Estuary (SD346194; v.c.59: South Lancashire) (see photo, Colour Section Plate 3). The nationally scarce L. humile is a new vice-county record, while L. vulgare has not been confirmed in South Lancashire since the 19th century, that sighting being on the Mersey Estuary (Savidge et al. 1963). Three non-flowering rosettes of putative L. vulgare have been photographed on Birkdale Green Beach (SD311154 and SD319164), about 5km southwest of Marshside, in the last two years (PHS & P.S.Gateley), but these have not yet been confidently determined.