Seasonal Wild Flowers

Portland Sea-lavender

Limonium recurvum subsp. Portlandicum

Plumbaginaceae

July to August

It is a rare plant found only on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, and is

protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

See the BSBI distribution map for Portland Sea-lavender

Itr grows in rocky, limestone habitats such as crumbling cliff-

slopes, quarries and rock ledges.

It is a subspecies of Rock Sea-lavender - first designated a

separate subspecies in 1986.

Portland Sea-lavender is a native, clump-forming, perennial

herb growing up to 30cm.

The flowers are violet-pink, up to 8mm, and in dense, arching

spikes.

Leaves are paddle shaped, green, fleshy, and up to12cm.

The subspecies are difficult to tell apart and their location is a

diagnostic feature.

Portland Sea-lavender on crumbling limestone

Spray of flowers

Closer view of flowers

Spathate leaves

Leaves tinged with orange and purple