The Glaven Valley Benefice Norfolk Wildlife Trust North Norfolk Group
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On Thursday 21 February Simon Harrap gave a fascinating illustrated talk entitled ‘Flowers of the Norfolk Coast’. Once again the hall was packed to capacity to hear Simon’s talk. To the novice the strand line at the top of the beach doesn’t jump out at one as being the home to flowers but Simon showed us examples of many including Sea Rocket, an edible crucifer which colonises loose sand, Prickly Saltwort with its fleshy leaves, waxy coat and, of course, prickles, and many types of orache, as well as the Sea Beet, the ancestor of Sugar Beet, with edible leaves.

With the changing shingle bank some plants have been buried but Suaeda (more properly Shrubby Sea-blite) will grow up through the shingle. It is nationally scarce but we are lucky that it grows well in our area. Simon showed us pictures of Sea Campion and Sea-milkwort, the latter flowering in May and June. Another Norfolk speciality is the local subspecies of Rock Sea-lavender, which can be found on compacted sand and shingle at the top of the shingle bank, and the shingle is also home to Yellow Horned-poppy, whose seed pod is in the shape of a horn and is the longest of any British plant.

Saltmarshes hold several different types of plants as some areas get covered daily by the tide for 2 or 3 hours, other areas are covered briefly and yet others perhaps only once or twice a year. Plants in these places trap the sediment and thus build up the land. A common one here is glasswort, better known to us as samphire, which is delicious cooked. Other plants are the Sea-purslane, which grows quite tall with edible leaves, Sea Arrowglass which has tiny flowers and is very common but easily confused with Sea Plantain.

At Blakeney Point you will find the Sea Pea, seeds of which were sown in 1912, and Sea-heath, a Mediterranean plant - this is its most northerly home. Around Titchwell and Holme you will find Matted Sea-lavender, another Mediterranean plant only found in this area of Britain. Of course there are threats to all these species in the form of caravan sites, golf courses and the rise in the sea level, not to mention the encroaching shingle. So do go out and enjoy these plants and the wonderful scenery they are found in.

Simon is publishing a 64 page full-colour book, the 'Flowers of the Nofolk Coast' in June. This is available as a pre-publication offer for £6.99 including postage. Just send a cheque (made out to Simon Harrap) to 1 Norwich Road, Edgefield, Melton Constable, Norfolk, NR24 2RP, and do not forget to include your name and address!