Rock sea-lavenders (endemic)  (Limonium spp)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

In 1986 the taxonomy of the rock sea-lavenders was revised (8), nine species are now recognised, along with a large number of subspecies(4). However, the species are notoriously difficult to tell apart (4). Although there is some geographical separation of the various species and subspecies, this is by no means an accurate or reliable method of distinguishing between them (4). Indeed, there are a number of 'hot spot' areas where one can find several species or sub-species growing together (e.g. on the Carboniferous limestone of south Pembrokeshire, the cliffs of Quaternary head deposits of south Devon, and the chalk and limestone cliffs of Dorset). Rock-sea lavenders are perennial, and reproduce asexually through a process known as 'apomixis'. Flowers are produced from June to September (7).

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