Sandwich Bay, Kent - 18/08/20
This venue on the east coast of Kent is at its best in early Summer, with several very rare plant species to be found there, along with the largest Lizard Orchid colony in the UK. However, it was now mid July with Summer well and truly arrived with the earlier species mentioned all now died off, so it would be interesting to see what I might find. I hoped to find Yellow Bartsia, having failed to find it at several other Kent sites this year. Records showed it present here in the past. As I set off, I noticed that the Sea Holly was now in flower. It is common here and present all along the shingle where it starts to join with some topsoil. Eryngium maritimum Large stands of the yellow flowered Wild Fennel brightened up the upper beach and road areas. The first photo below shows its fine feathery leaves which seperates it from Wild Parsnip which has very similar (and same coloured) flowers. Of course, in case you forget you can crush a leaf of either plant and it will either smell of