Wild Wednesday - Sea kale
Have you spotted this striking coastal plant growing along our shingle beaches?
This week's Wild Wednesday star is sea kale, scientific name, Crambe maritima, a beautiful native plant that thrives in some of the toughest conditions our coastline can offer. With its large, wavy-edged, powdery blue-green leaves and masses of delicate white flowers in early summer, sea kale is one of the Sussex coast's most distinctive wild plants.
Sea kale is a halophyte, meaning it is specially adapted to grow in salty environments where many other plants struggle to survive. This hardy perennial (lasting for a very long time or forever), withstands harsh coastal winters, making it perfectly suited to life along the Sussex coast.
Once a common sight above the high tide line on Britain's shingle beaches, sea kale has declined in many areas and is now found in scattered colonies. Fortunately, it can still be seen along parts of the Sussex coastline, including stretches of shingle habitat within the Arun district and neighbouring coastal areas.
Sea kale does more than just brighten up our beaches. Its extensive root system helps to stabilise shingle habitats, while its fragrant white flowers provide an important food source for bees, hoverflies and other pollinating insects. In turn, these pollinators support the wider health and biodiversity of our coastal ecosystems.
Interestingly, nearly every part of the plant is edible, and sea kale was once a prized vegetable in Britain. During the 18th and 19th centuries it was cultivated in Victorian kitchen gardens and even featured on the menus of fashionable restaurants. However, wild plants should be left where they are to support local wildlife and preserve these increasingly valuable coastal habitats for future generations.
So next time you're enjoying a walk along our coastline, keep an eye out for sea kale's distinctive blue-green leaves and clouds of white flowers. It's a wonderful reminder of how wildlife has adapted to flourish in the unique conditions of our shores.