Beyond the shifting shingle and sheer cliffs, Sidmouth’s coastal fringe is home to a variety of highly specialised plants. These species are more than just greenery; they are biological wonders with unique historical, medicinal, and ecological roles.

1. The Ancient Immigrant: Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum)

Often found lining pathways, this Mediterranean native has naturalised across the British Isles.

• Appearance: It grows up to 1.5 meters tall with glossy green leaves and a distinct aroma reminiscent of celery.

• Historical Use: Cherished for centuries, its young leaves, stems, and flower buds were used by Romans in soups and stews.

• Ecological Role: Its yellow flower clusters provide a vital early-season food source for bees and butterflies.

2. Pioneers of the Rock and Wall

These species find life in the harshest "vertical" and disturbed niches.

Pellitory of the Wall (Parietaria judaica)

• Survival: A member of the nettle family that thrives on urban walls and rocky cliffs.

• Benefit: It acts as a pioneer species, colonizing barren surfaces and providing food for pollinators.

Rock Samphire (Crithmum maritimum)

• Appearance: A perennial herb with succulent, fleshy leaves that looks like a miniature shrub.

• Survival: It is remarkably tolerant of salt spray and nutrient-poor soil, often growing on inaccessible cliff ledges.

Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica)

• Maritime History: High in vitamin C, it was once used by sailors to treat scurvy during long voyages.

• Modern Habitats: Due to its salt tolerance, it is now frequently found along roadsides treated with winter salt gritting.

3. Resilience in the Rosettes

These low-growing plants use specialized leaf patterns to survive extreme exposure.

• Buckshorn Plantain: Features a rosette of leaves shaped like a buck's antlers. Its deep taproot breaks up compacted soil and improves drainage.

• Bristly Oxtongue: Defined by lance-shaped leaves covered in coarse, bristly hairs. Despite being considered a weed, it is essential for soil stabilization.

• Sea Campion: Known as "Maiden's Tears," this plant forms cushions of grey-green leaves with star-shaped white flowers. Its succulent leaves help it conserve moisture in salty air.