Photographs: Barleycove, Co. Cork

Sea Sandwort Honckenya peploides Gaineamhlus mara Family: Caryophyllaceae Flowering time: May-August. Perennial. Native. Tiny greenish-white 5-petalled flowers are followed by round seeds. The opposite pairs of oval succulent leaves are pointed and un-stalked. A hairless, mat-forming plant with creeping underground stolons which can help stabilise dune systems. Height: 4-15cm Coastal on shingle and sand and an important pioneer plant of fore-dunes.

Sea Sandwort, Honckenya peploides, Gaineamhlus mara