The White Rock Rose

Limestone loving with delicate white petals and small silvery, downy leaves this exquisite,

nationally rare flower grows at Berry Head (1 of only 2 sites in the UK – the other site is Brean Down in Somerset ). It flowers in April to July and is in the Cistus family (Cistaceae). It is at the northern most edge of its range here in South West England and is really a European species. There are 9 nationally rare plants at Berry Head and nearly 500 species overall. The Devon Flora states ‘ the reason for such a notable collection of plants in such a limited area has been much debated. The generally accepted view is that they represent a collection of late glacial relicts which were able to survive in an area which was probably never covered in forest (after the last ice age finished and woodland covered most of the UK ).

Sources of Info:

"The Devon Flora"

"The Wild Flower Key" - Rose 1981

Goldilocks Aster

Another nationally rare plant at Berry Head. It's vibrant, brush-like, yellow tufted florets are best seen on the seaward side of the path from Berry Head to Sharkham Point in August and September. Its in the large Daisy Family (Compositae) and is related to the Sea Aster and to cultivated Michaelmas Daisies. It is at the northern most edge of its range here in South West Britain and is really a Continental species, saying that it is also very rare in Europe.

Autumn Squill

A small but very pretty little purple flower with long narrow leaves found in amongst the short grassland up at Berry Head (and at Walls Hill and Hopes Nose too). It is in the Lily family, related to the bluebell and flowers from July to September. It's rare, only being found in the South of England from Cornwall to Essex on dunes and sea cliffs. It has another close relative, the Spring Squill that isn't quite so rare and flowers April to May on rocky sea cliffs.

Autumn Ladies Tresses

This lovely little plant is unusual because the blue / green leaves form a ring, low to the ground and the flower stem rises to the side of the ring, not from the centre. The tiny white flowers form a spiral twist up the stem and are coconut scented. It is in the Orchid family, flowers from August to September and is only found on dry lime rich grasslands or dunes or on sandy grasslands.

Autumn Gentian

Another species in flower from August to September. Again it's quite small but has beautiful purple trumpet shaped flowers (bigger than Autumn Squill) and is only found on lime rich grassland and dunes. The Gentians are in a family of their own, the Spring Gentian is a brilliant blue colour but is not found in Devon , the best place to see it being on The Burren in County Clare , Ireland .