The Feisty Sea Primrose on a Glorious Morning

Day 41, a plant a day , Samolus repens, Lowlands Coastal Reserve

Samolus repens, all loved up by its hoverfly pollinator, grows right on Healing Beach, near Ancestor Rock, Lowlands Coastal Reserve

Samolus repens, the sea primrose, is a feisty little plant. Are all beings described as “feisty” little? Or is it in some way condescending to say “feisty little”, especially to a female?, Does anyone ever tell a man that he is feisty? Ok, start again, without the micro-aggressive language, sea primrose is an admirable and resilient plant — there, that’s better!

Sea primrose growing on the beach, Lowlands Coastal Reserve

I have the utmost respect for this plant, not only must it contend with varying levels of salinity, anaerobic soils, and the vagaries of storms and tides, it can also be engulfed by bigger more invasive species, such as sea spurge

Glorious Morning at Healing Beach , 3 December 2020, look at that sky! Lowlands Coastal Reserve

Samolus repens is native to Australia, and occurs in all states. Similar species occur worldwide.

It is a useful plant for beach restoration projects because of its resilience. I also admire its pretty five petalled flowers, sometimes pink, but mostly white.

Some of the leaves had white specks of salt, I think researchers have shown that this plant produces salt excreting glands, to cope with its seaside habitat.

Sea primrose on Healing Beach 3 December 2020, Lowlands Coastal Reserve

Pretty in Pink, and yes it even grows in the rock! 6 December 2020

Writing this daily blog featuring a plant a day and walking daily is my fundraising effort for Bush Heritage #groundworkchallenge . To join my team or donate go to https://www.groundworkchallenge.org.au/fundraisers/sheilamurray/2020?fbclid=IwAR2HbNn0YsCCc3tiSK-_lbF5xLsssaD8wjGHaUwVYrRqYxM-kdJkijoj2N0

Lowlands Coastal Reserve is on Menang Boodja — country. I celebrate the strength, resilience and capacity of the Menang Noongar people who are the traditional owners of the land.

Lowlands Coastal Reserve is managed by the local community and the City of Albany. Bush Heritage Australia manage many other wonderful reserves.

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