Triglochin maritima

Photo © Carl Farmer
7 Jun 2003 Portree, Skye
Tip of crimson spike at back 10 cm vertically from ground, spike itself 2.6 cm

Common on the shore, especially in saltmarshes.

Fruit c 2mm wide, leaves up to 3 mm wide.

ID: The leaves are fleshy and semi-cylindrical like those of Marsh Arrowgrass, but they are not furrowed above at the base (though may have slightly raised edges). The flowers are also similar but the fruits are very different, being no more than twice as long as broad in Sea but many times longer than broad in Marsh.

Other features: Tufted with stout "fans" of leaves at base.

Photo © Carl Farmer 7 Jun 2003 Portree, Skye Spike 2.6 cm long		Photo © Carl Farmer 7 Jun 2003 Portree, Skye Spike 5 cm long from lowest (isolated) flower; 9 mm wide incl flowers		Photo © Carl Farmer 27 Aug 2002 Portree, Skye		Photo © Carl Farmer 16 Sep 2001 Broadford, Skye
The flowers start off red and soon become white, then fall to leave the green carpels which eventually become brown fruits (below right)

Photo © Carl Farmer 7 Jun 2003 Portree, Skye		Photo © Carl Farmer 27 Aug 2002 Portree, Skye

West Highland Flora