250
AUTUMN BOTANY AT CLACTON.
Atriplex littoralis. The reed-swamp, near here, shows Phrag-
mites as the dominant plant, Scirpus maritimus, S. tabernaemontani,
Sparganium ramosum, Rumex maritimus (plentiful), R. limosus,
R. conglomeratus, R. nemorosus, Lemna minor, L. gibba, L.
polyrrhiza. Other plants found close here include Potamogeton
pectinatus, Aenanthe lachenalii and Glyceria maritima. Pro-
ceeding along the shore towards Colne Point; there can he
seen some rather interesting groupings of the species already
mentioned. Thus by Lion Point is a muddy salt-marsh with
an open vegetation consisting of Salicornia, Aster tripolium,
Juncus gerardi, Suaeda maritima, Spergularia marginata var.
glandulosa, S. neglecta, and Glaux maritima. Further on is a
rather striking association of Juncus maritimus (dominant)
and Phragmites communis ; then comes a community of Agro-
pyron pungens, Statice limonium, and Trifolium arvense ; the
latter species is also seen co-dominant with Carex arenaria,
in company with Leontodon hirtus and Silene maritima (scarce).
Another area is occupied almost exclusively by Spergularia
marginata, Salicornia ramosissima, and Suaeda maritima. On
the sandy shore near Lion Point are to be seen Cakile maritima,
Honckenya peploides, Eryngium maritimum, Hypochaeris radicata,
Leontodon hirtus, Artemisia maritima, Convolvulus soldanella,
Rumex acetosella, Atriplex laciniata, A. littoralis, A. hastata,
Beta maritima, Salsola kali, Carex arenaria, Ammophila arenaria,
Phleum arenarium, Festuca rubra var. barbata, Agropyron pungens,
etc.
Suaeda fruticosa. Fine bushes of this interesting shrub
grow plentifully on the shore beyond the Martello tower west
of Lion Point, forming a rather striking feature of the vegetation.
Eryngium maritimum is abundant here and was still in
flower on 25th Sept. Proceeding further west, is an extensive
salt marsh with such species as Aster tripolium, Statice limonium,
Surnia fruticosa, Salicornia perennis, S. ramosissima, Atriplex
portulacoides, Spartina stricta.
The saltings between St. Osyth and Brightlingsea yielded
some interesting plants. The general salt-marsh vegetation
consists of Suaeda maritima, Atriplex portulacoides, Glyceria
maritima, Aster tripolium, Spartina stricta (scarce), Statice
limonium, various Salicornias, etc. The Sea Couch-grass
Agropyron pungens grows so abundantly on the sea wall bordering
.