Starry Clover
 

Common Name(s):        Starry Clover Scientific Name:       Trifolium stellatum Family: Usual Size:  cm

                         Photograph by Andy Horton.

Identification: Flowers in June on the shingle of Shoreham Beach, its only location in the British Isles. This small naturalised ground plant has been known from this area for two centuries (discovered in 1804). Another pic, by David Wood. Unto the Hills The History and Wildlife of the South Downs by Patrick Coulcher (Foreword by Denis Healey) ISBN 1-85776 - 586 - 9 Extract from the chapter "The Adur to the Arun" The Starry Clover is the real gem of this important site. This clover has short stems and soft hairy leaves and the small white flowers which bloom in May and June are held together in rounded heads and each is surrounded by a crimson star-shaped calyx. When in fruit the flower heads with their white soft hairs, look even more like clusters of stars against the backdrop of beach pebbles. The whole plant is prostrate and forms large mats on the upper beach. Starry Clover has been known on this site since early in the nineteenth century and is believed to have entered Shoreham Harbour in the ballast of ships returning from the Mediterranean. If you have not seen this plant before it may take you some time to spot it for the first time, but once you have 'got your eye in' you should easily find the places where it grows. Similar species:  Reproduction:  Habitat: Shoreham Beach only. On shingle near the Old Fort.  Previously known from Dartford, Tilbury, Clacton, Harlow Mills (Essex).   Range: Additional Notes: A desert plant, that has been killed in large numbers by flooding by fresh water, when the small plant has invaded gardens from the shingle, either deliberately or accidentally.  July 2007 I have discovered Starry Clover growing in my garden at 58 Riverside Road, Shoreham Beach. I know it used to grow at my mother's house at 49 Riverside Road but it was killed off by flooding river water.  Other nearby locations have been "developed". Report by Tony Watson  Information wanted: Please send any records of this plant, with location, date, who discovered it, how it was identified, prevalence, common name and any other details to  Shorewatch Project EMail Glaucus@hotmail.com.  All messages will receive a reply.  Shorewatch Project Seashore Page Shingle Coast  (Coastal Fringe of Shoreham Beach) Shoreham-by-Sea Page