Sandworts: The Coastal Plants That Thrive in Sandy Soils

Sandworts are a group of plants that are adapted to grow in coastal areas with sandy soils. These plants have evolved specialized features to survive and thrive in these challenging environments, such as deep taproots to access water deep in the soil, small leaves to reduce water loss, and salt-tolerant tissues to protect against the high levels of salt in the air and soil.

Some common examples of sandworts include:

1. Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus): A legume that grows on beaches and dunes, producing showy pink or white flowers.
2. Sea lavender (Limonium vulgare): A shrubby plant with purple flowers that grows in sandy soils along the coast.
3. Glasswort (Artemisia absinthium): A shrubby plant with silver-gray leaves that grows in salty areas and produces small yellow flowers.
4. Beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae): A climbing vine with trumpet-shaped flowers that grows on beaches and dunes.
5. Sea rocket (Cakile edentula): An annual plant with pink or white flowers that grows in sandy soils along the coast.

Sandworts are an important part of the coastal ecosystem, providing food and habitat for a variety of animals and helping to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.