Sea holly

Sea holly or seaside eryngo (Eryngium maritimum), like the examples we can see here, is one of the most specialised species in sandy and coastal environments, along with tamarisk and the other species we can see occupying the surface of the dunes. Its flowers are a striking metallic blue. It used to be sought after, as its stalk, eaten when it is tender, was thought to have aphrodisiac properties. Its habitat, with the destruction of many coastal dunes and natural beaches from the past, is now very restricted and its presence is an indicator of the good recovery of this stretch of the coastline of the Baix Ter.