Flora of Eastbourne Sussex

This was a lovely day out in June led by expert Matthew Berry who identified many interesting species for us – I don’t take credit for any identifications on this page! Eastbourne is on the south coast of England in East Sussex.

Wildflowers near a roundabout

We met at the Sovereign Centre, a leisure centre on the outskirts of Eastbourne, which is near a roundabout well-known locally. It was surprising what interesting species we spotted so near to the pavement around this area. The first plant Matthew showed us was a Blue pimpernel, Lysimachia foemina, which I omitted to photograph – a good start!

Dense flowered Fumitory Fumaria densiflora — Dense flowered Fumitory – Fumaria densiflora – Sovereign Centre Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Pink and very pale Geranium molle – Sovereign Centre Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Common broomrape Orobanche minor — Common broomrape – Orobanche minor – Sovereign Centre Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Towards Sovereign Park

We headed towards the wild areas of Sovereign Park, which are close to the beach and have broad sections of gravel.

Bee orchid Ophrys apifera — Bee orchid – Ophrys apifera – Sovereign area Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Lucerne Medicago sativa — Lucerne – Medicago sativa ssp sativa – Sovereign Park Eastbourne – Jun 2019

mouse ear hawkweed pilosella officinarum — Mouse ear hawkweed – Pilosella officinarum – Sovereign Park Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Hop trefoil Trifolium campestre — Hop trefoil – Trifolium campestre – Sovereign Park Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Wild area with gravel – Sovereign Park Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Vipers bugloss Sovereign Park Eastbourne — Wild area with Vipers bugloss – Sovereign Park Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Vipers bugloss Echium vugare Eastbourne — Vipers bugloss – Echium vugare – Sovereign Park Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Common poppy Papaver rhoeas Eastbourne — Common poppy – Papaver rhoeas – Sovereign Park Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Growing on the beach on Sovereign seafront

Greek dock – Rumex cristatus – Eastbourne seafront near Sovereign Centre – Jun 2019

Field madder Sherardia arvensis Eastbourne — Field madder – Sherardia arvensis – Eastbourne Sovereign – Jun 2019

Nature thriving at Sovereign Harbour

Sovereign Harbour is a large marina and housing complex with shops and restaurants.

Spotted spurge Euphorbia maculata Eastbourne — Spotted spurge – Euphorbia maculata – Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne – alien – Jun 2019

Vipers bugloss Hoary mustard — Vipers bugloss and Hoary mustard – Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Hoary mustard Hirschfeldia incana — Hoary mustard – Hirschfeldia incana – Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Self seeded lavender Eastbourne — Self seeded lavender from a planted display nearby – Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Herb robert Geranium robertianum maritime subspecies — Herb robert – Geranium robertianum maritime subspecies – Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne – Jun 2019

Rose Rosa rugosa eastbourne — Rose – Rosa rugosa – Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne – Jun 2019

White clover Trifolium repens Eastbourne — White clover – Trifolium repens – Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour – Jun 2019

Weld Reseda luteola Eastbourne — Weld – Reseda luteola – Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour – Jun 2019

Wildlife havens in Pacific Drive area

This is a built up area near the harbour and the sea with some vacant plots that had become wildlife havens.

Pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis Eastbourne — Pyramidal orchid – Anacamptis pyramidalis – Eastbourne Pacific Drive – Jun 2019

Pale bee orchid community Eastbourne — Pale bee orchid community – Eastbourne Pacific Drive – Jun 2019

Pale bee orchid Ophrys apifera var flavescens — Pale bee orchid – Ophrys apifera var flavescens – Eastbourne Pacific Drive – Jun 2019

Slender thistle Carduus tenuiflorus Eastbourne — Slender thistle – Carduus tenuiflorus – Eastbourne Pacific Drive – Jun 2019

Plants growing on Sovereign Harbour beach

Eastbourne beach near Sovereign harbour — Eastbourne beach near Sovereign Harbour with Hoary mustard and Lucerne – Jun 2019

Everlasting pea Lathyrus latifolius Eastbourne — Everlasting pea – Lathyrus latifolius – Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour beach – Jun 2019

Great mullein Verbascum thapsus Eastbourne — Great mullein – Verbascum thapsus – Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour beach – Jun 2019

Horned poppy Glaucium flavium Eastbourne — Horned poppy – Glaucium flavium – Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour beach – Jun 2019

Sovereign Harbour beach Eastbourne – Hoary mustard – Vipers bugloss – Jun 2019

Kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria Eastbourne — Kidney vetch – Anthyllis vulneraria – Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour beach – Jun 2019

Rose campion Lychnis coronaria Eastbourne — Rose campion – Lychnis coronaria – Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour beach – likely garden escape – Jun 2019

Red valerian Centranthus ruber Eastbourne — Red valerian – Centranthus ruber – Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour beach – Jun 2019

Beach plants towards Eastbourne town

I said goodbye to the group and headed back towards the town centre and bus home, but the seaside communities of flora were still impressive surprisingly close to town.

Eastbourne seafront near net huts – Jun 2019

Vipers bugloss Echium vulgare Eastbourne — Vipers bugloss – Echium vulgare – Eastbourne – Jun 2019

I should mention that Matthew identified many interesting species not mentioned here. This is because I particularly enjoy photographing wildflowers and was only carrying my smartphone, so I recorded the most easily photogenic species. For a more detailed report, written by Matthew, see the Wildflower Society magazine Winter 2020 edition.

Find out more about the Wildflower society

Read more about identifying: Clover | Geraniums | Kidney vetch | Lathyrus and Orchids.

2 thoughts on “Eastbourne walk with the Wildflower Society”

Andrew says:

at 12:33 pm

We used to have a flat on the front in Prince William Parade and this show is one of our walks – wonderful reminder of happy times!

1. Ruth says:
  
  at 4:23 pm
  
  Hi Andrew, Thanks for commenting! You were lucky to have all those flowers on your doorstep. Best wishes, Ruth