Some plants found on the sea-defences

Concrete sea-defences protect almost all of the island on which Portsmouth is built. There are just a few odd places with a natural transition from sea to land. One of them is the Milton Locks Reserve at Eastney. On the south coast of Portsea Island, the shingle beach acts as a natural first line of defence, with its own characteristic vegetation where recreational pressure is not excessive. The best example is Eastney Beach. In Portsmouth and Langstone Harbours, calmer waters result in salt marshes and mudflats in the intertidal zone. The sea-walls protect the land from the combined effects of exceptionally high tides and storms. In places, the gaps between the blocks provide just enough anchorage for some plants which can tolerate a rather harsh environment.
Samphires Rock Samphire in the foreground, and Golden Samphire behind, grow together near the top of Eastern Road.

True to their name, these Wallflowers grow on the defences near to the samphires. Wallflowers next to the Eastern Road

Thrift on sea-wall One plant of Thrift was found on the defences West of Farlington Marshes Reserve, at the upper limit of Broom Channel.

Nearby is this Greater Sea Spurrey. Greater Sea Spurrey on sea-wall

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