Sea Campion

Description:

Sea campion is a native plant of the Western Isles. It is a common and conspicuous species of rocks and cliffs by the sea all round the Northern Ireland coast.

Habitat:

Sea campion is a perennial plant. In the Wesern Isles it mostly grows on cliff-ledges and amongst shingle, liking well-drained soil in full sun, but does also grow on inland mountains.

Notes:

Sea campion used to be known as dead man's bells or devil's hatties. It was one of those plants which because of superstition were never picked or brought into the house for fear of tempting death. With the habitat of the plant being cliff-ledges, collecting it certainly was a dangerous act.