# Sea Holly (*Eryngium maritimum*) Sea Holly has spiky blue flowers that look like little stars! It loves to grow near the ocean or sandy areas. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Coastal dunes and sandy areas - **Also known as:** Coastal Eryngo, Sand Eryngo ![Sea Holly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426351/objects/4969.jpg) ## Appearance The Sea Holly is a strikingly architectural plant with stiff, leathery, spiky leaves that are a distinctive silvery-blue-green color. Its unique thistle-like flowers are also metallic blue-green, surrounded by sharp, pointed bracts, making it visually stand out against sandy coastal landscapes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Apiales - **Family:** Apiaceae - **Genus:** Eryngium ## Interesting facts - During Shakespeare's time, Sea Holly roots were believed to have magical powers, even as an aphrodisiac! - Its candied roots were a popular sweet treat, once called 'Eryngo' kisses, especially in Victorian times! - Sea Holly is a pioneer plant, meaning it's one of the first plants to grow and help stabilize new sand dunes. - The plant's unique metallic blue color comes from special air pockets and waxy coatings, not just pigment. ## Special abilities - **Deep Drinker:** Sea Holly has a super long taproot that anchors it in shifting sands and helps it find deep underground water sources. - **Salt Shield:** Its thick, waxy, and often spiny leaves help Sea Holly reduce water loss and tolerate salty sea spray. - **Dune Builder:** Sea Holly's roots help stabilize sandy dunes, preventing erosion and creating habitat for other plants. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-60 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Attracted to its nectar-rich blue flowers. - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — A frequent visitor collecting nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Can browse on young shoots and leaves in coastal areas. - **Symbiotic with:** Marram Grass (*Ammophila arenaria*) — Often grows nearby, helping stabilize coastal sand dunes. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Salt Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/salt-tolerant): Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sea Holly? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Sea Holly? 30-60 cm ### How wide does Sea Holly spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Sea Holly? 2-4 cm ### When does Sea Holly bloom? Summer ### Is Sea Holly edible? Yes ### Is Sea Holly toxic? None ### What is Sea Holly's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Zoo de la Palmyre](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-la-palmyre) — Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR · Zoo - [Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/migliarino-san-rossore-and-massaciuccoli-regional-park) — IT · Park - [Mondragó Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mondrago-natural-park) — Illes Balears, ES · Park - [Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/vorpommersche-boddenlandschaft-national-park) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park - [Botanischer Garten Rostock](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/botanischer-garten-rostock) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park - [Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas and Peña del Águila Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calblanque-regional-park) — Región de Murcia, ES · Park [View all places to see Sea Holly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sea-holly) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Sea Holly: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sea-holly)