Sea holly

The sea holly is a typical species of dry dunes with marram grass in the dunes closest to the beach. Sea holly tolerates slightly salty conditions, but is mainly found in places that are out of reach of salty water. The sea holly is a very rare species on the Flemish scale, but along the coast it is spread out and can even be quite numerous: so on a walk through the dunes you certainly have a chance of encountering it! The blue flowers are a favourite nectar plant for many insects, such as the grayling, the sand wasp Bembix rostrata and the coast leaf-cutter.