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Lundy Cabbage

Coincya monensis wrightii

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Brassicales
Family:
Brassicaceae (Cabbage)
Also in this family:
Alpine Pennycress, Alpine Rock-cress, American Wintercress, Annual Wall Rocket, Austrian Yellowcress, Awlwort, Bastard Cabbage, Black Mustard, Bristol Rock-cress, Charlock, Common Scurvygrass, Common Whitlowgrass, Coralroot, Creeping Yellowcress, Cuckooflower, Dame's-violet, Danish Scurvygrass, Dittander, Early Wintercress, Eastern Rocket, English Scurvygrass, Evergreen Candytuft, False London Rocket, Field Pennycress, Field Pepperwort, Flixweed, Garden Arabis, Garden Candytuft, Garden Cress, Garden Radish, Garden Rocket, Garlic Mustard, Glabrous Whitlowgrass, Gold of Pleasure, Great Yellowcress, Greater Cuckooflower, Greater Periwinkle, Greater Swinecress, Hairy Bittercress, Hairy Rock-cress, Hairy Rocket, Hairy Whitlowgrass, Hedge Mustard, Hoary Cress, Hoary Mustard, Hoary Stock, Hoary Whitlowgrass, Honesty, Horseradish, Hutchinsia, Hybrid Watercress, Intermediate Periwinkle, Isle of Man Cabbage, Large Bittercress, Lesser Swinecress, London Rocket, Marsh Yellowcress, Mountain Scurvygrass, Narrow-fruited Watercress, Narrow-leaved Bittercress, Narrow-leaved Pepperwort, Northern Rock-cress, Northern Yellowcress, Oilseed Rape, Perennial Rocket, Perennial Wall Rocket, Perfoliate Pennycress, Pinnate Coralroot, Purple Rock-cress, Pyrenean Scurvygrass, Rock Whitlowgrass, Russian Rocket, Scottish Scurvygrass, Sea Kale, Sea Radish, Sea Rocket, Sea Stock, Shepherd's Cress, Shepherd's Purse, Small-flowered Wintercress, Smith's Pepperwort, Steppe Cabbage, Swede, Sweet Alyssum, Tall Rocket, Thale Cress, Tower Mustard, Treacle Mustard, Trefoil Cress, Turnip, Wall Whitlowgrass, Wallflower, Wallflower Cabbage, Warty Cabbage, Watercress, Wavy Bittercress, White Mustard, Wild Cabbage, Wild Candytuft, Wild Radish, Wild Turnip, Wintercress, Woad, Yellow Whitlowgrass
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
1 metre tall
Habitats:
Beaches, cliffs, meadows, sand dunes, seaside.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, 4 petals
 
Yellow flowers with quite well spaced petals. Similar in appearance to Isle of Man Cabbage (Coincya monensis) but the yellow flowers are richer in colour. The stalks of the flowers are longer than the sepals.
Fruit:
The fruit is a pod.
Leaves:
A short-lived perennial flower with pinnate basal leaves. Similar in appearance to Isle of Man Cabbage (Coincya monensis) but woody at the base.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Coincya monensis wrightii is a subspecies of Coincya monensis, which is a species of flowering plant in the cabbage family. Coincya monensis wrightii is native to Europe and is commonly found in mountainous regions. The plant is known for its small, white flowers and hairy leaves. It grows well in rocky or gravelly soils and is often found in alpine meadows and cliffs. Coincya monensis wrightii is a low-growing plant that forms a mat-like shape and can spread to form large clumps. It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant and is valued for its attractive flowers and ability to thrive in difficult growing conditions. The plant is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.

Blog

Lundy Cabbage, also known as Coincya monensis wrightii, is a unique and fascinating plant species that is native to the coast of Devon and Cornwall in England. It is a close relative of the common garden cabbage, but it is smaller and much more hardy, making it perfectly suited to life in its rugged coastal habitat.

The Lundy Cabbage is a biennial plant, meaning that it takes two years to complete its life cycle. In its first year, it grows a rosette of large, fleshy leaves that are covered in a layer of white, woolly down. This dense covering helps to protect the plant from the harsh coastal winds and salt spray.

In its second year, the Lundy Cabbage produces a tall stem that is topped with a small, yellow flower head. These flowers are an important source of nectar for the many insects that live on Lundy Island, where the plant is found in abundance. The flowers are also an important food source for the island's rare and protected seabirds, such as puffins and guillemots.

Despite its hardy nature, the Lundy Cabbage is under threat from several factors. Its habitat is being degraded by the grazing of livestock and by the spread of non-native plant species. In addition, the plant is also facing threats from climate change, with rising temperatures and increased frequency of storms causing damage to the coastal habitats where it grows.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the Lundy Cabbage and its unique habitat. These efforts include the introduction of grazing restrictions, the removal of non-native plant species, and the creation of protected areas on Lundy Island where the plant can thrive.

The Lundy Cabbage is a fascinating and important plant species that is worth protecting and preserving. Its unique adaptation to its coastal habitat makes it a valuable part of England's natural heritage, and we must work to ensure that it continues to thrive for generations to come.

Another aspect of the Lundy Cabbage that sets it apart from other plant species is its ability to survive and thrive in a range of challenging environments. The plant is able to tolerate salt spray, strong winds, and low levels of soil fertility, making it an excellent example of a tough and resilient coastal plant.

The Lundy Cabbage also has an interesting cultural history. The plant was historically used by island residents as a food source, and it is still used in traditional recipes today. Its tough and hardy nature also made it a popular choice for use as a medicinal plant, with the leaves and stems of the plant being used to treat a range of ailments.

In addition to its cultural and ecological importance, the Lundy Cabbage is also a valuable species from a scientific perspective. Its unique adaptations to its coastal environment make it an interesting subject for study, and research into the plant has contributed to our understanding of plant evolution and ecology.

Despite the challenges it faces, the Lundy Cabbage is a symbol of resilience and determination, and a testament to the incredible diversity of life on our planet. Whether you are a scientist, a conservationist, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, the Lundy Cabbage is a species worth getting to know and protecting.

In recent years, ecotourism has become an increasingly popular way for people to learn about and appreciate the unique flora and fauna of the world. For those interested in the Lundy Cabbage, a visit to Lundy Island is a must. The island is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and is home to a number of rare and protected species, including the Lundy Cabbage.

Visitors to the island can take guided tours to see the plant in its natural habitat, and can learn about the efforts being made to protect and conserve this important species. In addition, there are a number of trails and paths on the island that allow visitors to explore the stunning coastal scenery and see the Lundy Cabbage up close.

For those unable to visit the island in person, there are many resources available that can help you learn about the Lundy Cabbage and its important role in the ecosystem. There are numerous books, articles, and websites that provide information on the plant and its history, as well as resources for those interested in conservation and ecology.

The Lundy Cabbage is a unique and fascinating plant species that is well worth learning about. Whether you visit Lundy Island in person, or simply learn about the plant through the many resources available, this important species is sure to leave a lasting impression. With continued conservation efforts, we can help ensure that the Lundy Cabbage continues to thrive and play its important role in the ecosystem for many years to come.

It's also worth mentioning that the Lundy Cabbage is not just important for its ecological and cultural significance, but also for its aesthetic beauty. The large rosette of leaves in its first year and the bright yellow flowers in its second year make it a visually striking plant, even in its rugged coastal habitat.

The plant's beauty has not gone unnoticed, and it has inspired many artists, photographers, and writers over the years. Whether captured in a painting, photograph, or written description, the Lundy Cabbage has a timeless quality that continues to captivate those who encounter it.

Furthermore, the Lundy Cabbage also plays an important role in supporting the wider ecosystem of Lundy Island. The plant provides habitat for a range of insects, birds, and other wildlife, and its flowers are an important source of nectar for many of the island's pollinators. This, in turn, supports the overall health and diversity of the island's ecosystem.

In conclusion, the Lundy Cabbage is a species that should be celebrated for its ecological, cultural, and aesthetic significance. From its hardy and resilient nature, to its stunning beauty and important role in supporting the wider ecosystem, this unique plant species is truly a treasure that deserves our attention and protection.