Sea Holly
VU

Sea Holly

Eryngium maritimum

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eryngium_maritimum

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Sea Holly faces severe decline across its European coastal range due to intensive coastal development and tourism infrastructure that destroys its specialized dune habitats. Beach stabilization projects and sand extraction have eliminated many historical populations, while trampling from recreational activities fragments remaining colonies. Climate change-driven sea level rise and increased storm intensity threaten the narrow coastal zone where this species can survive.

Threat summary

Habitat

Sea Holly is restricted to sandy coastal dunes, shingle beaches, and maritime grasslands along Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. It requires well-drained, nutrient-poor sandy soils in the upper beach zone where it can tolerate salt spray and shifting substrates.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Sea Holly classified as Vulnerable?
Sea Holly is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Sea Holly faces severe decline across its European coastal range due to intensive coastal development and tourism infrastructure that destroys its specialized dune habitats. Beach stabilization projects and sand extraction have eliminated many historical populations, while trampling from recreational activities fragments remaining colonies. Climate change-driven sea level rise and increased storm intensity threaten the narrow coastal zone where this species can survive.
Where does Sea Holly live?
Sea Holly occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sea Holly?
The main threats to Sea Holly are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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