Conserving rare plants

Funding to assess the genetic variability of the plants

Dr Graham Rowe has been awarded RICF funding to conduct research to help conserve Rumex Rupestris (Shore Dock).

He'll collect samples from species in the UK and test them in the labs at Kedleston Road to assess the amount of genetic variability in the plants.

The largest group in Britain only has 50 plants

Shore Dock has greyish leaves and tiny green and reddish brown flowers. It's found on upper shores or in wet hollows in sand dunes, on the west coasts of Wales and southern England.

Even the largest group in Britain has only 50 plants, with the decline being caused by a loss of habitat due to tourism and sea defences and smothering by invasive plants.