The Devonian
limestone outcrops in a number of areas in south Devon. Even the
most important sites are small, and most are under heavy pressure
from holiday makers. The coastal position of the most important
sites ensures that a mixture of maritime species is present with
the calcicoles, and the extremely mild, oceanic climate may account
for the presence of a number of distinctive plants in both groups.
The grasslands are in general similar floristically to those of
southern coastal outcrops of Chalk and Jurassic limestones, and the
more special features are the presence of various rare or local
species, some of which are associated particularly with the open
ground of rocky slopes and cliffs.
