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  • Alkanet - Anthusa officinalis (Boraginaceae) Upright, bristly perennial of waste ground and abandonned arable. Leaves are 5-10cm long and bristly. Flowers are blue and 5-lobed, 8-15mm across ((May-Oct). Probably originates in Britain as a garden plant and from birdseed. Widespread but local, mainly in S.
    143565.jpg
  • Alkanet - Anthusa officinalis (Boraginaceae) Upright, bristly perennial of waste ground and abandonned arable. Leaves are 5-10cm long and bristly. Flowers are blue and 5-lobed, 8-15mm across ((May-Oct). Probably originates in Britain as a garden plant and from birdseed. Widespread but local, mainly in S.
    143566.jpg
  • HAWKWEED OXTONGUE Picris hieracioides (Asteraceae) Height to 70cm. Branched perennial with stems that are bristly and sometimes are tinged reddish towards the base. Grows in rough grassland, often near the coast. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 20-25mm across (Jul-Sep). FRUITS have feathery hairs. LEAVES resemble those of Bristly Oxtongue but are narrow-oblong, toothed and covered in bristles that are not swollen-based. STATUS-Locally common only in SE England; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    132194.jpg
  • Alkanet - Anthusa officinalis (Boraginaceae) Upright, bristly perennial of waste ground and abandonned arable. Leaves are 5-10cm long and bristly. Flowers are blue and 5-lobed, 8-15mm across ((May-Oct). Probably originates in Britain as a garden plant and from birdseed. Widespread but local, mainly in S.
    143567.jpg
  • HAWKWEED OXTONGUE Picris hieracioides (Asteraceae) Height to 70cm. Branched perennial with stems that are bristly and sometimes are tinged reddish towards the base. Grows in rough grassland, often near the coast. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 20-25mm across (Jul-Sep). FRUITS have feathery hairs. LEAVES resemble those of Bristly Oxtongue but are narrow-oblong, toothed and covered in bristles that are not swollen-based. STATUS-Locally common only in SE England; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    132196.jpg
  • ROUGH CHERVIL Chaerophyllum temulum (Apiaceae) Height to 1m. Biennial with solid, ridged, bristly and purple-spotted stems. Similar to both Cow Parsley and Upright Hedge-parsley. Favours hedges and verges. FLOWERS are white; borne in umbels up to 6cm across (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are elongate, tapering and ridged. LEAVES are 2- to 3-pinnate, hairy and dark green. STATUS-Common in England and Wales.
    131041.jpg
  • GREEN ALKANET Pentaglottis sempervirens (Boraginaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, bristly perennial found in shady hedgerows and on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across and blue with a white centre; borne in clusters arising from upper leaf axils (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are rough nutlets. LEAVES are oval, pointed and net-veined; lower leaves stalked, upper ones unstalked. STATUS-Naturalised locally.
    130805.jpg
  • ROUGH CHERVIL Chaerophyllum temulum (Apiaceae) Height to 1m. Biennial with solid, ridged, bristly and purple-spotted stems. Similar to both Cow Parsley and Upright Hedge-parsley. Favours hedges and verges. FLOWERS are white; borne in umbels up to 6cm across (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are elongate, tapering and ridged. LEAVES are 2- to 3-pinnate, hairy and dark green. STATUS-Common in England and Wales.
    131052.jpg
  • GREEN HOUND’S-TONGUE Cynoglossum germanicum (Height to 70cm) is similar to Common Hound’s-tongue but the leaves are green and bristly (not hairy). The flowers are bell-shaped and 5-6mm across (May-Jul). It grows in chalk scrub and hedgerows, mainly on the edge of the Cotswolds.
    134105.jpg
  • ROUGH CHERVIL Chaerophyllum temulum (Apiaceae) Height to 1m. Biennial with solid, ridged, bristly and purple-spotted stems. Similar to both Cow Parsley and Upright Hedge-parsley. Favours hedges and verges. FLOWERS are white; borne in umbels up to 6cm across (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are elongate, tapering and ridged. LEAVES are 2- to 3-pinnate, hairy and dark green. STATUS-Common in England and Wales.
    131051.jpg
  • GREEN HOUND’S-TONGUE Cynoglossum germanicum (Height to 70cm) is similar to Common Hound’s-tongue but the leaves are green and bristly (not hairy). The flowers are bell-shaped and 5-6mm across (May-Jul). It grows in chalk scrub and hedgerows, mainly on the edge of the Cotswolds.
    134101.jpg
  • ROUGH CHERVIL Chaerophyllum temulum (Apiaceae) Height to 1m. Biennial with solid, ridged, bristly and purple-spotted stems. Similar to both Cow Parsley and Upright Hedge-parsley. Favours hedges and verges. FLOWERS are white; borne in umbels up to 6cm across (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are elongate, tapering and ridged. LEAVES are 2- to 3-pinnate, hairy and dark green. STATUS-Common in England and Wales.
    131049.jpg
  • Bristly Oxtongue - Picris echioides
    164295.jpg
  • Bristly Oxtongue - Picris echioides
    164294.jpg
  • VIPER’S-BUGLOSS Echium vulgare (Boraginaceae) Height to 80cm. Upright biennial covered in reddish bristles. Grows in dry grassland, mainly on sandy and calcareous soils, often near the coast. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, funnel-shaped and bright blue with protruding purplish stamens; borne in tall spikes (May-Sep). FRUITS are rough nutlets. LEAVES are narrow and pointed; basal leaves are stalked. STATUS-Widespread and common in England and Wales; scarce elsewhere.
    131145.jpg
  • CAT’S-EAR Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm. Tufted perennial with hairless stems. Grows in dry grassland. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 25-40mm across, with yellow florets much longer than the bristly, purple-tipped bracts; flower stalks branch 1-2 times and are swollen beneath the solitary heads (Jun-Sep). Scales present between florets. FRUITS are beaked with some feathery hairs. LEAVES are oblong, bristly, wavy-edged; form a basal rosette. STATUS-Common.
    131033.jpg
  • SPOTTED CAT’S-EAR Hypochaeris maculata (Asteraceae) Height to 30cm. Rather distinctive perennial that grows in dry grassland and on broken, rocky slopes, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are borne in heads 3-5cm across, with lemon yellow florets and blackish bracts; heads are solitary and carried on bristly stalks (Jun-Aug). Has scales between florets. FRUITS have feathery hairs. LEAVES are ovate, wavy-edged, bristly and marked with reddish purple spots. STATUS-Rare and local.
    153664.jpg
  • CAT’S-EAR Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm. Tufted perennial with hairless stems. Grows in dry grassland. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 25-40mm across, with yellow florets much longer than the bristly, purple-tipped bracts; flower stalks branch 1-2 times and are swollen beneath the solitary heads (Jun-Sep). Scales present between florets. FRUITS are beaked with some feathery hairs. LEAVES are oblong, bristly, wavy-edged; form a basal rosette. STATUS-Common.
    131983.jpg
  • CAT’S-EAR Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm. Tufted perennial with hairless stems. Grows in dry grassland. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 25-40mm across, with yellow florets much longer than the bristly, purple-tipped bracts; flower stalks branch 1-2 times and are swollen beneath the solitary heads (Jun-Sep). Scales present between florets. FRUITS are beaked with some feathery hairs. LEAVES are oblong, bristly, wavy-edged; form a basal rosette. STATUS-Common.
    131023.jpg
  • SPOTTED CAT’S-EAR Hypochaeris maculata (Asteraceae) Height to 30cm. Rather distinctive perennial that grows in dry grassland and on broken, rocky slopes, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are borne in heads 3-5cm across, with lemon yellow florets and blackish bracts; heads are solitary and carried on bristly stalks (Jun-Aug). Has scales between florets. FRUITS have feathery hairs. LEAVES are ovate, wavy-edged, bristly and marked with reddish purple spots. STATUS-Rare and local.
    153656.jpg
  • SPOTTED CAT’S-EAR Hypochaeris maculata (Asteraceae) Height to 30cm. Rather distinctive perennial that grows in dry grassland and on broken, rocky slopes, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are borne in heads 3-5cm across, with lemon yellow florets and blackish bracts; heads are solitary and carried on bristly stalks (Jun-Aug). Has scales between florets. FRUITS have feathery hairs. LEAVES are ovate, wavy-edged, bristly and marked with reddish purple spots. STATUS-Rare and local.
    129791.jpg
  • SPOTTED CAT’S-EAR Hypochaeris maculata Height to 30cm<br />
Rather distinctive perennial that grows in dry grassland and on broken, rocky slopes, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are borne in heads 3-5cm across, with lemon yellow florets and blackish bracts; heads are solitary and carried on bristly stalks (Jun-Aug). Has scales between florets. FRUITS have feathery hairs. LEAVES are ovate, wavy-edged, bristly and marked with reddish purple spots. STATUS-Rare and local.
    145074.jpg
  • BRISTLY OXTONGUE Picris echioides (Asteraceae) Height to 80cm. Branched and upright annual or biennial. Stems are covered in stiff bristles. Grows in dry grassland and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 20-25mm across, with pale yellow florets; carried in open clusters (Jun-Oct). FRUITS have feathery hairs. LEAVES are oblong, the upper ones clasping; covered in swollen-based bristles and pale spots. STATUS-Locally common in S Britain but scarce elsewhere.
    131302.jpg
  • DORSET HEATH Erica ciliaris (Ericaceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Clump-forming, evergreen undershrub that favours damp, acid soils on heathlands.<br />
FLOWERS are 8-10cm long, elongate egg-shaped and pinkish purple with projecting styles; the flowers opening in succession from the bottom and so the spikes taper towards the top (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are hairless capsules. LEAVES are narrow with bristly margins; borne in whorls of 3. STATUS-Local, restricted to SW England and W Ireland; locally common on Dorset heaths. Note – this species hybridises with Cross-leaved Heath, the result having ciliaris-like flowers and tetralix-like leaves.
    119259.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    143540.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    144919.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    125205.jpg
  • BORAGE Borago officinalis (Boraginaceae)  Height to 30cm<br />
Robust and bristly annual. Found growing on disturbed ground and sometimes on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 20-25mm across, the 5 blue petal-like corolla lobes alternating with purplish calyx teeth; note also the projecting column of anthers (May-Jul).  FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval; lower ones are stalked, upper ones clasp the stem.
    144457.jpg
  • Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda Length 27-30mm. A beautiful pale moth whose abdomen and front legs are covered in fluffy hairs. It rests with the wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has whitish-grey or greyish-buff wings, marked with faint, dark cross lines. Flies May–June. Larva has a blackish body covered in yellow bristly hairs; feeds on various deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain.
    134175.jpg
  • Glanville Fritillary Mellitaea cinxia Wingspan 40mm. A beautifully marked butterfly that is active only in sunshine; remains concealed in cover on overcast days. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underwings are creamy-white and orange-buff. Flies May–June. Larva is black and bristly, with a red head; feeds gregariously on Sea Plantain. Very locally common on undercliffs on Isle of Wight and south Hampshire.
    144912.jpg
  • Glanville Fritillary Mellitaea cinxia Wingspan 40mm. A beautifully marked butterfly that is active only in sunshine; remains concealed in cover on overcast days. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underwings are creamy-white and orange-buff. Flies May–June. Larva is black and bristly, with a red head; feeds gregariously on Sea Plantain. Very locally common on undercliffs on Isle of Wight and south Hampshire.
    127423.jpg
  • SEA-HOLLY Eryngium maritimum (Apiaceae) Height to 60cm<br />
Distinctive, hairless perennial of coastal shingle and sand. FLOWERS are blue and borne in globular umbels, up to 4cm long (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are bristly. LEAVES are waxy, blue-green and holly-like with spiny, white margins and white veins. STATUS-Widespread on the coasts of England, Wales and Ireland; absent from N and E Scotland.
    134787.jpg
  • COMMON HEMP-NETTLE Galeopsis tetrahit (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright, branched and hairy-stemmed annual with stems that are swollen at the nodes. Grows in arable fields and on verges and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long and pinkish, the corolla tube being similar in length to the bristly, toothed and persisting calyx; borne in whorls (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and stalked. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout the region.
    131912.jpg
  • ROUGH CHERVIL Chaerophyllum temulum (Apiaceae) Height to 1m. Biennial with solid, ridged, bristly and purple-spotted stems. Similar to both Cow Parsley and Upright Hedge-parsley. Favours hedges and verges. FLOWERS are white; borne in umbels up to 6cm across (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are elongate, tapering and ridged. LEAVES are 2- to 3-pinnate, hairy and dark green. STATUS-Common in England and Wales.
    131042.jpg
  • FALSE LONDON-ROCKET Sisymbrium loeselii (Brassicaceae) Height to 60cm. Straggly, upright annual with bristly hairy lower stems. Found on waste ground. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across, the 4 yellow petals twice as long as the sepals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are 2-4cm long pods that do not overtop the flowers. LEAVES are deeply pinnately lobed. STATUS-Casual in S Britain; sometimes naturalised, mainly in London.
    130025.jpg
  • Glanville Fritillary Mellitaea cinxia Wingspan 40mm. A beautifully marked butterfly that is active only in sunshine; remains concealed in cover on overcast days. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underwings are creamy-white and orange-buff. Flies May–June. Larva is black and bristly, with a red head; feeds gregariously on Sea Plantain. Very locally common on undercliffs on Isle of Wight and south Hampshire.
    114566.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    156607.jpg
  • ENCHANTER’S-NIGHTSHADE Circaea lutetiana (Onograceae) Height to 65cm. Delicate and slightly downy perennial of woodland and hedgerows. FLOWERS are small with white petals; borne in loose spikes above the leaves (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are club-shaped and bristly. LEAVES are 10cm long, oval, heart-shaped at the base and gently toothed, with round stalks. STATUS-Common and widespread, except in the N.
    130377.jpg
  • PURPLE SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga oppositifolia (Saxifragaceae) Creeping. Mat-forming perennial with trailing stems. Found on mountains, but also on coastal rocks in the N. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across and purple (Mar-Apr). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are small, dark green and have bristly margins; in opposite pairs. STATUS-Locally common in N England and Scotland; rare in N Wales and NW Ireland.
    129675.jpg
  • BLACK MUSTARD Brassica nigra (Brassicaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Robust, greyish annual. Often found on sea cliffs, riverbanks and waste ground. FLOWERS are 12-15mm across with 4 yellow petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and pressed close to stem. LEAVES are stalked, the lower ones pinnately lobed and bristly. STATUS-Locally common in England and Wales; rather scarce elsewhere.
    127101.jpg
  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
    144403.jpg
  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
    144405.jpg
  • Glanville Fritillary - Melitaea cinxia - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 40mm. A beautifully marked butterfly that is active only in sunshine; remains concealed in cover on overcast days. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underwings are creamy-white and orange-buff. Flies May–June. Larva is black and bristly, with a red head; feeds gregariously on Sea Plantain. Very locally common on undercliffs on Isle of Wight and south Hampshire.
    157045.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    145227.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    144916.jpg
  • The Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Length 16mm. An unusual autumn moth only males of which have wings. Males fly mostly in the daytime but sometimes at night. Females are downy and almost wingless; they are sometimes found near clusters of eggs laid on tree bark. Adult male has chestnut forewings with a white spot on the trailing edge. Flies August–September. Larva is bristly with tufts of yellow and black hairs. Larva feeds on deciduous trees. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140752.jpg
  • Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda Length 27-30mm. A beautiful pale moth whose abdomen and front legs are covered in fluffy hairs. It rests with the wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has whitish-grey or greyish-buff wings, marked with faint, dark cross lines. Flies May–June. Larva has a blackish body covered in yellow bristly hairs; feeds on various deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain.
    129623.jpg
  • SEA-HOLLY Eryngium maritimum (Apiaceae) Height to 60cm<br />
Distinctive, hairless perennial of coastal shingle and sand. FLOWERS are blue and borne in globular umbels, up to 4cm long (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are bristly. LEAVES are waxy, blue-green and holly-like with spiny, white margins and white veins. STATUS-Widespread on the coasts of England, Wales and Ireland; absent from N and E Scotland.
    134788.jpg
  • LESSER HAWKBIT Leontodon saxatilis (Asteraceae) Height to 25cm<br />
Perennial with similarities to both Autumn and Rough Hawkbits. Stems are hairless above but bristly below. Grows in dry, grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 20-25mm across, with yellow florets. Heads droop in bud and are solitary; scale-like bracts are absent from flower stalk (Jun-Oct). FRUITS form a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are pinnately lobed and sparsely hairy. STATUS-Common and widespread, except in N.
    129891.jpg
  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
    110116.jpg
  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
    124415.jpg
  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
    145855.jpg
  • Sea Mouse Aphrodita aculeata Length to 20cm<br />
Unmistakable marine invertebrate. An atypical scaleworm, hardly recognisable as a worm at all. Lives part-buried in sand at extreme low water; sometimes stranded. Adult has oval body, scales hidden by dense coat of bristly hairs; dorsal ones are flattened, lateral ones are iridescent. Widespread, locally common offshore, very occasionally washed up after winter gales.
    145464.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    144917.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    137661.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    132744.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    127929.jpg
  • WILD BASIL Clinopodium vulgare (Lamiaceae) Height to 35cm<br />
Upright, hairy and usually unbranched perennial that grows in dry, grassy places, mostly on chalk or limestone soils. The whole plant is pleasantly aromatic. FLOWERS are 15-22mm long and pinkish purple; borne in whorls that have bristly, purple bracts that are coated in woolly hairs and arise from axils of the upper leaves (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in S and E England but scarce or absent elsewhere in the region.
    131792.jpg
  • BORAGE Borago officinalis (Boraginaceae)  Height to 30cm<br />
Robust and bristly annual. Found growing on disturbed ground and sometimes on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 20-25mm across, the 5 blue petal-like corolla lobes alternating with purplish calyx teeth; note also the projecting column of anthers (May-Jul).  FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval; lower ones are stalked, upper ones clasp the stem.
    106252.jpg
  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
    115459.jpg
  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
    144402.jpg
  • ENCHANTER’S-NIGHTSHADE Circaea lutetiana (Onograceae) Height to 65cm. Delicate and slightly downy perennial of woodland and hedgerows. FLOWERS are small with white petals; borne in loose spikes above the leaves (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are club-shaped and bristly. LEAVES are 10cm long, oval, heart-shaped at the base and gently toothed, with round stalks. STATUS-Common and widespread, except in the N.
    140220.jpg
  • BLACK MUSTARD Brassica nigra (Brassicaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Robust, greyish annual. Often found on sea cliffs, riverbanks and waste ground. FLOWERS are 12-15mm across with 4 yellow petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and pressed close to stem. LEAVES are stalked, the lower ones pinnately lobed and bristly. STATUS-Locally common in England and Wales; rather scarce elsewhere.
    130624.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
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  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
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  • ENCHANTER’S-NIGHTSHADE Circaea lutetiana (Onograceae) Height to 65cm. Delicate and slightly downy perennial of woodland and hedgerows. FLOWERS are small with white petals; borne in loose spikes above the leaves (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are club-shaped and bristly. LEAVES are 10cm long, oval, heart-shaped at the base and gently toothed, with round stalks. STATUS-Common and widespread, except in the N.
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  • PURPLE SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga oppositifolia (Saxifragaceae) Creeping. Mat-forming perennial with trailing stems. Found on mountains, but also on coastal rocks in the N. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across and purple (Mar-Apr). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are small, dark green and have bristly margins; in opposite pairs. STATUS-Locally common in N England and Scotland; rare in N Wales and NW Ireland.
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  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
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  • Bristly Ox-tongue - Helminthotheca echioides
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  • The Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Length 16mm. An unusual autumn moth only males of which have wings. Males fly mostly in the daytime but sometimes at night. Females are downy and almost wingless; they are sometimes found near clusters of eggs laid on tree bark. Adult male has chestnut forewings with a white spot on the trailing edge. Flies August–September. Larva is bristly with tufts of yellow and black hairs. Larva feeds on deciduous trees. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • ANNUAL MERCURY Mercurialis annua (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 50cm. Hairless, branched and bushy annual. Found on waste ground and in cultivated soils, often near the sea. FLOWERS are yellowish green and borne in spikes on separate sex plants (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are bristly. LEAVES are narrowly ovate, shiny and toothed. STATUS-Locally common in the S but mainly coastal.
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  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
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  • Bristly Ox-tongue - Helminthotheca echioides
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  • Bristly Ox-tongue - Helminthotheca echioides
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  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
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  • The Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Length 16mm. An unusual autumn moth only males of which have wings. Males fly mostly in the daytime but sometimes at night. Females are downy and almost wingless; they are sometimes found near clusters of eggs laid on tree bark. Adult male has chestnut forewings with a white spot on the trailing edge. Flies August–September. Larva is bristly with tufts of yellow and black hairs. Larva feeds on deciduous trees. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
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  • SEA-HOLLY Eryngium maritimum (Apiaceae) Height to 60cm<br />
Distinctive, hairless perennial of coastal shingle and sand. FLOWERS are blue and borne in globular umbels, up to 4cm long (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are bristly. LEAVES are waxy, blue-green and holly-like with spiny, white margins and white veins. STATUS-Widespread on the coasts of England, Wales and Ireland; absent from N and E Scotland.
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  • SEA-HOLLY Eryngium maritimum (Apiaceae) Height to 60cm<br />
Distinctive, hairless perennial of coastal shingle and sand. FLOWERS are blue and borne in globular umbels, up to 4cm long (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are bristly. LEAVES are waxy, blue-green and holly-like with spiny, white margins and white veins. STATUS-Widespread on the coasts of England, Wales and Ireland; absent from N and E Scotland.
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  • COMMON HEMP-NETTLE Galeopsis tetrahit (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright, branched and hairy-stemmed annual with stems that are swollen at the nodes. Grows in arable fields and on verges and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long and pinkish, the corolla tube being similar in length to the bristly, toothed and persisting calyx; borne in whorls (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and stalked. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout the region.
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  • GREEN HOUND’S-TONGUE Cynoglossum germanicum (Height to 70cm) is similar to Common Hound’s-tongue but the leaves are green and bristly (not hairy). The flowers are bell-shaped and 5-6mm across (May-Jul). It grows in chalk scrub and hedgerows, mainly on the edge of the Cotswolds.
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  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
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  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
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  • Glanville Fritillary Mellitaea cinxia Wingspan 40mm. A beautifully marked butterfly that is active only in sunshine; remains concealed in cover on overcast days. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underwings are creamy-white and orange-buff. Flies May–June. Larva is black and bristly, with a red head; feeds gregariously on Sea Plantain. Very locally common on undercliffs on Isle of Wight and south Hampshire.
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  • Heath Fritillary - Melitaea athalia - male (top) - typical female (middle) - aberrant female underwing (bottom). Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
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  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • WILD BASIL Clinopodium vulgare (Lamiaceae) Height to 35cm<br />
Upright, hairy and usually unbranched perennial that grows in dry, grassy places, mostly on chalk or limestone soils. The whole plant is pleasantly aromatic. FLOWERS are 15-22mm long and pinkish purple; borne in whorls that have bristly, purple bracts that are coated in woolly hairs and arise from axils of the upper leaves (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in S and E England but scarce or absent elsewhere in the region.
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  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
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  • Bristly Oxtongue - Picris echioides
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  • WOODRUFF Galium odoratum (Rubiaceae) Height to 25cm<br />
Upright, hairless and square-stemmed perennial. Found in shady woodlands, mostly on calcareous soils; spreads and forms carpets in suitable locations. Whole plant smells of hay. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across, white, 4-petalled and star-shaped; in clusters (May-Jun). FRUITS are nutlets with hooked bristles. LEAVES are lanceolate and borne in whorls of 6 to 8; leaf margins are bristly. STATUS-Locally common, except in N.
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  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
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  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Water Vole Arvicola terrestris Length 20-32cm Charming waterside mammal, equally at home in water or on a river bank. Adult has plump body and reddish brown fur. Head is relatively large and rounded. Front feet grasp vegetation while eating. Hind feet are used for swimming. Tail is bristly and relatively shorter than Brown Rat, which has a naked tail. Mostly silent. Likes clean, slow flowing or still waters with marginal vegetation and steep, muddy banks into which it burrows. Thrives only where habitat is maintained and predatory American Mink are controlled.
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  • LARGE-FLOWERED HEMP-NETTLE Galeopsis speciosa (Lamiaceae)  Height to 50cm. Attractive, branched and bristly-hairy annual with a robust appearance. Grows in cultivated land and on disturbed ground, mainly on peaty soils. FLOWERS are 25-35mm long and yellow with purple on the lower lip, and a corolla tube twice the length of the calyx; borne in whorls (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and stalked.
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