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  • FEN RAGWORT Senecio paludosus. Height to 2m. A tall, downy perennial of damp soils. Flowers are yellow and 3-4cm across (June-Aug), and the leaves are narrow, lanceolate toothed and 15-20cm long. Rare and restricted to a few fenland sites.
    131532.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    145030.jpg
  • YELLOW LOOSESTRIFE Lysimachia vulgaris (Primulaceae) Height to 1m. Softly hairy perennial of damp grassland, and often found beside rivers and in fens. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and yellow, with 5 pointed lobes; borne in terminal heads (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, ovate and borne in whorls of 3 or 4; often adorned with black dots. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
    131897.jpg
  • GREAT WILLOWHERB Epilobium hirsutum (Onograceae) Height to 2m. Downy perennial with a round stem. Favours damp habitats such as fens and riverbanks. FLOWERS are 25mm across and pinkish purple with pale centres, and a 4-lobed stigma; in terminal clusters (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are broadly oval, hairy and clasping. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in the N.
    131793.jpg
  • GREATER WATER-PARSNIP Sium latifolium (Apiaceae) Height to 2m. Hairless perennial with hollow, ridged stems. Found in fens on riverbanks. FLOWERS are white and borne in terminal, long-stalked umbels, 6-10cm across (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped and ridged. LEAVES are pinnate with 4-8 pairs of narrow, toothed leaflets plus a terminal one. STATUS-Local, mainly SE England; commonest in E Anglia.
    131545.jpg
  • MARSH HELLEBORINE Epipactis palustris (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright and elegant perennial. Grows in marshes, fens and wet dune-slacks. FLOWERS comprise reddish- or brownish-green sepals, narrow, whitish upper petals that are marked with red, and a frilly, whitish lip marked with red streaks towards the base; borne in open spikes of up to 14 flowers (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are broad and oval towards the base of the plant but narrower up the stem. STATUS-Very locally common in S England, S Wales and S Ireland; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    156663.jpg
  • Swallowtail - Papilio machaon britannicus - female. Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    155547.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    144759.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    109221.jpg
  • Swallowtail - Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus - larva. Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    157504.jpg
  • MARSH HELLEBORINE Epipactis palustris (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright and elegant perennial. Grows in marshes, fens and wet dune-slacks. FLOWERS comprise reddish- or brownish-green sepals, narrow, whitish upper petals that are marked with red, and a frilly, whitish lip marked with red streaks towards the base; borne in open spikes of up to 14 flowers (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are broad and oval towards the base of the plant but narrower up the stem. STATUS-Very locally common in S England, S Wales and S Ireland; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    138041.jpg
  • FEN ORCHID Liparis loeselii (Height to 20cm) has rather curious yellow flowers with narrow, spreading perianth segments; the flowers are borne in spikes (Jun-Jul) that arise from the cup-like arrangement comprising the basal pair of leaves. Fen Orchid grows in a few fen locations in Norfolk, with additional sites in S Wales and N Devon.
    142356.jpg
  • YELLOW LOOSESTRIFE Lysimachia vulgaris (Primulaceae) Height to 1m. Softly hairy perennial of damp grassland, and often found beside rivers and in fens. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across and yellow, with 5 pointed lobes; borne in terminal heads (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, ovate and borne in whorls of 3 or 4; often adorned with black dots. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
    131896.jpg
  • Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, UK
    128712.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    145029.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    145026.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    136580.jpg
  • FEN ORCHID Liparis loeselii (Height to 20cm) has rather curious yellow flowers with narrow, spreading perianth segments; the flowers are borne in spikes (Jun-Jul) that arise from the cup-like arrangement comprising the basal pair of leaves. Fen Orchid grows in a few fen locations in Norfolk, with additional sites in S Wales and N Devon.
    142355.jpg
  • MARSH HELLEBORINE Epipactis palustris (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright and elegant perennial. Grows in marshes, fens and wet dune-slacks. FLOWERS comprise reddish- or brownish-green sepals, narrow, whitish upper petals that are marked with red, and a frilly, whitish lip marked with red streaks towards the base; borne in open spikes of up to 14 flowers (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are broad and oval towards the base of the plant but narrower up the stem. STATUS-Very locally common in S England, S Wales and S Ireland; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    144555.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    145033.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    145027.jpg
  • DEWBERRY Rubus caesius (Rosaceae) Height to 10cm<br />
Creeping perennial whose biennial stems bear weak prickles. Found in dry, grassy places but also in fens and dune slacks. FLOWERS are 2-2.5cm across with 5 white petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are bluish black, the large segments covered in a plum-like bloom. LEAVES are trifoliate and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131993.jpg
  • MARSH PEA Lathyrus palustris (Fabaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Slender, climbing perennial with winged stems. Found in fens and damp, grassy places on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 2cm long and pinkish purple; in long-stalked groups of 2-8 flowers (May-Jul). FRUITS are flat pods, 5cm long. LEAVES have 2-5 pairs of narrow leaflets and branched tendrils. STATUS-Extremely local; absent from Scotland.
    131988.jpg
  • GREATER WATER-PARSNIP Sium latifolium (Apiaceae) Height to 2m. Hairless perennial with hollow, ridged stems. Found in fens on riverbanks. FLOWERS are white and borne in terminal, long-stalked umbels, 6-10cm across (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped and ridged. LEAVES are pinnate with 4-8 pairs of narrow, toothed leaflets plus a terminal one. STATUS-Local, mainly SE England; commonest in E Anglia.
    131516.jpg
  • Swallowtail - Papilio machaon britannicus - female. Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    156733.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    145031.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    101708.jpg
  • GREAT WILLOWHERB Epilobium hirsutum (Onograceae) Height to 2m. Downy perennial with a round stem. Favours damp habitats such as fens and riverbanks. FLOWERS are 25mm across and pinkish purple with pale centres, and a 4-lobed stigma; in terminal clusters (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are broadly oval, hairy and clasping. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in the N.
    131780.jpg
  • Swallowtail Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    145028.jpg
  • GREATER SPEARWORT Ranunculus lingua (Ranunculaceae) Height to 1m. Robust and upright perennial of fens and the shallow margins of ponds and lakes. Plant has long runners. FLOWERS are 20-40mm across with 5 yellow petals; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are rough and winged, with a curved beak. LEAVES are narrow, 25cm long and sometimes toothed. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    131586.jpg
  • GREATER BIRD’S-FOOT-TREFOIL Lotus pedunculatus (Fabaceae) Height to 50cm. Hairy, hollow-stemmed perennial found in damp grassy places and fens. FLOWERS are 15mm long and yellow; in heads on stalks up to 15cm long (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are slender pods; splayed like a bird’s foot when ripe. LEAVES have 5 dark green leaflets but appear trifoliate (lower pair sited at stalk base). STATUS-Locally common.
    131989.jpg
  • GREAT WILLOWHERB Epilobium hirsutum (Onograceae) Height to 2m. Downy perennial with a round stem. Favours damp habitats such as fens and riverbanks. FLOWERS are 25mm across and pinkish purple with pale centres, and a 4-lobed stigma; in terminal clusters (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are broadly oval, hairy and clasping. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in the N.
    131779.jpg
  • GREATER SPEARWORT Ranunculus lingua (Ranunculaceae) Height to 1m. Robust and upright perennial of fens and the shallow margins of ponds and lakes. Plant has long runners. FLOWERS are 20-40mm across with 5 yellow petals; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are rough and winged, with a curved beak. LEAVES are narrow, 25cm long and sometimes toothed. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    131558.jpg
  • Marsh Helleborine - Epipactis palustris
    159881.jpg
  • Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil - Lotus pedunculatus
    161365.jpg
  • Fen Raft Spider - Dolomedes plantarius- spiderling nursery
    156760.jpg
  • Fen Raft Spider - Dolomedes plantarius- spiderling nursery
    156758.jpg
  • Fen Grassland
    128041.jpg
  • Milk-parsley (Peucedanum palustre) HEIGHT to 1.5m. Hairless biennial with ridged stems that are often blotched purple. The unbels of white flowers, 3-8cm across, have long, sometimes forked, bracts below (July-Sept) and the leaves are deeply pinnately divided. It grows in East Anglian fens.
    112220.jpg
  • Fen Raft Spider - Dolomedes plantarius - unstriped adult female
    156759.jpg
  • Fen Raft Spider - Dolomedes plantarius
    156755.jpg
  • Saw/Great Fen Sedge (Cladium mariscus) HEIGHT to 2.5m. Imposing plant of fens and lake margins. Sometimes forms dense stands, and still cut commercially in E Anglia. FLOWERS Glossy reddish-brown spikelets, in branched clusters (July- Aug). FRUITS shiny, dark brown. LEAVES Long, saw-edged, often bent at an angle.
    106536.jpg
  • Fen Raft Spider - Dolomedes plantarius- spiderling nursery
    156757.jpg
  • Fen Raft Spider - Dolomedes plantarius - female guarding nursery of spiderlings
    156756.jpg
  • MARSH STITCHWORT Stellaria palustris (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 60cm. Rather straggly perennial of fens and marshes. Similar to Greater Stitchwort but with smooth stems and smooth-edged leaves. FLOWERS are white with 5 deeply notched petals and 12-20mm across (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and narrow. STATUS-Extremely local.
    131246.jpg
  • COWBANE Cicuta virosa (Apiaceae)  Height to 1m<br />
Robust, upright and hairless perennial with hollow, ridged stems. Found in damp habitats, including fens and marshes, and sometimes partly aquatic. Extremely poisonous. FLOWERS are white and borne in domed umbels that are 11-13cm across; bracts re absent (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are globular and ridged, with prominent styles. LEAVES are dark green, 2- 3-pinnate and divided into narrow leaflets.
    106155.jpg
  • Grey Willow - Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    157535.jpg
  • Grey Willow Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    102364.jpg
  • Grey Willow - Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    157534.jpg
  • Grey Willow Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    133640.jpg
  • Grey Willow Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    135119.jpg
  • Grey Willow Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    135414.jpg
  • Grey Willow Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    133641.jpg
  • Grey Willow Salix cinerea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Variable, usually a large shrub or sometimes a small tree with characteristic thick, downy, grey twigs. Represented by ssp. cinerea and ssp. oleifolia (pka S. c. atrocinerea or S. atrocinerea). SHOOTS If bark is peeled off 2-year-old twigs, wood shows a series of fine longitudinal ridges. LEAVES Oblong and pointed, usually about 4 times as long as broad, on short petioles with irregular stipules. Leaves often have inrolled margins and are grey and downy below. Upper surface is matt and downy in ssp. cinerea but glossy and hairless in ssp. oleifolia. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in early spring on separate trees, before leaves: male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins similar but greener, eventually releasing finely plumed seeds. This species and Goat Willow S. caprea, are often called ‘Pussy Willow’ when their silky-grey buds, resembling cats’ paws, followed by bright-yellow catkins, appear in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common across much of our region usually growing in wet habitats such as fenlands, streamsides and damp woodlands
    102363.jpg