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  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis L 14-15cm. Rather nondescript, streaked brown bird. Forms loose flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked brown upperparts and pale underparts with dark streaks; has buffish yellow flush to flanks and breast, most noticeable in autumn. Has pale, unmarked throat, pale eyering and hint of short, pale supercilium. Legs are pinkish and outer tail feathers are white. Juvenile is similar but with less extensive streaking. Voice Utters a pseet-pseet-pseet call. Descending song is delivered in flight but starts and ends on ground. Status Common and widespread resident. Favours rough, grassy habitats; upland birds move to lowlands outside breeding season and European migrants boost winter numbers.
    157561.jpg
  • Mouse-eared Hawkweed - Pilosella officinarum. Height to 25cm. Variable, hairy perennial. Plant has creeping runners and often forms mats. Stems produce a milky latex when broken. Grows in a wide range of dry, grassy places, from meadows to heaths. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 2-3cm across, with pale yellow florets that have a red stripe below; heads are solitary on leafless stems (May-Oct). FRUITS have unbranched hairs. LEAVES are spoon-shaped, green and hairy above and downy white below; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    157366.jpg
  • White Campion - Silene latifolia. Height to 1m. Hairy, branched perennial of disturbed ground and grassy habitats. Sometimes hybridises with Red Campion. FLOWERS are white, 5-petalled and 25-30mm across; dioecious, male flowers smaller than females (May-Oct). FRUITS have erect teeth. LEAVES are oval and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    157362.jpg
  • Oxeye Daisy - Leucanthemum vulgare (Asteraceae) Height to 60cm. Downy or hairless perennial of dry, grassy meadows and verges, often on disturbed ground. FLOWERS are borne in solitary heads, 30-50mm across, with yellow disc florets and white ray florets (May-Sep). No scales between disc florets. FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are dark green and toothed; lower leaves are spoon-shaped, stalked and form a rosette, stem leaves are pinnately lobed. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    156824.jpg
  • WHITE CLOVER Trifolium repens (Fabaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping, hairless perennial that roots at the nodes. Found in grassy places on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are creamy white, becoming brown with age; borne in long-stalked rounded heads, 2cm across (May-Oct). FRUITS are concealed by the calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate, the rounded leaflets often bearing white mark and translucent lateral veins. STATUS-Widespread and often extremely common throughout the region.
    156510.jpg
  • WHITE CLOVER Trifolium repens (Fabaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping, hairless perennial that roots at the nodes. Found in grassy places on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are creamy white, becoming brown with age; borne in long-stalked rounded heads, 2cm across (May-Oct). FRUITS are concealed by the calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate, the rounded leaflets often bearing white mark and translucent lateral veins. STATUS-Widespread and often extremely common throughout the region.
    156509.jpg
  • WHITE CLOVER Trifolium repens (Fabaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping, hairless perennial that roots at the nodes. Found in grassy places on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are creamy white, becoming brown with age; borne in long-stalked rounded heads, 2cm across (May-Oct). FRUITS are concealed by the calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate, the rounded leaflets often bearing white mark and translucent lateral veins. STATUS-Widespread and often extremely common throughout the region.
    156507.jpg
  • HARE’S-FOOT CLOVER Trifolium arvense (Fabaceae) - Lundy, Devon. Height to 25cm. Charming and distinctive annual that is covered in soft hairs. Found in dry, grassy areas, typically on sandy or gravelly soils. FLOWERS are pale pink and shorter than the filament-like calyx teeth; borne in dense egg-shaped to cylindrical heads, 2-3cm long (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are concealed by the calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate and comprise narrow leaflets that are barely toothed. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in England and Wales; absent from N Scotland and mainly coastal in Ireland.
    155427.jpg
  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    143169.jpg
  • NARROW-FRUITED CORNSALAD Valerianella dentata (Valerianaceae) Height to 20cm. Branched and almost hairless annual. Grows in dry, grassy and bare places including arable land, old walls and dunes. FLOWERS are 1-2mm across, the corolla pinkish lilac and 5-lobed; borne in flat-topped terminal clusters, 1cm across (Apr-May). FRUITS are flattened and narrowly ovate. LEAVES are spoon-shaped towards the base of the plant but oblong higher up. STATUS-Very rare in southern England.
    141595.jpg
  • COMMON MALLOW Malva sylvestris (Malvaceae) Height to 1.5m. Upright or spreading perennial of grassy verges and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 25-40mm across with 5 purple-veined pink petals, much longer than sepals; in clusters from leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are round, flat capsules. LEAVES are rounded at base of plant, 5-lobed on stem. STATUS-Widespread and common in S; scarce elsewhere.
    141474.jpg
  • WOOD DOCK Rumex sanguineus (Polygonaceae) Height to 1m. Upright, straggly and branched perennial of grassy woodland rides and shady meadows. FLOWERS are borne in spikes; leafy only at the base (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have a single elongated wart. LEAVES are oval; basal ones are heart-shaped at base, sometimes red-veined and never waisted. STATUS-Widespread and common, mainly absent from Scotland.
    141472.jpg
  • COMMON DODDER Cuscuta epithymum (Cuscutaceae) Climbing. Bizarre, parasitic and leafless plant that lacks chlorophyll and gains its nutrition from host plants, which include Heather, clovers and other herbaceous plants. Found in grassy places and on heaths, the slender, red stems twining through the vegetation. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across, pink and borne in dense clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Locally common in S; scarce elsewhere.
    141451.jpg
  • COMMON KNAPWEED Centaurea nigra (Asteraceae) Height to 1m. Downy or hairy perennial that branches towards the top of the plant. The stems are stiff and grooved and are often swollen beneath the base of the flowers. Grows in a wide range of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 2-4cm across, with reddish purple florets and a swollen, hard base covered in brown bracts; heads are usually solitary (Jun-Sep). FRUITS do not have pappus hairs. LEAVES are narrow, those near the base of the plant are slightly lobed. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    141410.jpg
  • TORMENTIL Potentilla erecta (Rosaceae) Height to 30cm<br />
Creeping, downy perennial of grassy places, heaths and moors. FLOWERS are 7-11mm across with 4 yellow petals; borne on slender stalks (May-Sep). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are unstalked and trifoliate, but appear 5-lobed because of two large, leaflet-like stipules at the base. STATUS-Widespread and often abundant.
    141402.jpg
  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    141299.jpg
  • MEADOW SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga granulata (Saxifragaceae) Height to 45cm. Attractive, hairy perennial of grassy meadows, mainly on neutral or basic soils. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 white petals; borne in open clusters (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are kidney-shaped with blunt teeth; bulbils are produced at leaf axils in autumn. STATUS-Local, commonest in E England.
    137763.jpg
  • GORSE Ulex europaeus (Fabaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Evergreen shrub with straight, grooved spines, 15-25mm long. Found on heaths and grassy places, mainly on acid soils. FLOWERS are 2cm long, bright yellow and coconut-scented with 4-5mm-long basal bracts (Jan-Dec, but mainly Feb-May). FRUITS are hairy pods. LEAVES are trifoliate when young. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    136861.jpg
  • WILD LIQUORICE Astragalus glycophyllos (Fabaceae) Height to 30cm. Sprawling, hairless perennial with branched, zigzag stems. Found in dry, grassy places on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and yellowish green; in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are curved and up to 4cm long. LEAVES are 15-20cm long with oval leaflets and large basal stipules. STATUS-Local, mainly E England and S Scotland.
    134342.jpg
  • GREATER BROOMRAPE Orobanche rapum-genistae (Orobanchaceae) Height to 80cm. Impressive plant and the tallest of its kind in the region. Stems are yellowish and distinctly swollen at the base. Parasitic on the roots of Broom and gorse. Found on grassy banks and heaths. FLOWERS are 20-25mm long, the corolla yellow tinged purple and the filaments hairless at the base; borne in upright spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Widespread but scarce, occurring mainly in England and Wales.
    134147.jpg
  • BIRD’S-FOOT CLOVER or FENUGREEK Trifolium ornithopodioides (Fabaceae) Prostrate. Low-growing, hairless annual that is easily overlooked. Found in dry, grassy places, usually on sand or gravel. FLOWERS are 5-8mm long and white or pale pink; in heads of 1-5 (May-Oct). FRUITS are small pods. LEAVES are clover-like and trifoliate with toothed, oval leaflets. STATUS-Very local in S England, Wales and Ireland.
    133706.jpg
  • EARLY FORGET-ME-NOT Myosotis ramosissima (Boraginaceae) Height to 10cm. Downy annual of arable fields, bare grassy places and open woodland. FLOWERS are 2-3mm across, 5-lobed and sky blue; borne in clusters (Apr-Oct). Corolla tube is shorter than calyx tube. FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, basal ones forming a rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common in most parts, except in the far N.
    133647.jpg
  • COMMON SORREL Rumex acetosa (Polygonaceae) Height to 60cm. Variable, usually upright perennial associated with a wide range of grassy habitats. Whole plant often turns red as it goes over. FLOWERS are reddish and borne in slender spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are nut-like with a small tubercle. LEAVES are deep green, arrow-shaped and narrow; taste mildly of vinegar. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    132903.jpg
  • BUGLE Ajuga reptans (Lamiaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Familiar, upright perennial with stems hairy on 2 opposite sides only. Grows in woods and grassy places, usually on damp, heavy soils. Leafy, creeping runners root at intervals. FLOWERS are 15mm long and bluish violet, the lower lip with pale veins. FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate; lower leaves are stalked, upper ones are unstalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and commonest in the S.
    132223.jpg
  • SILVERWEED Potentilla anserina (Rosaceae) Creeping<br />
Low-growing perennial with long, creeping stems. Found in damp, grassy places and on bare ground. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across with 5 yellow petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are divided into up to 12 pairs of leaflets (with tiny ones between them) that are covered in silvery, silky hairs. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    132204.jpg
  • CREEPING CINQUEFOIL Potentilla reptans (Rosaceae) Height to 20cm. Creeping perennial whose trailing stems root at the nodes (unlike Tormentil). Found in grassy places, including verges. FLOWERS are 7-11mm across with 4 yellow petals (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are long-stalked, hairless and divided into 5-7 leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    132198.jpg
  • ASPARAGUS Asparagus officinalis (Liliaceae) Height to 1.5m<br />
Branched, hairless perennial that is either upright or prostrate. Young shoots are the familiar vegetable. Grows in free-draining grassy places. FLOWERS are 4-6mm long, greenish and bell-shaped; borne in leaf axils, with separate sex plants (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are red berries. LEAVES are reduced to tiny bracts; what appear to be leaves are in fact slender, branched stems. STATUS- Garden Asparagus (ssp. officinalis) is locally naturalised; prostrate Wild Asparagus (ssp. prostratus) grows on sea cliffs in SW.
    132017.jpg
  • DRAGON’S-TEETH Tetragonolobus maritimus (Fabaceae) Height to 10cm. Hairy, grey-green and sprawling perennial. Found in grassy places on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 2-2.5cm long and pale yellow; solitary, on long stalks (May-Aug). FRUITS are 5cm long, deep brown and 4-angled. LEAVES are trifoliate with triangular stipules. STATUS-Extremely local in SE England and probably introduced.
    132006.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
  • EYEBRIGHT Euphrasia officinalis agg. (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 25cm. Branched or unbranched annual, semi-parasitic on roots of other plants and sometimes tinged reddish. The plant’s appearance is extremely variable and 30 or so species are recognised. However, an expert eye and considerable experience is needed to discern the differences. Given the limited space available in this book, here all Eyebrights are considered as a single aggregate species. Grows in undisturbed grassy places. FLOWERS are 5-10mm long (depending on the ‘species’ involved), the corolla 2-lipped (the lower lip 3-lobed) and whitish (sometimes tinged pink) with purple veins and a yellow throat; borne in leafy spikes (May-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval but sharply toothed, sometimes tinged bronze. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131831.jpg
  • STRAWBERRY CLOVER Trifolium fragiferum (Fabaceae) Height to 15cm. Perennial with creeping stems that root at the nodes. Found in grassy places, mainly on clay and often near the sea. FLOWERS are pink and borne in globular heads, 10-15mm across (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are inflated, pinkish heads that resemble pale berries. LEAVES are trefoil with oval, unmarked leaflets. STATUS-Local in S; mainly coastal.
    131826.jpg
  • WHITE MELILOT Melilotus albus (Fabaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Distinctive, upright and hairless biennial. Found in grassy places and disturbed soils on waste ground. FLOWERS are white and borne in spikes up to 7cm long (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are brown, veined pods. LEAVES comprise 3 oblong leaflets. STATUS-Introduced but locally established in parts of S and E England.
    131820.jpg
  • PERENNIAL SOW-THISTLE Sonchus arvensis (Asteraceae) Height to 2m. Impressive perennial that grow in damp, grassy places and on disturbed ground. Broken stems exude a milky sap. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 4-5cm across, with yellow florets; heads are carried in branched, umbel-like clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are ribbed and flattened with feathery pappus hairs forming a ‘clock’. LEAVES are narrow, shiny, dark green above and greyish below, with pinnate lobes and soft marginal spines; clasping, rounded auricles at base. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    131806.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
  • TWIGGY MULLEIN Verbascum virgatum. Height to 1.5m. Slender, glandular-hairy biennial of dry grassy places. Flowers 1-2cm across, yellow, in groups of 1-5; flower stalks shorter than calyx (June-Sept). Fruits capsules. Leaves heart-shaped at the base, the upper ones slightly clasping. Status rare; restricted as a native to Devon, Cornwall and the Scilly Isles; occasional elsewhere.
    131707.jpg
  • CREEPING THISTLE Cirsium arvense (Asteraceae) Height to 1m. Creeping perennial with upright, unwinged and mostly spineless flowering stems. Grows in disturbed ground and grassy areas. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 10-15mm across, with pinkish lilac florets and darker bracts; heads are carried in clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS have feathery pappus hairs. LEAVES are pinnately lobed and spiny, the upper leaves clasping. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    131585.jpg
  • ALSIKE CLOVER Trifolium hybridum (Fabaceae) Height to 60cm. Hairless perennial. Similar to White Clover but upright (not creeping), never roots at the nodes and has unmarked leaves. Found in grassy places and on verges. FLOWERS are whitish at first but turn pink or brown with age; borne in stalked heads, 2cm across (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are concealed by calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate with unmarked leaflets. STATUS-Widespread fairly common, often as a relict of cultivation.
    131454.jpg
  • WHITE MULLEIN Verbascum lychnitis (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Upright biennial. Stems are rounded below but angled and downy above. Grows in dry, grassy places, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across, 5-lobed and white with whitish hairs on all the stamens; borne in branched spikes (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules. LEAVES are ovate, shiny dark green above and downy below. STATUS-Local and rather scarce in S England; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131437.jpg
  • SMOOTH HAWK’S-BEARD Crepis capillaris (Asteraceae) Height to 80cm. Hairless and branched annual or biennial of dry, grassy places. FLOWERS in heads, 15-25mm across, with yellow florets and 2 rows of bracts, the outer ones spreading; heads in branched clusters (Jun-Oct). FRUITS have a pappus of unbranched hairs. LEAVES are pinnate, upper ones with clasping arrow-shaped bases. STATUS-Common.
    131407.jpg
  • CORN PARSLEY Petroselinum segetum (Apiaceae) Height to 60cm. Slender and rather wiry, hairless and dark grey-green perennial that smells of Parsley. Found in grassy places and hedges, usually near the sea. FLOWERS are white and borne in open umbels, 3-5cm across; these are open and irregular, due to unequal length of rays (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are pinnate with ovate, toothed leaflets. STATUS-Local and mainly coastal in S England and S Wales only.
    131397.jpg
  • CORN PARSLEY Petroselinum segetum (Apiaceae) Height to 60cm. Slender and rather wiry, hairless and dark grey-green perennial that smells of Parsley. Found in grassy places and hedges, usually near the sea. FLOWERS are white and borne in open umbels, 3-5cm across; these are open and irregular, due to unequal length of rays (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are pinnate with ovate, toothed leaflets. STATUS-Local and mainly coastal in S England and S Wales only.
    131398.jpg
  • CORN PARSLEY Petroselinum segetum (Apiaceae) Height to 60cm. Slender and rather wiry, hairless and dark grey-green perennial that smells of Parsley. Found in grassy places and hedges, usually near the sea. FLOWERS are white and borne in open umbels, 3-5cm across; these are open and irregular, due to unequal length of rays (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are pinnate with ovate, toothed leaflets. STATUS-Local and mainly coastal in S England and S Wales only.
    131394.jpg
  • COMMON DODDER Cuscuta epithymum (Cuscutaceae) * Climbing. Bizarre, parasitic and leafless plant that lacks chlorophyll and gains its nutrition from host plants, which include Heather, clovers and other herbaceous plants. Found in grassy places and on heaths, the slender, red stems twining through the vegetation. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across, pink and borne in dense clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Locally common in S; scarce elsewhere.
    131376.jpg
  • DEPTFORD PINK Dianthus armeria (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 60cm. Dark green, slightly hairy annual. Found in dry, grassy places, mainly on chalk or sandy soils. FLOWERS are 9-13mm across, with reddish pink petals that have toothed margins and pale spots; borne in clusters (Jun-Aug). Note the long bracts. FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow. STATUS-Widespread but generally scarce and local.
    131368.jpg
  • COMMON CENTAURY Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) Height to 25cm. Variable, hairless annual that is found in dry, grassy places, including verges, chalk downland and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, unstalked and pink with 5 petal-like lobes that open fully only in sunshine; borne in terminal clusters and on side shoots (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval, those on the stem narrower than the basal ones (10-20mm across), which form a rosette; all leaves have 3-7 veins. STATUS-Widespread and common, except Scotland. Note-dwarf form var. capitatum (so-called Dumpy Centaury) occurs on coasts of England and Wales.
    131347.jpg
  • GREAT MULLEIN Verbascum thapsus (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 2m. Robust, upright biennial that is covered in a thick coating of white, woolly hairs. Grows in dry, grassy places, on roadside verges and waste ground. FLOWERS are 15-35mm across, 5-lobed and yellow, with whitish hairs on the upper 3 stamens only; borne in tall, dense spikes, sometimes with side branches (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules. LEAVES are ovate and woolly; form a basal rosette in 1st year from which tall, leafy stalks arise in 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131328.jpg
  • HARD RUSH Juncus inflexus (Juncaceae) Height to 1.2m<br />
Tufted perennial with stiff, ridged and bluish or greyish green stems. Grows in damp, grassy places but avoids acid soils. FLOWERS are brown and borne in loose clusters below a long bract (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are brown and egg-shaped with a tiny point. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Widespread and common except in the N.
    131299.jpg
  • COMMON MARSH-BEDSTRAW Galium palustre (Rubiaceae) Height to 70cm. Delicate, straggling perennial with rather rough stems. Grows in damp, grassy places. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across, white and 4-petalled; borne in open clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are wrinkled nutlets. LEAVES are narrow, widest towards the tip and not bristle-tipped; in whorls of 4-6. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    131212.jpg
  • WHITE CLOVER Trifolium repens (Fabaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping, hairless perennial that roots at the nodes. Found in grassy places on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are creamy white, becoming brown with age; borne in long-stalked rounded heads, 2cm across (May-Oct). FRUITS are concealed by the calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate, the rounded leaflets often bearing white mark and translucent lateral veins. STATUS-Widespread and often extremely common throughout the region.
    131178.jpg
  • COMMON VALERIAN Valeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae) * Height to 1.5m. Upright, usually unbranched perennial. Grows in grassy, wayside places, beside rivers and in woodland; favours both dry and damp soil, growing tallest in latter situation. FLOWERS are 3-5mm long, the corolla funnel-shaped, 5-lobed and pale pink; borne in dense, terminal umbels (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are oblong with a feathery pappus. LEAVES are lanceolate, toothed and in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131166.jpg
  • HARE’S-FOOT CLOVER Trifolium arvense (Fabaceae) Height to 25cm. Charming and distinctive annual that is covered in soft hairs. Found in dry, grassy areas, typically on sandy or gravelly soils. FLOWERS are pale pink and shorter than the filament-like calyx teeth; borne in dense egg-shaped to cylindrical heads, 2-3cm long (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are concealed by the calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate and comprise narrow leaflets that are barely toothed. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in England and Wales; absent from N Scotland and mainly coastal in Ireland.
    131161.jpg
  • COMMON BROOMRAPE Orobanche minor (Orobanchaceae) Height to 40cm. Upright, unbranched annual that usually has a purplish-tinged stem. Whole plant lacks chlorophyll and is entirely parasitic on the roots of Pea family members, notably clovers, and other herbaceous plants. Found in grassy places and scrub, and on verges. FLOWERS are 10-18mm long, the corolla pinkish yellow with purple veins, tubular with smoothly curved dorsal surface, and 2-lipped; in open, upright spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Locally common in central and S England, Wales and S Ireland.
    131131.jpg
  • RED CAMPION Silene dioica (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Hairy biennial or perennial of hedgerows, grassy banks and wayside places generally. FLOWERS are reddish pink and 20-30mm across; male flowers are smaller than females and on separate plants (Mar-Oct). FRUITS reveal 10 reflexed teeth when ripe. LEAVES are hairy and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    130957.jpg
  • HAIRY BUTTERCUP Ranunculus sardous (Ranunculaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairy annual of grassy places, especially near the coast. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across with 5 pale yellow petals and reflexed sepals (May-Oct). FRUITS have a green border inside which they are adorned with warts. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobed and mainly basal. STATUS-Local, mainly in the south and in coastal habitats.
    130922.jpg
  • HAIRY BUTTERCUP Ranunculus sardous (Ranunculaceae) Hieght to 40cm. Hairy annual of grassy places, especially near the coast. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across with 5 pale yellow petals and reflexed sepals (May-Oct). FRUITS have a green border inside which they are adorned with warts. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobed and mainly basal. STATUS-Local, mainly in the south and in coastal habitats.
    130909.jpg
  • CHIVES Allium schoenoprasum (Liliaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Tufted, bulbous perennial of damp, grassy places on limestone rocks. FLOWERS are purplish and borne in heads, 2-4cm across, comprising 10-30 flowers and 2 papery bracts; stamens do not project (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green, hollow and cylindrical. STATUS-Widely cultivated; local native plant, mainly in W.
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  • SMALL-FLOWERED CRANE’S-BILL Geranium pusillum (Geraniaceae) Height to 30cm. Spreading, branched annual. Similar to Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill but with shorter hairs. Found in dry, grassy places and on bare ground. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across with notched pink petals (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are hairy. LEAVES are deeply cut into 5-7 narrow lobes. STATUS-Widespread but commonest in S and E England.
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  • MEADOW SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga granulata (Saxifragaceae) Height to 45cm. Attractive, hairy perennial of grassy meadows, mainly on neutral or basic soils. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 white petals; borne in open clusters (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are kidney-shaped with blunt teeth; bulbils are produced at leaf axils in autumn. STATUS-Local, commonest in E England.
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  • CREEPING BUTTERCUP Ranunculus repens (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Often unwelcome perennial of lawns and other grassy places. Long, rooting runners aid its spread. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 yellow petals and upright sepals; borne on furrowed stalks (May-Aug). FRUITS are borne in rounded heads. LEAVES are hairy and divided into 3 lobes; middle lobe is stalked. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • ROUND-LEAVED MINT Mentha suaveolens (Lamiaceae) Height to 70cm. Extremely aromatic perennial that smells distinctly of apples. Has both creeping and upright stems and the whole plant, especially the undersides of the leaves, have a thick coat of woolly hairs. Grows in damp, grassy places. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and lilac; borne in dense spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval to rounded, hairy and wrinkled. STATUS-Native in W but also escapes from cultivation.
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  • COMMON CORNSALAD Valerianella locusta (Valerianaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched and almost hairless annual. Grows in dry, grassy and bare places including arable land, old walls and dunes. FLOWERS are 1-2mm across, the corolla pinkish lilac and 5-lobed; borne in flat-topped terminal clusters, 1-2cm across (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and rather ovate. LEAVES are spoon-shaped towards the base of the plant but oblong higher up. STATUS-Widespread across the region but only locally common.
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  • BARREN STRAWBERRY Potentilla sterilis (Rosaceae) Height to 15cm. Hairy perennial with long, rooting runners. Favours dry, grassy places and woodland rides. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across with 5 white and widely separated petals (Mar-May). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are bluish green and trifoliate, the terminal tooth of end leaflet is shorter than adjacent ones. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • LESSER SKULLCAP Scutellaria minor (Lamiaceae) Height to 15cm. Creeping, square-stemmed and hairless perennial with upright flowering stalks. Grows in damp, grassy places on acid soils. FLOWERS are 6-10mm long and pink with 2 lips, the lower one being marked with purplish spots; borne on leafy, upright stems, mainly towards the top (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are lanceolate to oval and typically almost untoothed. STATUS-Widespread and locally common, mainly in S.
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  • SICKLE MEDICK Medicago sativa ssp. falcata (Height to 70cm) is native form of cultivated Lucerne from which it differs in its yellow flowers and its sickle-shaped (not spiral) pods. It grows in grassy places in the Brecks, and is sometimes found on roadside verges.
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  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • HEATH LOBELIA Lobelia urens (Campanulaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright, hairless perennial with angled stems. Grows on damp, grassy heaths and along woodland rides, on acid soils. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long, the corolla bluish purple and 2-lipped, with 2 narrow upper lobes and 3 narrow lower lobes; in open spikes on long stalks (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are dark green, oval at the base of the plant, narrow on the stem. STATUS-Local and scarce, mainly Sussex to Devon.
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  • SPREADING BELLFLOWER Campanula patula Height to 60cm. Delicate and slender perennial of dry, grassy places. Flowers 20-25mm long, bell-shaped ans bluish purple; on slender stalks (July-Sep). Fruits dry capsules. Leaves spoon shaped basal leaves and narrow stem ones. Status local and declining.
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  • SMALL RESTHARROW Ononis reclinata (Fabaceae) Height to 15cm. Spreading, stickily hairy and spineless annual. Favours dry, grassy places near the sea. FLOWERS are 10mm long and pink, the petals barely longer than the calyx (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are pendent pods. LEAVES are trifoliate with oval leaflets. STATUS-Restricted to Berry Head in Devon, the Gower Peninsula and the Channel Islands.
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  • BUSH VETCH Vicia sepium (Fabaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Scrambling, slightly downy perennial of rough, grassy places and scrub. FLOWERS are 12-15mm long and pale lilac; borne in groups of 2-6 flowers (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are black, hairless pods. LEAVES comprise 6-12 pairs of broadly oval leaflets and end in branched tendrils. STATUS-Common and widespread throughout.
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  • OXEYE DAISY Leucanthemum vulgare (Asteraceae) Height to 60cm. Downy or hairless perennial of dry, grassy meadows and verges, often on disturbed ground. FLOWERS are borne in solitary heads, 30-50mm across, with yellow disc florets and white ray florets (May-Sep). No scales between disc florets. FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are dark green and toothed; lower leaves are spoon-shaped, stalked and form a rosette, stem leaves are pinnately lobed. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • Height to 40cm. Branched, spreading and variably hairy shrubby perennial. Found in dry, grassy places, mostly on limestone. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across with 5 crinkly, yellow petals (May-Jul). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are very narrow and greyish white below. STATUS-Extremely local in N England, Wales; locally very common in W Ireland.
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  • AUTUMN GENTIAN Gentianella amarella (Gentianaceae) Height to 25cm. Variable and hairless biennial that is often tinged purple. Found in grassy areas, mostly on calcareous soil and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 1cm across and purple, with 4 or 5 corolla lobes and equal calyx lobes; borne in upright spikes (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES form a basal rosette in the first year but wither before the flower stem appears in the second year.
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  • BIRD’S-FOOT CLOVER Trifolium ornithopodioides (Fabaceae)  Prostrate. Low-growing, hairless annual that is easily overlooked. Found in dry, grassy places, usually on sand or gravel. FLOWERS are 5-8mm long and white or pale pink; in heads of 1-5 (May-Oct). FRUITS are small pods. LEAVES are clover-like and trifoliate with toothed, oval leaflets.
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  • CREEPING CINQUEFOIL Potentilla reptans (Rosaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Creeping perennial whose trailing stems root at the nodes (unlike Tormentil). Found in grassy places, including verges. FLOWERS are 7-11mm across with 4 yellow petals (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are long-stalked, hairless and divided into 5-7 leaflets.
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  • YELLOW BARTSIA Parentucellia viscosa (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 40cm. Stickily-hairy, unbranched annual that is semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants. Grow in damp, grassy places, mostly near the sea and often in dune slacks<br />
FLOWERS are 15-35mm long, the corolla bright yellow and 2-lipped, the lower lip 3-lobed; in leafy spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are lanceolate and unstalked. STATUS-Very locally common near coasts of S and SW England and W Ireland.
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  • LUCERNE Medicago sativa ssp. sativa (Fabaceae) Height to 75cm. Downy or hairless perennial. Found in grassy places but also cultivated. FLOWERS are 7-8mm long and borne in stalked heads of 5-40 flowers (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are pods that are spirally twisted. LEAVES are trifoliate with narrow, toothed leaflets that broaden towards the tip. STATUS-Widely naturalised as a relict of cultivation.
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  • COMMON MALLOW Malva sylvestris (Malvaceae) Height to 1.5m. Upright or spreading perennial of grassy verges and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 25-40mm across with 5 purple-veined pink petals, much longer than sepals; in clusters from leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are round, flat capsules. LEAVES are rounded at base of plant, 5-lobed on stem. STATUS-Widespread and common in S; scarce elsewhere.
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  • EYEBRIGHT Euphrasia officinalis agg. (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 25cm. Branched or unbranched annual, semi-parasitic on roots of other plants and sometimes tinged reddish. The plant’s appearance is extremely variable and 30 or so species are recognised. However, an expert eye and considerable experience is needed to discern the differences. Given the limited space available in this book, here all Eyebrights are considered as a single aggregate species. Grows in undisturbed grassy places. FLOWERS are 5-10mm long (depending on the ‘species’ involved), the corolla 2-lipped (the lower lip 3-lobed) and whitish (sometimes tinged pink) with purple veins and a yellow throat; borne in leafy spikes (May-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval but sharply toothed, sometimes tinged bronze. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
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  • HAREBELL Campanula rotundifolia (Campanulaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive and delicate, hairless perennial with wiry stems. Grows in dry, grassy places, both on calcareous and acid soils. FLOWERS are 15mm long, the corolla blue and bell-shaped with sharp, triangular teeth; nodding and borne on slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES comprise rounded ones at the base of the plant, which soon wither, and narrower stem leaves that persist while the plant is in flower. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in SW of the region.
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  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis L 14-15cm. Rather nondescript, streaked brown bird. Forms loose flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked brown upperparts and pale underparts with dark streaks; has buffish yellow flush to flanks and breast, most noticeable in autumn. Has pale, unmarked throat, pale eyering and hint of short, pale supercilium. Legs are pinkish and outer tail feathers are white. Juvenile is similar but with less extensive streaking. Voice Utters a pseet-pseet-pseet call. Descending song is delivered in flight but starts and ends on ground. Status Common and widespread resident. Favours rough, grassy habitats; upland birds move to lowlands outside breeding season and European migrants boost winter numbers.
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  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis L 14-15cm. Rather nondescript, streaked brown bird. Forms loose flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked brown upperparts and pale underparts with dark streaks; has buffish yellow flush to flanks and breast, most noticeable in autumn. Has pale, unmarked throat, pale eyering and hint of short, pale supercilium. Legs are pinkish and outer tail feathers are white. Juvenile is similar but with less extensive streaking. Voice Utters a pseet-pseet-pseet call. Descending song is delivered in flight but starts and ends on ground. Status Common and widespread resident. Favours rough, grassy habitats; upland birds move to lowlands outside breeding season and European migrants boost winter numbers.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis L 14-15cm. Rather nondescript, streaked brown bird. Forms loose flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked brown upperparts and pale underparts with dark streaks; has buffish yellow flush to flanks and breast, most noticeable in autumn. Has pale, unmarked throat, pale eyering and hint of short, pale supercilium. Legs are pinkish and outer tail feathers are white. Juvenile is similar but with less extensive streaking. Voice Utters a pseet-pseet-pseet call. Descending song is delivered in flight but starts and ends on ground. Status Common and widespread resident. Favours rough, grassy habitats; upland birds move to lowlands outside breeding season and European migrants boost winter numbers.
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  • Eyebright - Euphrasia officinalis Height to 25cm. Branched or unbranched annual, semi-parasitic on roots of other plants and sometimes tinged reddish. The plant’s appearance is extremely variable and 30 or so species are recognised. However, an expert eye and considerable experience is needed to discern the differences. Given the limited space available in this book, here all Eyebrights are considered as a single aggregate species. Grows in undisturbed grassy places. FLOWERS are 5-10mm long (depending on the ‘species’ involved), the corolla 2-lipped (the lower lip 3-lobed) and whitish (sometimes tinged pink) with purple veins and a yellow throat; borne in leafy spikes (May-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval but sharply toothed, sometimes tinged bronze. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
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  • Common Centaury - Centaurium erythraea. Height to 25cm. Variable, hairless annual that is found in dry, grassy places, including verges, chalk downland and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, unstalked and pink with 5 petal-like lobes that open fully only in sunshine; borne in terminal clusters and on side shoots (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval, those on the stem narrower than the basal ones (10-20mm across), which form a rosette; all leaves have 3-7 veins. STATUS-Widespread and common, except Scotland. Note-dwarf form var. capitatum (so-called Dumpy Centaury) occurs on coasts of England and Wales.
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  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis L 14-15cm. Rather nondescript, streaked brown bird. Forms loose flocks outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked brown upperparts and pale underparts with dark streaks; has buffish yellow flush to flanks and breast, most noticeable in autumn. Has pale, unmarked throat, pale eyering and hint of short, pale supercilium. Legs are pinkish and outer tail feathers are white. Juvenile is similar but with less extensive streaking. Voice Utters a pseet-pseet-pseet call. Descending song is delivered in flight but starts and ends on ground. Status Common and widespread resident. Favours rough, grassy habitats; upland birds move to lowlands outside breeding season and European migrants boost winter numbers.
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  • High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe Wingspan 60mm. Fast-flying butterfly associated with windswept, open country. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with dark spots; underside of hindwing has brownish scaling. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on violets. Status Scarce and rather endangered, found mainly in W and NW England; favours meadows and open, grassy woodlands.
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  • Common Gull Larus canus - 2nd winter. L 40-42cm. Medium-sized gull. Slimmer bodied and smaller billed, than larger Herring Gull. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings with white trailing margin; black wingtips have white spots. Plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellowish and legs are yellowish green. In winter, similar but with dark streaks on head and neck; bill is duller with dark sub-terminal band. Juvenile has pale-margined brown back feathers and upperwings. Head and underparts are pale with dark streaks while neck and breast look grubby. Adult plumage acquired over 2 years. 1st winter is similar to juvenile but has grey back; bill is pink with dark tip. 2nd winter is similar to adult but with more black on outerwing and broader band on bill. Voice Utters a mewing keeow. Status Locally common. Nests close to water, often inland. Outside breeding season, migrants from Europe boost numbers and then widespread on farmland and grassy fields.
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  • High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe Wingspan 60mm. Fast-flying butterfly associated with windswept, open country. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with dark spots; underside of hindwing has brownish scaling. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on violets. Status Scarce and rather endangered, found mainly in W and NW England; favours meadows and open, grassy woodlands.
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  • High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe Wingspan 60mm. Fast-flying butterfly associated with windswept, open country. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with dark spots; underside of hindwing has brownish scaling. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on violets. Status Scarce and rather endangered, found mainly in W and NW England; favours meadows and open, grassy woodlands.
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  • Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages Wingspan 25mm. The most moth-like of the skippers, with a buzzing flight. Adult has dark grey-brown upperwings; underwings are reddish-brown. Flies May–June. Larva is nocturnal and feeds mainly on Bird’s-foot Trefoil but also related plants. Locally common in England and Wales in meadows and grassy woodland clearings.
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  • High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe Wingspan 60mm. Fast-flying butterfly associated with windswept, open country. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with dark spots; underside of hindwing has brownish scaling. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on violets. Status Scarce and rather endangered, found mainly in W and NW England; favours meadows and open, grassy woodlands.
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  • COMMON CORNSALAD Valerianella locusta (Valerianaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched and almost hairless annual. Grows in dry, grassy and bare places including arable land, old walls and dunes. FLOWERS are 1-2mm across, the corolla pinkish lilac and 5-lobed; borne in flat-topped terminal clusters, 1-2cm across (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and rather ovate. LEAVES are spoon-shaped towards the base of the plant but oblong higher up. STATUS-Widespread across the region but only locally common.
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  • WILD LIQUORICE Astragalus glycophyllos (Fabaceae) Height to 30cm. Sprawling, hairless perennial with branched, zigzag stems. Found in dry, grassy places on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and yellowish green; in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are curved and up to 4cm long. LEAVES are 15-20cm long with oval leaflets and large basal stipules. STATUS-Local, mainly E England and S Scotland.
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  • COMMON CORNSALAD Valerianella locusta (Valerianaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched and almost hairless annual. Grows in dry, grassy and bare places including arable land, old walls and dunes. FLOWERS are 1-2mm across, the corolla pinkish lilac and 5-lobed; borne in flat-topped terminal clusters, 1-2cm across (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and rather ovate. LEAVES are spoon-shaped towards the base of the plant but oblong higher up. STATUS-Widespread across the region but only locally common.
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  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • BUSH VETCH Vicia sepium (Fabaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Scrambling, slightly downy perennial of rough, grassy places and scrub. FLOWERS are 12-15mm long and pale lilac; borne in groups of 2-6 flowers (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are black, hairless pods. LEAVES comprise 6-12 pairs of broadly oval leaflets and end in branched tendrils. STATUS-Common and widespread throughout.
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