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  • LIMESTONE WOUNDWORT Stachys alpina (Lamiaceae) Height to 80cm. Creeping and patch-forming, softly hairy perennial with upright flowering stems. Superficially similar to Hedge Woundwort but the plant is not scented when bruised. Grows in open woodland and on rocky ground on limestone. FLOWERS are 15-22mm long, often with creamy yellow markings; borne in whorls in open, leafy spikes (Jun-Aug).  FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are stalked and heart-shaped with rounded teeth. STATUS-Rare and restricted to protected sites in Gloucestshire and N Wales.
    131256.jpg
  • BANEBERRY Actaea spicata (Ranunculaceae)  Height to 70cm. Robust and hairless perennial of woodland (typically Ash) on limestone, and limestone pavements. FLOWERS are white and feathery with 4-6 petals; borne in spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are berries (green at first but ripening black). LEAVES are pinnately divided into toothed lobes. STATUS-Local, restricted to N England.
    115976.jpg
  • ANGULAR SOLOMON’S SEAL Polygonatum odoratum (Liliaceae) Height to 50cm. Creeping perennial with angled, arching stems. Grows on rocky ground, mainly on limestone, sometimes in limestone pavements. FLOWERS are bell-shaped, not waisted, and white; in clusters of 1-2, arising from leaf axils (May-Jun). FRUITS are blackish berries. LEAVES are ovate and alternate. STATUS-Local, mainly in N and NW England.
    137914.jpg
  • Dark Red Helleborine - Epipactis atrorubens (Orchidaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, downy and rather distinctive perennial that grows on limestone soils. FLOWERS comprise rather broad sepals and upper petals, and a broad heart-shaped lip, all of which are dark reddish purple; borne in spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are pear-shaped and downy. LEAVES are oval and tinged purple. STATUS-Very local and restricted to N England, N Wales, NW Scotland and W Ireland.
    156554.jpg
  • Limestone pavement, Yorkshire Dales, UK
    145292.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    144427.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    135442.jpg
  • Cliff Whitebeam Sorbus rupicola (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m<br />
A small tree, and often little more than a shrub (lumped within S. aria agg. by some authors). LEAVES Narrowly obovate with shallow, sharply-toothed lobes conspicuous only on distal third of leaf; teeth curve on the outer edge and are all directed towards the apex. Leaves are densely woolly underneath and there are 7-9 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits ripen bright red, to 15mm long with many lenticels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scattered across north and west Britain, found mainly on limestone.
    135432.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    134435.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    114939.jpg
  • HUTCHINSIA Hornungia petraea (Brassicaceae) Height to 15cm. Delicate, usually branching annual of limestone and sandy soils. FLOWERS are 1mm across with 4 whitish petals (Mar-May). FRUITS are flattened, elliptical pods. LEAVES are pinnately divided; basal ones are stalked and form a rosette; stems leaves unstalked. STATUS-Local and scarce in W, mainly Mendips and Gower to N Yorkshire.
    129901.jpg
  • WILD COTONEASTER Cotoneaster cambricus (Rosaceae) Height to 90cm. Dense, deciduous shrub. Found in rocky places, typically on limestone. FLOWERS are tiny, with 5 pink petals; in clusters of 2-3 (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are bright red, spherical berries. LEAVES are 15-40mm long, rounded-oval and downy grey beneath. STATUS-Rare and restricted to Great Orme’s Head in N Wales.
    126765.jpg
  • Dark Red Helleborine - Epipactis atrorubens (Orchidaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, downy and rather distinctive perennial that grows on limestone soils. FLOWERS comprise rather broad sepals and upper petals, and a broad heart-shaped lip, all of which are dark reddish purple; borne in spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are pear-shaped and downy. LEAVES are oval and tinged purple. STATUS-Very local and restricted to N England, N Wales, NW Scotland and W Ireland.
    156552.jpg
  • Limestone Pavement Damage, Carnforth, UK
    117911.jpg
  • Limestone Pavement near Ingleborough, Yorkshire, UK
    145291.jpg
  • Sorbus porrigentiformis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 5m<br />
A shrub or sometimes a small tree. LEAVES Obovate to ovate, the margins toothed, the teeth largest on the distal half; white woolly below with 8-10 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits are crimson, to 12mm long with a few large lenticels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Confined mainly to SW England and S Wales, growing on limestone.
    134733.jpg
  • Small shrub. LEAVES Narrowly oval with shallow, rounded lobes, mainly on distal half; tip is pointed and there are 8-9 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits scarlet, to 8mm long, with small lenticels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare, on limestone in Breconshire.
    134729.jpg
  • Serbian Spruce Picea omorika (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Narrowly conical to columnar tree, with a slender form unlike all other spruces. BARK Orange-brown and scaly in older trees. BRANCHES Lower branches are slightly descending with raised tips, higher branches being mostly level or ascending. All branches are short. LEAVES Flattened and keeled needles, to 2cm long, may be blunt or barely pointed, dark blue-green above with 2 pale bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are large and red, becoming yellow when releasing pollen. Female cones grow on curving stalks and are up to 6cm long, ovoid and blue-green at first, ripening to brown. Cone scales are rounded with finely toothed margins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of limestone rocks of the Drina basin of Serbia, unknown until 1875, but now a popular ornamental tree
    134664.jpg
  • Sorbus leyana (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m (often much shorter). Small tree or smaller shrub. LEAVES Oval, with deep lobes, cut to around half way to midrib, on proximal half; tip is rounded and there are 9-10 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits scarlet, to 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare, on limestone crags in Breconshire.
    134543.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    133834.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    133008.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    132496.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    130195.jpg
  • JACOB’S-LADDER Polemonium caeruleum (Polemoniaceae) Height to 1m. Attractive, upright perennial of grassy places and scree slopes in limestone areas. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and bright blue with 5 petal-like corolla lobes; in spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are alternate and pinnate with 6-12 pairs of leaflets. STATUS-Locally native in N England; naturalised elsewhere.
    136416.jpg
  • Bristol Rock-cress Arabis scabra (formerly A. stricta) Height to 5cm. Small crucifer. Leaves are shiny and hairy, forming a basal rosette. Flowers are 3-5mm across with 4 white petals; borne on long stalks, March-April. Rare and confined to carboniferous limestone in Avon Gorge.
    133526.jpg
  • CUT-LEAVED GERMANDER Teucriuim botrys (Lamiaceae) Height to 25cm. Upright and branched, downy annual or biennial. Grows on bare ground, in short grassland often on previously disturbed soil, and in arable fields, on chalk and limestone soils. FLOWERS are 7-9mm long with no upper lip but a lower lip that is deep, pink; borne in small clusters up leafy stems (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are almost triangular but deeply cut, the lower ones almost pinnately so. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few locations in S England, from Cotswolds to Kent.
    131786.jpg
  • ALPINE BARTSIA Bartsia alpina (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 25cm. Upright, downy and unbranched perennial; semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants. Grows in damp grassland on upland, limestone soils. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, the corolla purple and 2-lipped (upper longer than lower); in spikes (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval, unstalked and untoothed, the upper ones tinged purple. STATUS-Rare, restricted to a few sites in N England and the Scottish Highlands.
    131759.jpg
  • HONEWORT Trinia glauca (Apiaceae) Height to 15cm<br />
Compact, hairless, grey-green and waxy perennial. Found in short, dry grassland on limestone soils. FLOWERS are white, with separate sex plants; male umbels are 1cm across, female 3cm across (May-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped and ridged. LEAVES are 2- or 3-pinnate with narrow lobes. STATUS-Rare; S Devon and N Somerset only.
    131308.jpg
  • SHINING CRANE’S-BILL Geranium lucidum (Geraniaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched, hairless annual that is sometimes tinged red. Found on shady banks and rocky slopes, mainly on limestone. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across; the petals pink and not notched, and the sepals are inflated (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are hairless. LEAVES are shiny and rounded, the margins cut into 5-7 lobes. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    130876.jpg
  • JACOB’S-LADDER Polemonium caeruleum (Polemoniaceae) Height to 1m. Attractive, upright perennial of grassy places and scree slopes in limestone areas. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and bright blue with 5 petal-like corolla lobes; in spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are alternate and pinnate with 6-12 pairs of leaflets. STATUS-Locally native in N England; naturalised elsewhere.
    130830.jpg
  • DOG’S MERCURY Mercurialis perennis (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 35cm. Hairy, creeping perennial with a foetid smell. Found in woodlands (sometimes forms carpets); also in limestone pavements. FLOWERS are yellowish are rather tiny; in open spikes on separate sex plants (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are hairy. LEAVES are oval, shiny and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and generally common but scarce in N Scotland and Ireland.
    130529.jpg
  • DARK-RED HELLEBORINE Epipactis atrorubens (Orchidaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, downy and rather distinctive perennial that grows on limestone soils. FLOWERS comprise rather broad sepals and upper petals, and a broad heart-shaped lip, all of which are dark reddish purple; borne in spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are pear-shaped and downy. LEAVES are oval and tinged purple. STATUS-Very local and restricted to N England, N Wales, NW Scotland and W Ireland.
    130523.jpg
  • PYRAMIDAL BUGLE Ajuga pyramidalis (Lamiaceae) Height to 15cm. Upright perennial; stems are hairy all round. Plant usually forms a rather conical outline. Grows on limestone rocks. FLOWERS are 15mm long, blue with protruding stamens, and shorter than the purplish bracts (Apr-May). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval and stalked. STATUS-Rare, in N England, N Scotland and W Ireland only.
    129784.jpg
  • GOLDILOCKS ASTER Aster linosyris (Height to 60cm) is an attractive, upright perennial with numerous long and slender leaves and an inflorescence comprising numerous heads of yellow flowers (Jul-Sep). This rare plant is restricted to limestone outcrops on the coasts of Somerset and S Devon.
    119935.jpg
  • WILD PRIVET Ligusticum vulgare (Oleaceae) Height to 10m<br />
Much-branched, semi-evergreen shrub that has downy young twigs. Found in hedgerows and areas of scrub, mainly on chalk and limestone soils. FLOWERS are 4-5mm across, creamy white, fragrant and 4-petalled; they are borne in terminal spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny, globular and poisonous, ripening black in the autumn; borne in clusters. LEAVES are shiny, untoothed, oval and opposite.
    105851.jpg
  • BLOODY CRANE’S-BILL Geranium sanguineum (Geraniaceae) Height to 25cm<br />
Clump-forming perennial found in calcareous grassland and limestone pavements. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and 5 deep reddish purple; solitary on long stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS end in a long ‘beak’. LEAVES are deeply divided, almost to the base, into 5-7 lobes.
    103083.jpg
  • PORTLAND SEA-LAVENDER Limonium recurvum ssp. portlandicum (Height to 30cm) is entirely restricted to limestone cliffs and crags around the coasts of Portland in Dorset where it is relatively easy to find. Its pinkish lilac flowers are similar to those of Rock Sea-lavender but are borne in dense, curved sprays (Jul-Aug).
    155672.jpg
  • LIMESTONE PAVEMENT AND GRASSLAND<br />
MALHAM COVE, YORKSHIRE
    115986.jpg
  • Limestone Pavement, Malham Tarn, Yorkshire, UK
    118961.jpg
  • Cliff Whitebeam Sorbus rupicola (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m<br />
A small tree, and often little more than a shrub (lumped within S. aria agg. by some authors). LEAVES Narrowly obovate with shallow, sharply-toothed lobes conspicuous only on distal third of leaf; teeth curve on the outer edge and are all directed towards the apex. Leaves are densely woolly underneath and there are 7-9 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits ripen bright red, to 15mm long with many lenticels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scattered across north and west Britain, found mainly on limestone.
    134641.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    134468.jpg
  • Serbian Spruce Picea omorika (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Narrowly conical to columnar tree, with a slender form unlike all other spruces. BARK Orange-brown and scaly in older trees. BRANCHES Lower branches are slightly descending with raised tips, higher branches being mostly level or ascending. All branches are short. LEAVES Flattened and keeled needles, to 2cm long, may be blunt or barely pointed, dark blue-green above with 2 pale bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are large and red, becoming yellow when releasing pollen. Female cones grow on curving stalks and are up to 6cm long, ovoid and blue-green at first, ripening to brown. Cone scales are rounded with finely toothed margins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of limestone rocks of the Drina basin of Serbia, unknown until 1875, but now a popular ornamental tree
    132775.jpg
  • Sorbus lancastriensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 5m<br />
A shrub or small tree. LEAVES Ovate, the margin with short, sharp teeth; 8-10 pairs of veins and leaves are downy below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers and fruits are borne on slightly downy stalks. Fruits are red, to 1.5cm long, with prominent lenticels when ripe. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Mainly confined to limestone rocks in NW England.
    132664.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    132495.jpg
  • Sorbus leyana (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m (often much shorter). Small tree or smaller shrub. LEAVES Oval, with deep lobes, cut to around half way to midrib, on proximal half; tip is rounded and there are 9-10 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits scarlet, to 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare, on limestone crags in Breconshire.
    132376.jpg
  • WILD PRIVET Ligusticum vulgare (Oleaceae) Height to 10m<br />
Much-branched, semi-evergreen shrub that has downy young twigs. Found in hedgerows and areas of scrub, mainly on chalk and limestone soils. FLOWERS are 4-5mm across, creamy white, fragrant and 4-petalled; they are borne in terminal spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny, globular and poisonous, ripening black in the autumn; borne in clusters. LEAVES are shiny, untoothed, oval and opposite.
    130257.jpg
  • BIRD’S-EYE PRIMROSE Primula farinosa (Primulaceae) Height to 12cm. Charming perennial, associated with damp, bare grassland, and invariably found on limestone soils. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across, 5-lobed and pink with a yellow, central ‘eye’; borne in terminal umbels on upright, mealy stems (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped, mealy white on the underside and form a basal rosette. STATUS-Local and restricted to a few locations in N England.
    137916.jpg
  • HOARY ROCK-ROSE Helianthemum oelandicum (Cistaceae) 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.
    137908.jpg
  • BLUE MOOR-GRASS Sesleria caerulea Height to 45cm<br />
Blue-green, tufted perennial of dry, limestone grassland; often forms large patches. FLOWERS are borne in dense, egg-shaped heads with bluish green spikelets (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are rough-edged and blunt with a fine point at the tip. STATUS-Locally common only in N England, S Scotland and W Ireland.
    134127.jpg
  • Bristol Rock-cress Arabis scabra (formerly A. stricta) Height to 5cm. Small crucifer. Leaves are shiny and hairy, forming a basal rosette. Flowers are 3-5mm across with 4 white petals; borne on long stalks, March-April. Rare and confined to carboniferous limestone in Avon Gorge.
    133525.jpg
  • BURNET ROSE Rosa pimpinellifolia (Rosaceae) Height to 50cm. Clump-forming shrub with suckers and stems that bear numerous straight thorns and stiff bristles. Associated mainly with sand dunes, calcareous grasslands, limestone pavements and heaths. FLOWERS are 3-5cm across with 5 creamy white petals; usually solitary (May-Jul). FRUITS are spherical, 5-6mm across and purplish black when ripe. LEAVES comprise 7-11 oval leaflets. STATUS-Widespread but only locally common.
    132237.jpg
  • BURNET ROSE Rosa pimpinellifolia (Rosaceae) Height to 50cm. Clump-forming shrub with suckers and stems that bear numerous straight thorns and stiff bristles. Associated mainly with sand dunes, calcareous grasslands, limestone pavements and heaths. FLOWERS are 3-5cm across with 5 creamy white petals; usually solitary (May-Jul). FRUITS are spherical, 5-6mm across and purplish black when ripe. LEAVES comprise 7-11 oval leaflets. STATUS-Widespread but only locally common.
    132234.jpg
  • VERVAIN Verbena officinalis (Verbenaceae) Height to 70cm<br />
Upright, roughly hairy perennial with stiff square stems. Grows in dry, grassy places, especially on chalk and limestone. FLOWERS are 4-5mm across and pinkish lilac with 2 lips; borne on slender spikes (Jun-Sep). The flowers are extremely attractive to insects. FRUITS comprise a cluster of nutlets. LEAVES are pinnately lobed and lanceolate. STATUS-Widespread and common in England and Wales; scarce elsewhere.
    132213.jpg
  • COMMON CALAMINT Clinopodium ascendens (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright, hairy and tufted perennial that branches from the base and smells of mint. Grows in dry grassland, hedgerows and verges, often on chalk or limestone soils. FLOWERS are 3-4cm long and pinkish lilac with darker spots on the lower lip; borne in clustered heads that comprise dense whorls (Jun-Sep). LEAVES are rounded and long-stalked. STATUS-Very locally common in the S but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131918.jpg
  • COMMON CALAMINT Clinopodium ascendens (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright, hairy and tufted perennial that branches from the base and smells of mint. Grows in dry grassland, hedgerows and verges, often on chalk or limestone soils. FLOWERS are 3-4cm long and pinkish lilac with darker spots on the lower lip; borne in clustered heads that comprise dense whorls (Jun-Sep). LEAVES are rounded and long-stalked. STATUS-Very locally common in the S but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131916.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.
    131787.jpg
  • SHEEP’S-FESCUE Festuca ovina Height to 30cm<br />
Variable, tufted and hairless perennial that grows in dry grassland on chalk and limestone. FLOWERS are borne in branched but compact heads of grey-green spikelets, each with a short awn (May-Jul). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are short, narrow, inrolled, hair-like and waxy. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131163.jpg
  • WILD PRIVET Ligusticum vulgare (Oleaceae) Height to 10m<br />
Much-branched, semi-evergreen shrub that has downy young twigs. Found in hedgerows and areas of scrub, mainly on chalk and limestone soils. FLOWERS are 4-5mm across, creamy white, fragrant and 4-petalled; they are borne in terminal spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny, globular and poisonous, ripening black in the autumn; borne in clusters. LEAVES are shiny, untoothed, oval and opposite. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and central England and Wales but generally scarce elsewhere.
    131158.jpg
  • SMALL-LEAVED COTONEASTER Cotoneaster microphyllus (Rosaceae) Prostrate. Low-growing, stiff and evergreen undershrub with twigs that are downy when young. Found on coastal limestone. FLOWERS are small with white, spreading petals; usually solitary (May-Jun). FRUITS are spherical, crimson berries. LEAVES are 5-10mm long, oval but blunt or notched at the tip. STATUS-Introduced and locally naturalised.
    130982.jpg
  • PERENNIAL FLAX Linum perenne (Linaceae) Height to 60cm<br />
Slender, spreading and hairless perennial with wiry stems. Found in dry grassland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 20-25mm across and lilac blue; borne in open clusters (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are narrow, 1-veined and greyish green. STATUS-Extremely local in E and N England, on chalk or limestone.
    130969.jpg
  • MEADOW CLARY Salvia pratensis (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Attractive, downy and slightly aromatic upright perennial. Grows in dry grassland on chalk and limestone soils. FLOWERS are 2-3cm long and bluish violet, the calyx being downy but lacking long white hairs; borne in whorls on upright and showy spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are narrow, heart-shaped at the base, bluntly toothed and wrinkled; basal leaves are stalked while upper leaves are increasingly stalkless up the stem. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few sites in S England.
    130344.jpg
  • HOARY WHITLOWGRASS Draba incana (Brassicaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright, hairy biennial of upland limestone rocks and (rarely) on sand dunes in N. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across with 4 slightly notched white petals (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are cylindrical but twisted. LEAVES are lanceolate; untoothed ones in basal rosette plus toothed stem leaves. STATUS-Local, restricted to N Wales, Scotland and NW Ireland.
    130208.jpg
  • DOG’S MERCURY Mercurialis perennis (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 35cm. Hairy, creeping perennial with a foetid smell. Found in woodlands (sometimes forms carpets); also in limestone pavements. FLOWERS are yellowish are rather tiny; in open spikes on separate sex plants (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are hairy. LEAVES are oval, shiny and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and generally common but scarce in N Scotland and Ireland.
    144487.jpg
  • DOG’S MERCURY Mercurialis perennis (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 35cm. Hairy, creeping perennial with a foetid smell. Found in woodlands (sometimes forms carpets); also in limestone pavements. FLOWERS are yellowish are rather tiny; in open spikes on separate sex plants (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are hairy. LEAVES are oval, shiny and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and generally common but scarce in N Scotland and Ireland.
    156830.jpg
  • DOG’S MERCURY Mercurialis perennis (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 35cm. Hairy, creeping perennial with a foetid smell. Found in woodlands (sometimes forms carpets); also in limestone pavements. FLOWERS are yellowish are rather tiny; in open spikes on separate sex plants (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are hairy. LEAVES are oval, shiny and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and generally common but scarce in N Scotland and Ireland.
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  • Dark Red Helleborine - Epipactis atrorubens (Orchidaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, downy and rather distinctive perennial that grows on limestone soils. FLOWERS comprise rather broad sepals and upper petals, and a broad heart-shaped lip, all of which are dark reddish purple; borne in spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are pear-shaped and downy. LEAVES are oval and tinged purple. STATUS-Very local and restricted to N England, N Wales, NW Scotland and W Ireland.
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  • WILD PRIVET Ligusticum vulgare (Oleaceae) Height to 10m<br />
Much-branched, semi-evergreen shrub that has downy young twigs. Found in hedgerows and areas of scrub, mainly on chalk and limestone soils. FLOWERS are 4-5mm across, creamy white, fragrant and 4-petalled; they are borne in terminal spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny, globular and poisonous, ripening black in the autumn; borne in clusters. LEAVES are shiny, untoothed, oval and opposite. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in S and central England and Wales but generally scarce elsewhere.
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  • PORTLAND SEA-LAVENDER Limonium recurvum ssp. portlandicum (Height to 30cm) is entirely restricted to limestone cliffs and crags around the coasts of Portland in Dorset where it is relatively easy to find. Its pinkish lilac flowers are similar to those of Rock Sea-lavender but are borne in dense, curved sprays (Jul-Aug).
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  • LIMESTONE PAVEMENT
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  • SPRING SANDWORT Minuartia verna (Caryophyllaceae) ** Height to 10cm. Slightly downy perennial that is characteristic of bare limestone soils or spoil from lead mines. FLOWERS are white, 5-petalled and 7-9mm across (May-Sep). Green sepals are shorter than petals. FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, 3-veined and carried in whorls on slender stems. STATUS-Local and extremely habitat-specific.
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  • Sorbus hibernica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m. A shrub or small tree. LEAVES Ovate to slightly obovate, with toothed lobes on distal half of leaf; whitish woolly below and leaves have 9-1 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits are pinkish red, to 15mm long, with few lenticels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Confined to areas of scrub and woodland on limestone in central Ireland.
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  • Sorbus leptophylla (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 3m<br />
Small shrub. LEAVES Obovate with shallow, toothed distal lobes; there are 10-11 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits scarlet, to 2cm long with few lenticels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare; limestone in Breconshire.
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  • Serbian Spruce Picea omorika (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Narrowly conical to columnar tree, with a slender form unlike all other spruces. BARK Orange-brown and scaly in older trees. BRANCHES Lower branches are slightly descending with raised tips, higher branches being mostly level or ascending. All branches are short. LEAVES Flattened and keeled needles, to 2cm long, may be blunt or barely pointed, dark blue-green above with 2 pale bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are large and red, becoming yellow when releasing pollen. Female cones grow on curving stalks and are up to 6cm long, ovoid and blue-green at first, ripening to brown. Cone scales are rounded with finely toothed margins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of limestone rocks of the Drina basin of Serbia, unknown until 1875, but now a popular ornamental tree
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  • Sorbus lancastriensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 5m<br />
A shrub or small tree. LEAVES Ovate, the margin with short, sharp teeth; 8-10 pairs of veins and leaves are downy below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers and fruits are borne on slightly downy stalks. Fruits are red, to 1.5cm long, with prominent lenticels when ripe. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Mainly confined to limestone rocks in NW England.
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  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • Serbian Spruce Picea omorika (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Narrowly conical to columnar tree, with a slender form unlike all other spruces. BARK Orange-brown and scaly in older trees. BRANCHES Lower branches are slightly descending with raised tips, higher branches being mostly level or ascending. All branches are short. LEAVES Flattened and keeled needles, to 2cm long, may be blunt or barely pointed, dark blue-green above with 2 pale bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are large and red, becoming yellow when releasing pollen. Female cones grow on curving stalks and are up to 6cm long, ovoid and blue-green at first, ripening to brown. Cone scales are rounded with finely toothed margins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of limestone rocks of the Drina basin of Serbia, unknown until 1875, but now a popular ornamental tree
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  • Cliff Whitebeam Sorbus rupicola (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m<br />
A small tree, and often little more than a shrub (lumped within S. aria agg. by some authors). LEAVES Narrowly obovate with shallow, sharply-toothed lobes conspicuous only on distal third of leaf; teeth curve on the outer edge and are all directed towards the apex. Leaves are densely woolly underneath and there are 7-9 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits ripen bright red, to 15mm long with many lenticels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scattered across north and west Britain, found mainly on limestone.
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  • Bosnian Pine Pinus heldriechii (leucodermis) (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly pyramidal tree with a tapering bole. BARK Grey, with irregular plates. Whitish patches appear with age. LEAVES Paired needles, to 9cm long, densely packed on shoots, stiff and projecting at right-angles, pungent. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones, to 8cm long and 2.5cm across, narrowly ovoid and ripening to brown; scales have a recurved prickle. Second-year cones are deep blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Balkans and SW Italy, mainly on dry mountain limestone. Planted here for ornament, thriving on free-draining soils.
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  • Bosnian Pine Pinus heldriechii (leucodermis) (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly pyramidal tree with a tapering bole. BARK Grey, with irregular plates. Whitish patches appear with age. LEAVES Paired needles, to 9cm long, densely packed on shoots, stiff and projecting at right-angles, pungent. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones, to 8cm long and 2.5cm across, narrowly ovoid and ripening to brown; scales have a recurved prickle. Second-year cones are deep blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Balkans and SW Italy, mainly on dry mountain limestone. Planted here for ornament, thriving on free-draining soils.
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  • Bosnian Pine Pinus heldriechii (leucodermis) (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly pyramidal tree with a tapering bole. BARK Grey, with irregular plates. Whitish patches appear with age. LEAVES Paired needles, to 9cm long, densely packed on shoots, stiff and projecting at right-angles, pungent. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones, to 8cm long and 2.5cm across, narrowly ovoid and ripening to brown; scales have a recurved prickle. Second-year cones are deep blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Balkans and SW Italy, mainly on dry mountain limestone. Planted here for ornament, thriving on free-draining soils.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
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  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • SPOTTED HAWKWEED Hieracium maculatum (Asteraceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, variable perennial. Stems produce a milky latex when broken and are hairy towards the base. Grows in grassy places, along woodland rides, on verges and banks, and on heaths. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 2-3cm across, with yellow florets; carried on hairy stalks, in clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS have unbranched hairs. LEAVES are shield-shaped, long-stalked and marked with bold dark spots and blotches. STATUS-Local, mainly on limestone; mainly central-southern England.
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  • HOARY ROCK-ROSE Helianthemum oelandicum (Cistaceae) 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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  • HOARY ROCK-ROSE Helianthemum oelandicum (Cistaceae) 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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  • LADY’S-SLIPPER ORCHID Cypripedium calceolus (Height to 50cm) is unmistakable, its truly magnificent flower comprising maroon outer perianth segments and an inflated yellow lip, 4-5cm across (May-Jun). It grows on limestone soils in N England, where it is extremely rare and its known sites protected. Occasionally, the species is discovered elsewhere in N England although the native origins of some of these plants is doubtful.
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  • JACOB’S-LADDER Polemonium caeruleum (Polemoniaceae) Height to 1m. Attractive, upright perennial of grassy places and scree slopes in limestone areas. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and bright blue with 5 petal-like corolla lobes; in spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are alternate and pinnate with 6-12 pairs of leaflets. STATUS-Locally native in N England; naturalised elsewhere.
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  • HOARY WHITLOWGRASS Draba incana (Brassicaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright, hairy biennial of upland limestone rocks and (rarely) on sand dunes in N. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across with 4 slightly notched white petals (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are cylindrical but twisted. LEAVES are lanceolate; untoothed ones in basal rosette plus toothed stem leaves. STATUS-Local, restricted to N Wales, Scotland and NW Ireland.
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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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  • HOARY WHITLOWGRASS Draba incana (Brassicaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright, hairy biennial of upland limestone rocks and (rarely) on sand dunes in N. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across with 4 slightly notched white petals (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are cylindrical but twisted. LEAVES are lanceolate; untoothed ones in basal rosette plus toothed stem leaves. STATUS-Local, restricted to N Wales, Scotland and NW Ireland.
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  • ROUND-HEADED LEEK Allium sphaerocephalon. Height to 1m. An impressive plant, whose spherical heads of reddish-pink flowers are carried on a long, slender stem (June-July). Restricted to limestone rocks in the Avon Gorge; also found on dunes on Jersey.
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  • PORTLAND SEA-LAVENDER Limonium recurvum ssp. portlandicum (Height to 30cm) is entirely restricted to limestone cliffs and crags around the coasts of Portland in Dorset where it is relatively easy to find. Its pinkish lilac flowers are similar to those of Rock Sea-lavender but are borne in dense, curved sprays (Jul-Aug).
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  • WHITE ROCK-ROSE Helianthemum apenninum (Cistaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive, branched and spreading shrubby perennial. Found in dry, grassy places on limestone. FLOWERS are 2.5cm across with 5 crinkly, white petals (May-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow-oval, downy white above and below, with inrolled margins. STATUS-Local, restricted to coastal areas of Devon and Somerset.
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  • 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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  • BIRD’S-EYE PRIMROSE Primula farinosa (Primulaceae) Height to 12cm. Charming perennial, associated with damp, bare grassland, and invariably found on limestone soils. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across, 5-lobed and pink with a yellow, central ‘eye’; borne in terminal umbels on upright, mealy stems (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped, mealy white on the underside and form a basal rosette. STATUS-Local and restricted to a few locations in N England.
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