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  • COMMON CLUB-RUSH Schoenoplectus lacustris. Height to 3m. Tall, grey-green perennial of river margins and fresh and brackish marshes. Flowers stalked, egg-shaped brown spikelets bourne in clusters (June-Aug). Fruits greyish brown. Leaves narrow and submereged. Status locally common.
    132016.jpg
  • LARKSPUR Consolida ajacis. Height to 30cm. Downy annual that is occasionally found in arable field margins. Flowers bluish, comprising 5 petal-like sepals and a long, backward-pointing spur; in loose spikes (June-Aug). Fruits dry, many-seeded. Leaves deeply divided into palmate lobes. Staus introduced (often grown in gardens) and occasional.
    131628.jpg
  • SEA CLUB-RUSH Bolboschoenus maritimus (Cyperaceae) Height to 1.25m. Creeping, robust perennial that grows at the margins of brackish water near the sea. The stems are rough and triangular in cross-section. FLOWERS comprise a tight, terminal cluster of egg-shaped spiklets, flanked by a long, leafy bract (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are dark brown. LEAVES are rough and keeled. STATUS-Locally common.
    131065.jpg
  • COMMON SPIKE-RUSH Eleocharis palustris (Cyperaceae) Height to 50cm. Creeping, hairless perennial with green, leafless stems. Grows in marshes and pond margins. FLOWERS are brown and borne in terminal, egg-shaped spikelets of 20-70 flowers (May-Jul). FRUITS are yellowish brown. LEAVES are reduced to brownish, basal sheaths on the stems. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
    130762.jpg
  • Brown Galingale Cyperus fuscus (Height to 15cm) Tufted annual sedge, with upright, 3-sided stems and leaves up to 7mm wide. Inflorescence comprises tight clusters of reddish-brown spikelets with 2 long bracts; June-August. Damp, muddy ground and pond margins.
    118304.jpg
  • Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus L 18-20cm. Dumpy wader. Much smaller than Snipe, with shorter bill and legs, and more striking head and back markings. Pumps body up and down as it walks. Easy to overlook: plumage is cryptic and bird is very reluctant to fly. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have mainly brown upperparts with intricate, cryptic dark feather markings. Note striking yellow stripes on back; greenish sheen sometimes discerned. Head is has dark and pale buff stripes, including forked, pale supercilium. Neck and breast are streaked and underparts are white. Voice Mostly silent. Status Non-breeding visitor in small numbers. Favours muddy margins of pools and marshes, where tangled dead rush and grass stems match its cryptic plumage.
    136676.jpg
  • GIPSYWORT Lycopus europaeus (Lamiaceae) Height to 75cm<br />
Hairy, usually somewhat branched, and superficially mint-like perennial. Grows in damp ground and beside fresh water, favouring locations such as ditches and pond margins. FLOWERS are 5mm long and whitish with small, purplish spots; borne in compact whorls that arise from the axils of the upper leaves (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are yellowish green and deeply cut or pinnately divided into lobes. STATUS-Widespread and common in central and S England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    132063.jpg
  • GREATER SPEARWORT Ranunculus lingua (Ranunculaceae) Height to 1m. Robust and upright perennial of fens and the shallow margins of ponds and lakes. Plant has long runners. FLOWERS are 20-40mm across with 5 yellow petals; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are rough and winged, with a curved beak. LEAVES are narrow, 25cm long and sometimes toothed. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    131558.jpg
  • FIELD-ROSE Rosa arvensis (Rosaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Clump-forming shrub whose weak, trailing and purplish stems carry small numbers of curved thorns. Associated with woodland margins, hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are 3-5cm across with 5 white petals and styles united to form a column at least as long as the stamens; borne in clusters of up to 6 flowers (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are rounded to ovoid red hips, with sepals not persisting. LEAVES have 5-7 oval leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common in England, Wales and Ireland; almost absent from Scotland.
    131321.jpg
  • BROAD-LEAVED DOCK Rumex obtusifolius (Polygonaceae) Height to 1m. Familiar upright perennial of field margins and disturbed meadows. FLOWERS are borne in loose spikes that are leafy at the base (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have prominent teeth and 1 tubercle. LEAVES are broadly oval, heart-shaped at the base and up to 25cm long. STATUS-Widespread and extremely common throughout.
    131140.jpg
  • COMMON GROMWELL Lithospermum officinale (Boraginaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright, downy perennial that grows along woodland margins and in scrub, usually on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across, creamy white and 5-lobed; borne in clusters (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are shiny, white nutlets whose texture resembles glazed china. LEAVES are narrow, unstalked and pointed with strongly marked side veins. STATUS-Locally common in S England and S Wales but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131105.jpg
  • COW PARSLEY Anthriscus sylvestris (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Downy, herbaceous perennial with hollow, unspotted stems. Found in meadows and woodland margins, and on verges. FLOWERS are white and borne in umbels up to 6cm across; bracts absent (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are elongate and ridged. LEAVES are 2- to 3-pinnate, only slightly hairy and fresh green. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    130858.jpg
  • SIX-STAMENED WATERWORT Elatine hexandra (Elatinaceae)  Prostrate. Creeping, often mat-forming annual that is often tinged red. Found on the bare, shallow and drying margins of peaty pools and lakes. FLOWERS are tiny and comprise 3 pinkish petals, 3 blunt sepals and 6 stamens (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped; in opposite pairs or 4s. STATUS-Extremely local, mainly SE England.
    130203.jpg
  • IRISH HEATH Erica erigena (Height to 2m) is hairless shrub with leaves arranged in 4s. The flowers are pink, 5-7mm long, and similar to those of Cornish Heath; they are borne in long spikes in spring (Mar-May), not late summer. The plant is very locally common in the W, growing on the drier margins of bogs. It grows nowhere else in our region.
    124090.jpg
  • PARSLEY-PIERT Aphanes arvensis (Rosaceae) Creeping<br />
Easily overlooked, greyish green downy annual. Found on dry, bare ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are minute, petal-less and green; borne in dense, unstalked clusters along stems (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are fan-shaped, deeply divided into 3 lobes and parsley-like. STATUS-Widespread and generally common.
    118508.jpg
  • PARSLEY-PIERT Aphanes arvensis (Rosaceae) Creeping<br />
Easily overlooked, greyish green downy annual. Found on dry, bare ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are minute, petal-less and green; borne in dense, unstalked clusters along stems (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are fan-shaped, deeply divided into 3 lobes and parsley-like. STATUS-Widespread and generally common.
    143552.jpg
  • Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus L 18-20cm. Dumpy wader. Much smaller than Snipe, with shorter bill and legs, and more striking head and back markings. Pumps body up and down as it walks. Easy to overlook: plumage is cryptic and bird is very reluctant to fly. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have mainly brown upperparts with intricate, cryptic dark feather markings. Note striking yellow stripes on back; greenish sheen sometimes discerned. Head is has dark and pale buff stripes, including forked, pale supercilium. Neck and breast are streaked and underparts are white. Voice Mostly silent. Status Non-breeding visitor in small numbers. Favours muddy margins of pools and marshes, where tangled dead rush and grass stems match its cryptic plumage.
    155659.jpg
  • Green-veined White Pieris napi  Wingspan 45-50mm. Adult recalls a Small White but has striking veins on wings: these are dark on upperwings, and greyish-green on underwings. Double-brooded: adult flies in spring and again in mid-summer. Larva is green with tiny white spots; feeds on Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard and related plants. Locally common, sometimes seen in gardens, but mainly associated with verges and open margins and rides in woodland.
    136153.jpg
  • BROAD-LEAVED DOCK Rumex obtusifolius (Polygonaceae) Height to 1m. Familiar upright perennial of field margins and disturbed meadows. FLOWERS are borne in loose spikes that are leafy at the base (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have prominent teeth and 1 tubercle. LEAVES are broadly oval, heart-shaped at the base and up to 25cm long. STATUS-Widespread and extremely common throughout.
    141473.jpg
  • MUDWORT Limosella aquatica (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 10cm. Hairless, rosette-forming annual with creeping runners. Grows on damp mud, typically on the margins of drying ponds. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across and bell-shaped with 5 pinkish white lobes; on slender stalks arising from leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow-ovate and long-stalked. STATUS-Rare, mainly in S.
    131926.jpg
  • SMALL FLEABANE Pulicaria vulgaris (Height to 40cm) recalls Common Fleabane but it is more branched and has much smaller flower heads, 1cm across, with short ray florets (Aug-Oct). It grows around the trampled and grazed margins of pools in the New Forest, its best location in our region.
    131895.jpg
  • PALE PERSICARIA Persicaria lapathifolia (Polygonaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright or sprawling annual. Similar to Redshank but stems are usually greenish and hairy. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are greenish white and borne in terminal spikes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are narrow and oval. STATUS-Widespread and generally common throughout.
    131559.jpg
  • PALE PERSICARIA Persicaria lapathifolia (Polygonaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright or sprawling annual. Similar to Redshank but stems are usually greenish and hairy. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are greenish white and borne in terminal spikes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are narrow and oval. STATUS-Widespread and generally common throughout.
    131537.jpg
  • FIELD-ROSE Rosa arvensis (Rosaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Clump-forming shrub whose weak, trailing and purplish stems carry small numbers of curved thorns. Associated with woodland margins, hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are 3-5cm across with 5 white petals and styles united to form a column at least as long as the stamens; borne in clusters of up to 6 flowers (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are rounded to ovoid red hips, with sepals not persisting. LEAVES have 5-7 oval leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common in England, Wales and Ireland; almost absent from Scotland.
    131202.jpg
  • WHITE DEAD-NETTLE Lamium album (Lamiaceae) Height to 40cm. Downy, slightly aromatic and patch-forming perennial with square stems. Grows on roadside verges and disturbed ground in grassland and woodland margins. FLOWERS are 25-30mm long and white, with a hairy upper lip and toothed lower lip; borne in whorls (Mar-Nov). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate to triangular with a heart-shaped base, toothed and stalked. Superficially similar to those of Common Nettle but lack stinging hairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout, except N Scotland.
    130753.jpg
  • BRECKLAND SPEEDWELL Veronica praecox (Height to 10cm) is a tiny annual. It is rather similar to Wall Speedwell but has rounded, toothed leaves and tiny, blue flowers borne on slender axillary stalks (Mar-Jun). It is a rare plant of unsprayed field margins in the Brecks.
    130073.jpg
  • Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus L 18-20cm. Dumpy wader. Much smaller than Snipe, with shorter bill and legs, and more striking head and back markings. Pumps body up and down as it walks. Easy to overlook: plumage is cryptic and bird is very reluctant to fly. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have mainly brown upperparts with intricate, cryptic dark feather markings. Note striking yellow stripes on back; greenish sheen sometimes discerned. Head is has dark and pale buff stripes, including forked, pale supercilium. Neck and breast are streaked and underparts are white. Voice Mostly silent. Status Non-breeding visitor in small numbers. Favours muddy margins of pools and marshes, where tangled dead rush and grass stems match its cryptic plumage.
    141783.jpg
  • Jack Snipe - Lymnocryptes minimus. L 18-20cm. Dumpy wader. Much smaller than Snipe, with shorter bill and legs, and more striking head and back markings. Pumps body up and down as it walks. Easy to overlook: plumage is cryptic and bird is very reluctant to fly. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have mainly brown upperparts with intricate, cryptic dark feather markings. Note striking yellow stripes on back; greenish sheen sometimes discerned. Head is has dark and pale buff stripes, including forked, pale supercilium. Neck and breast are streaked and underparts are white. Voice Mostly silent. Status Non-breeding visitor in small numbers. Favours muddy margins of pools and marshes, where tangled dead rush and grass stems match its cryptic plumage.
    156932.jpg
  • PARSLEY-PIERT Aphanes arvensis (Rosaceae) Creeping<br />
 Easily overlooked, greyish green downy annual. Found on dry, bare ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are minute, petal-less and green; borne in dense, unstalked clusters along stems (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are fan-shaped, deeply divided into 3 lobes and parsley-like. STATUS-Widespread and generally common.
    143549.jpg
  • Green-veined White Pieris napi  Wingspan 45-50mm. Adult recalls a Small White but has striking veins on wings: these are dark on upperwings, and greyish-green on underwings. Double-brooded: adult flies in spring and again in mid-summer. Larva is green with tiny white spots; feeds on Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard and related plants. Locally common, sometimes seen in gardens, but mainly associated with verges and open margins and rides in woodland.
    140480.jpg
  • Green-veined White Pieris napi  Wingspan 45-50mm. Adult recalls a Small White but has striking veins on wings: these are dark on upperwings, and greyish-green on underwings. Double-brooded: adult flies in spring and again in mid-summer. Larva is green with tiny white spots; feeds on Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard and related plants. Locally common, sometimes seen in gardens, but mainly associated with verges and open margins and rides in woodland.
    140376.jpg
  • Green-veined White Pieris napi  Wingspan 45-50mm. Adult recalls a Small White but has striking veins on wings: these are dark on upperwings, and greyish-green on underwings. Double-brooded: adult flies in spring and again in mid-summer. Larva is green with tiny white spots; feeds on Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard and related plants. Locally common, sometimes seen in gardens, but mainly associated with verges and open margins and rides in woodland.
    102310.jpg
  • CRETAN MALLOW Lavatera cretica (Malvaceae). Height to 75cm. Similar to Common Mallow but flowers are smaller with narrower petals that are rather waxy-transparent (May-July, and again in autumn). Occurs on the Isles of Scilly and grows in field margins and disturbed ground, particularly around Old Town on St Mary's
    132392.jpg
  • MEADOWSWEET Filipendula ulmaria (Rosaceae) Height to 1.25m. Striking perennial of damp meadows, marshes and stream margins. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across, fragrant and creamy white; borne in sprays (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are spirally twisted and 1-seeded. LEAVES are dark green and comprise 3-5 pairs of oval leaflets with smaller leaflets between. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    132208.jpg
  • SMALL TEASEL Dipsacus pilosus (Dipsacaceae) Height to 1.25m. Upright biennial with stems that are hairy towards the top of the plant. Grows along woodland margins and on banks. FLOWERS are white and carried in spherical to egg-shaped heads, 15-20mm across, with spiny bracts; borne on tall stems (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are dry, papery and borne in the dry flower heads. LEAVES are oval, those at the base long-stalked and forming a rosette; stem leaves sometimes have 2 basal lobes but are not joined around the stem. STATUS-Local, in England and Wales only.
    131922.jpg
  • GIPSYWORT Lycopus europaeus (Lamiaceae) Height to 75cm<br />
Hairy, usually somewhat branched, and superficially mint-like perennial. Grows in damp ground and beside fresh water, favouring locations such as ditches and pond margins. FLOWERS are 5mm long and whitish with small, purplish spots; borne in compact whorls that arise from the axils of the upper leaves (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are yellowish green and deeply cut or pinnately divided into lobes. STATUS-Widespread and common in central and S England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131907.jpg
  • HAIRY STONECROP Sedum villosum (Crassulaceae) Height to 15cm. Upright, unbranched biennial or perennial of damp, stony ground and stream margins. FLOWERS are 6-8mm across, pink and stalked; upright (not drooping) in bud (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and splitting. LEAVES are fleshy, flat above and covered in sticky hairs; arranged spirally up stems. STATUS-Local from N England to central Scotland.
    131736.jpg
  • MARSH WOUNDWORT Stachys palustris (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m. Robust, non-smelling perennial with creeping stems and unbranched flowering stalks. Grows in damp ground in marshes, and beside ditches and rivers; occasionally found along the margins of damp arable field. FLOWERS are 12-15mm long and pinkish purple with white markings; borne in elegant, open spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are toothed, narrow-oblong, often heart-shaped at the base and mostly unstalked. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout the region.
    131711.jpg
  • WHITE DEAD-NETTLE Lamium album (Lamiaceae) Height to 40cm. Downy, slightly aromatic and patch-forming perennial with square stems. Grows on roadside verges and disturbed ground in grassland and woodland margins. FLOWERS are 25-30mm long and white, with a hairy upper lip and toothed lower lip; borne in whorls (Mar-Nov). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate to triangular with a heart-shaped base, toothed and stalked. Superficially similar to those of Common Nettle but lack stinging hairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout, except N Scotland.
    131625.jpg
  • FLOWERING-RUSH Butomus umbellatus (Butomaceae) Height to 1m. Attractive perennial that grows in the vegetated margins of still or slow-flowing freshwater. FLOWERS are 25-30mm across and pink; borne in umbels (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are purple. LEAVES are rush-like, 3-angled and very long, arising from the base of the plant. STATUS-Locally common only in England and Wales.
    131563.jpg
  • REDSHANK Persicaria maculosa (Polygonaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright or sprawling hairless annual with much-branched reddish stems. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are pink and borne in terminal spikes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are narrow and oval, and usually show a dark central mark. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    131560.jpg
  • LESSER MARSHWORT Apium inundatum (Apiaceae) * Creeping. Creeping and prostrate, hairless perennial with smooth stems. Found in damp ground, often on the margins of ponds and marshes, and sometimes growing submerged. FLOWERS are white and borne in small stalked umbels with 2-4 rays (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are narrow ovoid. LEAVES are pinnate with narrow, hair-like leaflets, not unlike those of some water-crowfoot species. STATUS-Widespread but rather local.
    131344.jpg
  • PINK WATER-SPEEDWELL Veronica catenata (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 20cm. Hairless perennial, similar to Blue Water-speedwell, with which it hybridises, but smaller and often tinged purple; nb hybrid cross is often commoner than parents. Grows in damp ground and around pond margins. FLOWERS are 5-6mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and pink; in rather open spikes comprising paired flowers arising from leaf axils, their stalks shorter than the bracts. FRUITS are flattened, rounded and notched capsules. LEAVES are narrow-oval, pointed and toothed. STATUS-Locally common.
    131045.jpg
  • BLUE WATER-SPEEDWELL Veronica anagallis-aquatica (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 25cm. Hairless perennial with creeping stems that root at the nodes, and upright flowering stems. Grows in damp ground, in woodlands and marshes, and also around the margins of shallow ponds. FLOWERS are 5-6mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and pale blue; in dense spikes that comprise pairs of flowers on stalks arising from leaf axils, the stalks as long as the bracts (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are flattened, rounded and notched capsules. LEAVES are narrow-oval, pointed, toothed and up to 12cm long. STATUS-Locally common.
    131026.jpg
  • GREAT YELLOW-CRESS Rorippa amphibia (Brassicaceae) Height to 1.2m. Robust, hairless perennial with stout, hollow stems. Favours damp ground and the margins of freshwater habitats. FLOWERS are 5-7mm across with 4 yellow petals, twice the length of the sepals; in terminal heads (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are elliptical pods, 3-6mm long. LEAVES are pinnately lobed. STATUS-Locally common in S but absent from N
    130936.jpg
  • COW PARSLEY Anthriscus sylvestris (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Downy, herbaceous perennial with hollow, unspotted stems. Found in meadows and woodland margins, and on verges. FLOWERS are white and borne in umbels up to 6cm across; bracts absent (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are elongate and ridged. LEAVES are 2- to 3-pinnate, only slightly hairy and fresh green. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    130816.jpg
  • COW PARSLEY Anthriscus sylvestris (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Downy, herbaceous perennial with hollow, unspotted stems. Found in meadows and woodland margins, and on verges. FLOWERS are white and borne in umbels up to 6cm across; bracts absent (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are elongate and ridged. LEAVES are 2- to 3-pinnate, only slightly hairy and fresh green. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    130810.jpg
  • PARSLEY-PIERT Aphanes arvensis (Rosaceae) Creeping<br />
Easily overlooked, greyish green downy annual. Found on dry, bare ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are minute, petal-less and green; borne in dense, unstalked clusters along stems (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are fan-shaped, deeply divided into 3 lobes and parsley-like. STATUS-Widespread and generally common.
    130683.jpg
  • HARSH DOWNY-ROSE Rosa tomentosa (Rosaceae) Height to 2m. Dense shrub with arching stems that bear rather straight thorns. Found in hedgerows, scrub and woodland margins. FLOWERS are 3-4cm across with 5 pink or white petals; in clusters of up to 5 flowers (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are rounded, red hips that are covered with bristles. LEAVES comprise 5-7 oval leaflets that are downy on both sides. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common, but mainly in the S.
    130030.jpg
  • DOG-ROSE Rosa canina (Rosaceae) Height to 3m<br />
Scrambling, variable shrub whose long, arching stems bear curved thorns. Associated with hedgerows, woodland margins and scrub. FLOWERS are 3-5cm across, fragrant with 5 pale pink petals and yellow stamens; borne in clusters of up to 4 flowers (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are red, egg-shaped hips that typically shed their sepals before they ripen. LEAVES comprise 5-7 hairless leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    128025.jpg
  • MOUSETAIL Myosurus minimus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 10cm. Tufted and inconspicuous annual of arable field margins, often on sandy soil. FLOWERS are long-stalked and 5mm across, with yellowish green petals and sepals (Mar-Jul). FRUITS are elongate, plantain-like (see ppxxx-xxx) and up to 7cm long. LEAVES are narrow and grass-like. STATUS-Scarce and declining, mainly in S England.
    123584.jpg
  • HAMPSHIRE-PURSLANE Ludwigia palustris (Onagraceae) Height to 30cm. Creeping perennial that is rather undistinguished but neverthless quite distinctive. It has reddish stems and oval, opposite leaves that are also strongly tinged reddish brown. The flowers are tiny and inconspicuous (June-Aug). Hampshire-purslane grows at the margins of ponds and is almost confined to the New Forest.
    118874.jpg
  • ROUGH MARSH-MALLOW Althaea hirsuta (Malvaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright annual with simple and starry hairs. Found on downland and arable margins. FLOWERS are 25mm across, cup-shaped and long-stalked; pink petals are similar in length to sepals (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are rounded flat capsules. LEAVES are rounded at plant base but dissected up stem. STATUS-Rare, possibly native to Kent and Somerset.
    117801.jpg
  • SMALLER TREE-MALLOW (CRETAN MALLOW) Lavatera cretica (Malvaceae). Height to 75cm. Similar to Common Mallow but flowers are smaller with narrower petals that are rather waxy-transparent (May-July, and again in autumn). Occurs on the Isles of Scilly and grows in field margins and disturbed ground, particularly around Old Town on St Mary's
    143555.jpg
  • SMALLER TREE-MALLOW (CRETAN MALLOW) Lavatera cretica (Malvaceae). Height to 75cm. Similar to Common Mallow but flowers are smaller with narrower petals that are rather waxy-transparent (May-July, and again in autumn). Occurs on the Isles of Scilly and grows in field margins and disturbed ground, particularly around Old Town on St Mary's
    143558.jpg
  • Green-veined White - Pieris napi.  Wingspan 45-50mm. Adult recalls a Small White but has striking veins on wings: these are dark on upperwings, and greyish-green on underwings. Double-brooded: adult flies in spring and again in mid-summer. Larva is green with tiny white spots; feeds on Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard and related plants. Locally common, sometimes seen in gardens, but mainly associated with verges and open margins and rides in woodland.
    156980.jpg
  • Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus L 18-20cm. Dumpy wader. Much smaller than Snipe, with shorter bill and legs, and more striking head and back markings. Pumps body up and down as it walks. Easy to overlook: plumage is cryptic and bird is very reluctant to fly. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have mainly brown upperparts with intricate, cryptic dark feather markings. Note striking yellow stripes on back; greenish sheen sometimes discerned. Head is has dark and pale buff stripes, including forked, pale supercilium. Neck and breast are streaked and underparts are white. Voice Mostly silent. Status Non-breeding visitor in small numbers. Favours muddy margins of pools and marshes, where tangled dead rush and grass stems match its cryptic plumage.
    155903.jpg
  • Green-veined White Pieris napi  Wingspan 45-50mm. Adult recalls a Small White but has striking veins on wings: these are dark on upperwings, and greyish-green on underwings. Double-brooded: adult flies in spring and again in mid-summer. Larva is green with tiny white spots; feeds on Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard and related plants. Locally common, sometimes seen in gardens, but mainly associated with verges and open margins and rides in woodland.
    140395.jpg
  • Green-veined White Pieris napi  Wingspan 45-50mm. Adult recalls a Small White but has striking veins on wings: these are dark on upperwings, and greyish-green on underwings. Double-brooded: adult flies in spring and again in mid-summer. Larva is green with tiny white spots; feeds on Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard and related plants. Locally common, sometimes seen in gardens, but mainly associated with verges and open margins and rides in woodland.
    136196.jpg
  • YELLOW IRIS Iris pseudacorus (Iridaceae) Height to 1m. Familiar and robust perennial that grows in pond margins and marshes, and on river banks. FLOWERS are 8-10cm across and bright yellow with faint purplish veins; borne in clusters of 2-3 flowers (May-Aug). FRUITS are oblong and 3-sided. LEAVES are grey-green, sword shaped and often wrinkled. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    153641.jpg
  • SEA CLUB-RUSH Bolboschoenus maritimus (Cyperaceae) Height to 1.25m. Creeping, robust perennial that grows at the margins of brackish water near the sea. The stems are rough and triangular in cross-section. FLOWERS comprise a tight, terminal cluster of egg-shaped spiklets, flanked by a long, leafy bract (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are dark brown. LEAVES are rough and keeled. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • WATER-PLANTAIN Alisma plantago-aquatica (Alismataceae) Height to 1m. Aquatic and emergent perennial that grows on the margins and in the shallows of ponds and lakes. FLOWERS are 1cm across, whitish lilac and 3-petalled; borne in branched whorls (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are greenish and nut-like. LEAVES are oval and long-stalked with parallel veins. STATUS-Locally common except W England, W Wales and N Scotland.
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  • LESSER BULRUSH Typha angustifolia (Typhaceae). Height to 2m. Similar to Bulrush (aka Lesser Reedmace). Grows in freshwater margins. Flowers in spikes, comprising a brown, sausage-like array of female flowers separated by a gap from a narrow, terminal spire of male flowers (June-Aug). Fruits with cottony down. Leaves dark green, long, 3-6mm wide. Status locally common.
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  • COMMON CLUB-RUSH Schoenoplectus lacustris. Height to 3m. Tall, grey-green perennial of river margins and fresh and brackish marshes. Flowers stalked, egg-shaped brown spikelets bourne in clusters (June-Aug). Fruits greyish brown. Leaves narrow and submereged. Status locally common.
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  • SMALL WATER-PEPPER Persicaria minor. Similar to Water-pepper but much smaller (to 30cm), with shorter, narrower leaves (5-8mm across) that are not peppery. Local and scarce on bare pond margins.
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  • STARRY SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga stellaris (Saxifragaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial of damp ground and stream margins. FLOWERS are star-shaped with 5 white petals and red anthers; petals have yellow basal spots but no red spots above; on slender stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are oblong, toothed and form a basal rosette. STATUS-Locally common in upland N Wales, N Britain and Ireland.
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  • AWLWORT Subularia aquatica (Brassicaceae) Height to 12cm<br />
Aquatic annual. Found on margins of gravelly upland lakes and usually submerged. FLOWERS are tiny, white and borne on short stems (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are ovoid, 2mm long and borne on short stems. LEAVES are up to 60cm long, slender, cylindrical and pointed; appear as a basal rosette. STATUS-Local in W and N, least so in Scotland.
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  • COMMON GROMWELL Lithospermum officinale (Boraginaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright, downy perennial that grows along woodland margins and in scrub, usually on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across, creamy white and 5-lobed; borne in clusters (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are shiny, white nutlets whose texture resembles glazed china. LEAVES are narrow, unstalked and pointed with strongly marked side veins. STATUS-Locally common in S England and S Wales but scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • FIELD-ROSE Rosa arvensis (Rosaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Clump-forming shrub whose weak, trailing and purplish stems carry small numbers of curved thorns. Associated with woodland margins, hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are 3-5cm across with 5 white petals and styles united to form a column at least as long as the stamens; borne in clusters of up to 6 flowers (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are rounded to ovoid red hips, with sepals not persisting. LEAVES have 5-7 oval leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common in England, Wales and Ireland; almost absent from Scotland.
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  • YELLOW IRIS Iris pseudacorus (Iridaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Familiar and robust perennial that grows in pond margins and marshes, and on river banks. FLOWERS are 8-10cm across and bright yellow with faint purplish veins; borne in clusters of 2-3 flowers (May-Aug). FRUITS are oblong and 3-sided. LEAVES are grey-green, sword shaped and often wrinkled. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • GREAT YELLOW-CRESS Rorippa amphibia (Brassicaceae) Height to 1.2m. Robust, hairless perennial with stout, hollow stems. Favours damp ground and the margins of freshwater habitats. FLOWERS are 5-7mm across with 4 yellow petals, twice the length of the sepals; in terminal heads (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are elliptical pods, 3-6mm long. LEAVES are pinnately lobed. STATUS-Locally common in S but absent from N
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  • COW PARSLEY Anthriscus sylvestris (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Downy, herbaceous perennial with hollow, unspotted stems. Found in meadows and woodland margins, and on verges. FLOWERS are white and borne in umbels up to 6cm across; bracts absent (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are elongate and ridged. LEAVES are 2- to 3-pinnate, only slightly hairy and fresh green. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Brown Galingale Cyperus fuscus (Height to 15cm) Tufted annual sedge, with upright, 3-sided stems and leaves up to 7mm wide. Inflorescence comprises tight clusters of reddish-brown spikelets with 2 long bracts; June-August. Damp, muddy ground and pond margins.
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  • COMMON SPIKE-RUSH Eleocharis palustris (Cyperaceae) Height to 50cm. Creeping, hairless perennial with green, leafless stems. Grows in marshes and pond margins. FLOWERS are brown and borne in terminal, egg-shaped spikelets of 20-70 flowers (May-Jul). FRUITS are yellowish brown. LEAVES are reduced to brownish, basal sheaths on the stems. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
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  • Green-veined White Pieris napi  Wingspan 45-50mm. Adult recalls a Small White but has striking veins on wings: these are dark on upperwings, and greyish-green on underwings. Double-brooded: adult flies in spring and again in mid-summer. Larva is green with tiny white spots; feeds on Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard and related plants. Locally common, sometimes seen in gardens, but mainly associated with verges and open margins and rides in woodland.
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  • MUDWORT Limosella aquatica (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 10cm. Hairless, rosette-forming annual with creeping runners. Grows on damp mud, typically on the margins of drying ponds. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across and bell-shaped with 5 pinkish white lobes; on slender stalks arising from leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow-ovate and long-stalked. STATUS-Rare, mainly in S.
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  • RED BARTSIA Odontites vernus (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 40cm. Straggly, branched and downy annual with stems often tinged reddish. Semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants. Grows on disturbed ground, tracks and verges, and in arable field margins. FLOWERS are 8-10mm long, the corolla pinkish purple and 2-lipped, the lower lip 3-lobed; borne in 1-sided, elongated and slightly curved spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, toothed, unstalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
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  • CLUSTERED DOCK Rumex conglomeratus (Polygonaceae) Height to 1m. Upright perennial with a zigzag stem and spreading branches. Found in meadows and woodland margins, often on damp soil. FLOWERS are borne in leafy spikes. FRUITS are small, untoothed, with 3 elongated tubercles (Jun-Aug). LEAVES are oval; basal ones heart-shaped at base and often waisted. STATUS-Mostly common but rare in Scotland.
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  • COMMON REED Phragmites australis (Poaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Familiar, robust perennial of damp ground, marshes and freshwater margins. Often forms vast stands. Plant turns brown and persists through winter. FLOWERS are spikelets, purplish brown then fading; borne in branched, 1-sided terminal clusters (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are brown. LEAVES are broad and long. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • SMALL TEASEL Dipsacus pilosus (Dipsacaceae) Height to 1.25m. Upright biennial with stems that are hairy towards the top of the plant. Grows along woodland margins and on banks. FLOWERS are white and carried in spherical to egg-shaped heads, 15-20mm across, with spiny bracts; borne on tall stems (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are dry, papery and borne in the dry flower heads. LEAVES are oval, those at the base long-stalked and forming a rosette; stem leaves sometimes have 2 basal lobes but are not joined around the stem. STATUS-Local, in England and Wales only.
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  • REDSHANK Persicaria maculosa (Polygonaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright or sprawling hairless annual with much-branched reddish stems. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are pink and borne in terminal spikes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are narrow and oval, and usually show a dark central mark. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • NEW ZEALAND PIGMYWEED Crassula helmsii (Crassulaceae) Prostrate on land. Unwelcome, creeping perennial that colonises ponds and their margins, eventually excluding all native species. FLOWERS are tiny with 5 white or pink petals (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and splitting. LEAVES are narrow, fleshy and 5-10mm long. STATUS-Introduced, spreading and a major threat to native aquatic plants.
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  • Climbing perennial whose progress is aided by long, unbranched tendrils. Found in hedges and woodland margins. FLOWERS are greenish, 5-parted and borne on separate-sex plants; arise from leaf axils (May-Aug). FRUITS are red, shiny berries. LEAVES are 4-7cm across and divided into 5 lobes.
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  • SIX-STAMENED WATERWORT Elatine hexandra (Elatinaceae) Prostrate. Creeping, often mat-forming annual that is often tinged red. Found on the bare, shallow and drying margins of peaty pools and lakes. FLOWERS are tiny and comprise 3 pinkish petals, 3 blunt sepals and 6 stamens (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped; in opposite pairs or 4s. STATUS-Extremely local, mainly SE England.
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  • Green-veined White Pieris napi  Wingspan 45-50mm. Adult recalls a Small White but has striking veins on wings: these are dark on upperwings, and greyish-green on underwings. Double-brooded: adult flies in spring and again in mid-summer. Larva is green with tiny white spots; feeds on Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard and related plants. Locally common, sometimes seen in gardens, but mainly associated with verges and open margins and rides in woodland.
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  • LESSER WATER-PARSNIP Berula erecta (Apiaceae) Height to  70cm. Spreading, sometimes patch-forming perennial. Favours damp ground and shallow water margins. FLOWERS are white; borne in short-stalked umbels, 3-6cm across, that arise opposite leaves on stem (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are spherical and ridged. LEAVES are pinnate with 7-14 pairs of oval, jagged-toothed leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
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  • PINK WATER-SPEEDWELL Veronica catenata (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 20cm. Hairless perennial, similar to Blue Water-speedwell, with which it hybridises, but smaller and often tinged purple; nb hybrid cross is often commoner than parents. Grows in damp ground and around pond margins. FLOWERS are 5-6mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and pink; in rather open spikes comprising paired flowers arising from leaf axils, their stalks shorter than the bracts. FRUITS are flattened, rounded and notched capsules. LEAVES are narrow-oval, pointed and toothed. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • BULRUSH Typha latifolia (Typhaceae) Height to 2m. <br />
Sedge-like plant (aka Great Reedmace). Grows in freshwater margins. FLOWERS are borne in spikes and comprise a brown, sausage-like array of female flowers and a narrow, terminal spire of male flowers, the two contiguous (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have cottony down. LEAVES are grey-green, long and 1-2cm wide. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Akiraho Olearia paniculata is similarto New Zealand Holly O. macrodonta but with smaller leaves with undulate margins. Native to New Zealand, planted for hedging in coastal SW England.
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  • Akiraho Olearia paniculata is similarto New Zealand Holly O. macrodonta but with smaller leaves with undulate margins. Native to New Zealand, planted for hedging in coastal SW England.
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  • Marsh Dock - Rumex palustris. Annual or biennial of muddy freshwater margins. Similar to Golden Dock, but fruits do not turn yellow and fruit teeth are shorter than valve. Flowers in dense, widely separated whorls (Jun-Aug).
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  • WATER CHICKWEED Myosoton aquaticum (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Straggling perennial of damp, grassy ground and river margins. FLOWERS are white and 12-20mm across, with 5 deeply divided petals (much longer than sepals) (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are heart-shaped with wavy edges. Borne in opposite pairs, upper leaves unstalked.
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  • GREATER SPEARWORT Ranunculus lingua (Ranunculaceae) Height to 1m. Robust and upright perennial of fens and the shallow margins of ponds and lakes. Plant has long runners. FLOWERS are 20-40mm across with 5 yellow petals; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are rough and winged, with a curved beak. LEAVES are narrow, 25cm long and sometimes toothed. STATUS-Widespread but local.
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  • CLUSTERED DOCK Rumex conglomeratus (Polygonaceae) Height to 1m. Upright perennial with a zigzag stem and spreading branches. Found in meadows and woodland margins, often on damp soil. FLOWERS are borne in leafy spikes. FRUITS are small, untoothed, with 3 elongated tubercles (Jun-Aug). LEAVES are oval; basal ones heart-shaped at base and often waisted. STATUS-Mostly common but rare in Scotland.
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  • FINGERED SPEEDWELL Veronica triphyllos (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 10cm. Also rather similar to Wall Speedwell but note the palmately divided leaves, the lobes of which fancifully resemble fingers. The flowers are tiny and blue and bourne on slender stalks (Apr-July). It is a rare plant of unsprayed field margins in the Brecks.
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  • Dog Rose - Rosa canina. Height to 3m. Scrambling, variable shrub whose long, arching stems bear curved thorns. Associated with hedgerows, woodland margins and scrub. FLOWERS are 3-5cm across, fragrant with 5 pale pink petals and yellow stamens; borne in clusters of up to 4 flowers (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are red, egg-shaped hips that typically shed their sepals before they ripen. LEAVES comprise 5-7 hairless leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • CLUSTERED DOCK Rumex conglomeratus (Polygonaceae) Height to 1m. Upright perennial with a zigzag stem and spreading branches. Found in meadows and woodland margins, often on damp soil. FLOWERS are borne in leafy spikes. FRUITS are small, untoothed, with 3 elongated tubercles (Jun-Aug). LEAVES are oval; basal ones heart-shaped at base and often waisted. STATUS-Mostly common but rare in Scotland.
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  • BROAD-LEAVED DOCK Rumex obtusifolius (Polygonaceae) Height to 1m. Familiar upright perennial of field margins and disturbed meadows. FLOWERS are borne in loose spikes that are leafy at the base (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have prominent teeth and 1 tubercle. LEAVES are broadly oval, heart-shaped at the base and up to 25cm long. STATUS-Widespread and extremely common throughout.
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  • SHOREWEED Littorella uniflora (Plantaginaceae) Creeping<br />
Aquatic perennial that grows on the margins of ponds and lakes with acid, nutrient-poor waters. Has creeping runners and sometimes forms patches. FLOWERS are greenish; males, with long stamens, are borne on stalks while females are stalkless and basal. FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are 7-10cm long, semi-circular in cross-section, narrow and spongy; borne in tufted, radiating rosettes.
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  • DOG-ROSE Rosa canina (Rosaceae) Height to 3m. Scrambling, variable shrub whose long, arching stems bear curved thorns. Associated with hedgerows, woodland margins and scrub. FLOWERS are 3-5cm across, fragrant with 5 pale pink petals and yellow stamens; borne in clusters of up to 4 flowers (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are red, egg-shaped hips that typically shed their sepals before they ripen. LEAVES comprise 5-7 hairless leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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