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  • EQUAL-LEAVED KNOTGRASS Polygonum arenastrum (Polygonaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming annual of bare ground and disturbed soil. Superficially similar to Knotgrass. FLOWERS are pale pink and arise in leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like and are enclosed by the withering flower. LEAVES are oval and equal in size on main stem and side branches (cf. Knotgrass). STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131456.jpg
  • CROWBERRY Empetrum nigrum (Empetraceae) Height to 10cm. Mat-forming, Heather-like evergreen undershrub with stems that are reddish when young. Found on upland moors on damp, acid ground. FLOWERS are tiny and pinkish, with 6 petals; arise at base of leaves (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny berries, 5-7mm across, green at first but ripening black in late summer. LEAVES are narrow, shiny and dark green, with inrolled margins. STATUS-Locally common only in N Britain.
    131633.jpg
  • Wild Thyme - Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    156543.jpg
  • WILD THYME Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    141594.jpg
  • CROWBERRY Empetrum nigrum (Empetraceae) Height to 10cm. Mat-forming, Heather-like evergreen undershrub with stems that are reddish when young. Found on upland moors on damp, acid ground. FLOWERS are tiny and pinkish, with 6 petals; arise at base of leaves (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny berries, 5-7mm across, green at first but ripening black in late summer. LEAVES are narrow, shiny and dark green, with inrolled margins. STATUS-Locally common only in N Britain.
    144475.jpg
  • Wild Thyme - Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    156544.jpg
  • WILD THYME Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    131135.jpg
  • EQUAL-LEAVED KNOTGRASS Polygonum arenastrum (Polygonaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming annual of bare ground and disturbed soil. Superficially similar to Knotgrass. FLOWERS are pale pink and arise in leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like and are enclosed by the withering flower. LEAVES are oval and equal in size on main stem and side branches (cf. Knotgrass). STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131455.jpg
  • HEATH SPEEDWELL Veronica officinalis (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 10cm. Delicate and mat-forming, hairy perennial with creeping stems that root at the nodes and are hairy all round, and upright flowering stems. Grows in grassland, woodland and on heaths. FLOWERS are 6-8mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and lilac-blue with darker veins; borne in cylindrical and often conical spikes (May-Aug). FRUITS are flattened, hear-shaped capsules. LEAVES are oval, toothed, unstalked and hairy on both sides. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    131017.jpg
  • CROWBERRY Empetrum nigrum (Empetraceae) Height to 10cm. Mat-forming, Heather-like evergreen undershrub with stems that are reddish when young. Found on upland moors on damp, acid ground. FLOWERS are tiny and pinkish, with 6 petals; arise at base of leaves (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny berries, 5-7mm across, green at first but ripening black in late summer. LEAVES are narrow, shiny and dark green, with inrolled margins. STATUS-Locally common only in N Britain.
    144476.jpg
  • Wild Thyme growing on an old dry stone wall, Lundy Island, Devon
    156572.jpg
  • Equal-leaved Knotgrass - Polygonum arenastrum
    159381.jpg
  • MIND-YOUR-OWN-BUSINESS Soleirolia soleirolii (Urticaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming perennial with wiry, thread-like stems. FLOWERS are minute and pink (May-Aug). FRUITS are minute and hard to discern. LEAVES are tiny, rounded, untoothed and evergreen. STATUS-A garden escape, colonising walls and paths, mainly in the SW.
    133571.jpg
  • WILD THYME Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    141577.jpg
  • CORNISH MONEYWORT Sibthorpia europaea (Scrophulariaceae) Prostrate. Intriguing and distinctive, hairy and mat-forming perennial with slender, creeping stems that root at the nodes. Grows on damp, shady banks in woodlands and beside streams. FLOWERS are tiny, the corolla with 2 yellow lobes and 3 pink ones; solitary and borne on short, slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are 2cm across, long stalked and kidney-shaped with 5-7 lobes. STATUS-Very locally common, but scattered and restricted to SW England, Sussex, S Wales and SW Ireland.
    132394.jpg
  • Thyme growing on Lundy Island, Devon. Wild Thyme - Thymus polytrichus (Lamiaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Creeping and mat-forming perennial with slender, woody runners. The whole plant is faintly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on dry grassland and heaths, and coastal cliffs and dunes. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish purple; borne in dense, terminal heads with dark, purplish calyx tubes, on 4-angled stems that are hairy on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    156517.jpg
  • RAY’S KNOTGRASS Polygonum oxyspermum (Polygonaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming annual of undisturbed coastal sand and shingle beaches. FLOWERS are pinkish white and arise in leaf axils (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are nut-like and protrude beyond the withering flower. LEAVES are oval, leathery and alternate, sometimes with slightly inrolled margins. STATUS-Local and commonest in W.
    131968.jpg
  • MOSSY SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga hypnoides (Saxifragaceae) Height to 20cm. Mat-forming, upland perennial of rocks and damp, bare ground. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across with 5 white petals; borne in clusters (May-Jul). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are pointed and lobed; non-flowering shoots are procumbent and leafy bulbils form in the leaf axils; the overall effect is of a moss-like plant. STATUS-Locally common in N England and Scotland; generally scarce elsewhere.
    131767.jpg
  • SEA SANDWORT Honckenya peploides (Caryophyllaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming perennial that is familiar on stabilised coastal shingle and sandy beaches. FLOWERS are greenish white and 6-8mm across (May-Aug). Petals are slightly shorter than sepals. FRUITS are yellowish green and pea-like. LEAVES oval and fleshy; borne as opposite pairs on creeping stems. STATUS-Locally common around coasts.
    131727.jpg
  • ENGLISH STONECROP Sedum anglicum (Crassulaceae) Height to 5cm. Mat-forming perennial with wiry stems. Found on rocky ground, shingle and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and 12mm across with 5 white petals that are pink below (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and red. LEAVES are 3-5mm long, fleshy and often tinged red. STATUS-Widespread and locally common, especially in W Britain and Ireland.
    153666.jpg
  • BEARBERRY Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Ericaceae) Prostrate<br />
Low-growing, mat-forming and evergreen undershrub. Found on dry moorland and mountain slopes. FLOWERS are 5-6mm long, urn-shaped and pink; borne on short stalks and in clusters (May-Aug). FRUITS are shiny, bright red berries, 7-9mm across. LEAVES are oval, untoothed and leathery; they are dark green and shiny above but paler below. STATUS-Locally common in Scotland but rare elsewhere within its range.
    144447.jpg
  • PURPLE SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga oppositifolia (Saxifragaceae) Creeping. Mat-forming perennial with trailing stems. Found on mountains, but also on coastal rocks in the N. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across and purple (Mar-Apr). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are small, dark green and have bristly margins; in opposite pairs. STATUS-Locally common in N England and Scotland; rare in N Wales and NW Ireland.
    144580.jpg
  • ENGLISH STONECROP Sedum anglicum (Crassulaceae) Height to 5cm. Mat-forming perennial with wiry stems. Found on rocky ground, shingle and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and 12mm across with 5 white petals that are pink below (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and red. LEAVES are 3-5mm long, fleshy and often tinged red. STATUS-Widespread and locally common, especially in W Britain and Ireland.
    153670.jpg
  • ENGLISH STONECROP Sedum anglicum (Crassulaceae) Height to 5cm. Mat-forming perennial with wiry stems. Found on rocky ground, shingle and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and 12mm across with 5 white petals that are pink below (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and red. LEAVES are 3-5mm long, fleshy and often tinged red. STATUS-Widespread and locally common, especially in W Britain and Ireland.
    153669.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
  • HEATH PEARLWORT Sagina subulata (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 10cm. Mat-forming, downy perennial with a basal rosette. Found on dry, sandy or gravelly soils. FLOWERS have 5 white petals that are equal to, or longer than sepals; borne on slender, stickily hairy stalks (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, bristle-tipped and downy. STATUS-Locally common in N & W; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    134146.jpg
  • Net-leaved Willow Salix reticulata (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10cm. Mat-forming undershrub with distinctive leaves. SHOOTS Smooth and reddish brown when mature. LEAVES Ovate, to 5cm long and untoothed; dark green above but whitish below with prominent, netted veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins, males with reddish stamens. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare in Scottish Highlands.
    133898.jpg
  • Net-leaved Willow Salix reticulata (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10cm. Mat-forming undershrub with distinctive leaves. SHOOTS Smooth and reddish brown when mature. LEAVES Ovate, to 5cm long and untoothed; dark green above but whitish below with prominent, netted veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins, males with reddish stamens. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare in Scottish Highlands.
    120611.jpg
  • TWINFLOWER Linnaea borealis (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 7cm. Charming, delicate, creeping and evergreen perennial. Sometimes mat-forming. Grows on the woodland floor in mature and undisturbed Scottish pine forests. FLOWERS are 5-9mm long, the corolla pink and bell-shaped; borne in pairs on upright, slender stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are oval to rounded and borne in pairs on wiry stems. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few locations in NE Scotland.
    137918.jpg
  • HEATH PEARLWORT Sagina subulata (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 10cm. Mat-forming, downy perennial with a basal rosette. Found on dry, sandy or gravelly soils. FLOWERS have 5 white petals that are equal to, or longer than sepals; borne on slender, stickily hairy stalks (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, bristle-tipped and downy. STATUS-Locally common in N & W; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    134145.jpg
  • HEATH PEARLWORT Sagina subulata (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 10cm. Mat-forming, downy perennial with a basal rosette. Found on dry, sandy or gravelly soils. FLOWERS have 5 white petals that are equal to, or longer than sepals; borne on slender, stickily hairy stalks (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, bristle-tipped and downy. STATUS-Locally common in N & W; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    134144.jpg
  • BITING STONECROP Sedum acre (Crassulaceae) Height to 10cm. Distinctive mat-forming perennial. Found on well-drained ground such as sand dunes and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and 10-12mm across, with 5 bright yellow petals (May-Jul). FRUITS are dry and splitting. LEAVES are fleshy, crowded and pressed close to stem; taste hot. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    132152.jpg
  • ROCK STONECROP Sedum forsterianum (Crassulaceae) Height to 20cm. Greyish-green, mat-forming perennial of free-draining rocky ground and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and yellow; in terminal clusters that nod in bud (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and splitting. LEAVES are fleshy and pressed close to stem; terminal clusters on non-flowering shoots. STATUS-Local in SW England; naturalised elsewhere.
    131478.jpg
  • HEATH PEARLWROT Sagina subulata (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 10cm. Mat-forming, downy perennial with a basal rosette. Found on dry, sandy or gravelly soils. FLOWERS have 5 white petals that are equal to, or longer than sepals; borne on slender, stickily hairy stalks (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, bristle-tipped and downy. STATUS-Locally common in N & W; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    130005.jpg
  • TWINFLOWER Linnaea borealis (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 7cm. Charming, delicate, creeping and evergreen perennial. Sometimes mat-forming. Grows on the woodland floor in mature and undisturbed Scottish pine forests. FLOWERS are 5-9mm long, the corolla pink and bell-shaped; borne in pairs on upright, slender stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are oval to rounded and borne in pairs on wiry stems. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few locations in NE Scotland.
    144602.jpg
  • ENGLISH STONECROP Sedum anglicum (Crassulaceae) Height to 5cm. Mat-forming perennial with wiry stems. Found on rocky ground, shingle and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and 12mm across with 5 white petals that are pink below (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and red. LEAVES are 3-5mm long, fleshy and often tinged red. STATUS-Widespread and locally common, especially in W Britain and Ireland.
    153665.jpg
  • ALPINE MOUSE-EAR Cerastium alpinum (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 10cm. Tufted, mat-forming perennial whose stems and leaves bear long white hairs. Found on stony ground on mountains. FLOWERS are white and 18-25mm across, with 5 notched petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are ovate, the bracts having membranous margins. STATUS-Local and scarce, restricted to mountains from Snowdonia northwards.
    129974.jpg
  • BEARBERRY Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Ericaceae) Prostrate<br />
Low-growing, mat-forming and evergreen undershrub. Found on dry moorland and mountain slopes. FLOWERS are 5-6mm long, urn-shaped and pink; borne on short stalks and in clusters (May-Aug). FRUITS are shiny, bright red berries, 7-9mm across. LEAVES are oval, untoothed and leathery; they are dark green and shiny above but paler below. STATUS-Locally common in Scotland but rare elsewhere within its range.
    129736.jpg
  • WHITE STONECROP Sedum album (Crassulaceae) Height to 15cm. Mat-forming, evergreen perennial of rocky ground and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped, 6-9mm across, white above but often pinkish below; in terminal clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and splitting. LEAVES are 6-12mm long, fleshy, shiny and green or reddish. STATUS-Local, mainly in SW England and often naturalised elsewhere.
    117729.jpg
  • ARCTIC BEARBERRY Arctostaphylos alpinus (Ericaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming, deciduous undershrub, the stems often bearing the withered remains of the previous year’s leaves. Found on acid moorland. FLOWERS are 4-5mm long, urn-shaped and white; in small clusters (May-Aug). FRUITS are black berries up to 1cm across. LEAVES are wrinkled and toothed; turn red in autumn. STATUS-N Scotland only.
    129735.jpg
  • TWINFLOWER Linnaea borealis (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 7cm. Charming, delicate, creeping and evergreen perennial. Sometimes mat-forming. Grows on the woodland floor in mature and undisturbed Scottish pine forests. FLOWERS are 5-9mm long, the corolla pink and bell-shaped; borne in pairs on upright, slender stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are oval to rounded and borne in pairs on wiry stems. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few locations in NE Scotland.
    137919.jpg
  • BEARBERRY Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Ericaceae) Prostrate<br />
Low-growing, mat-forming and evergreen undershrub. Found on dry moorland and mountain slopes. FLOWERS are 5-6mm long, urn-shaped and pink; borne on short stalks and in clusters (May-Aug). FRUITS are shiny, bright red berries, 7-9mm across. LEAVES are oval, untoothed and leathery; they are dark green and shiny above but paler below. STATUS-Locally common in Scotland but rare elsewhere within its range.
    144446.jpg
  • TWINFLOWER Linnaea borealis (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 7cm. Charming, delicate, creeping and evergreen perennial. Sometimes mat-forming. Grows on the woodland floor in mature and undisturbed Scottish pine forests. FLOWERS are 5-9mm long, the corolla pink and bell-shaped; borne in pairs on upright, slender stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are oval to rounded and borne in pairs on wiry stems. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few locations in NE Scotland.
    144603.jpg
  • SPRING CINQUEFOIL Potentilla tabernaemontani (Rosaceae) Height to 15cm. Creeping, mat-forming perennial with woody stem bases. Found in dry, calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are 1-2cm across with 5 yellow petals; borne in loose clusters (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES comprise palmate basal leaves with 5-7 leaflets, and trifoliate stem leaves. STATUS-Widespread but extremely local.
    130731.jpg
  • MIND-YOUR-OWN-BUSINESS Soleirolia soleirolii (Urticaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming perennial with wiry, thread-like stems. FLOWERS are minute and pink (May-Aug). FRUITS are minute and hard to discern. LEAVES are tiny, rounded, untoothed and evergreen. STATUS-A garden escape, colonising walls and paths, mainly in the SW.
    129938.jpg
  • HEATH RUSH Juncus squarrosus (Juncaceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Tufted, sometimes mat-forming perennial with stiff stems. Grows on heaths and moors. FLOWERS are dark brown with pale, silvery margins; borne in terminal clusters (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are brown, egg-shaped and blunt with a small point at the tip. LEAVES are wiry, grooved; appear as basal rosette. STATUS-Locally common in N and W.
    123006.jpg
  • ENGLISH STONECROP Sedum anglicum (Crassulaceae) Height to 5cm. Mat-forming perennial with wiry stems. Found on rocky ground, shingle and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and 12mm across with 5 white petals that are pink below (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and red. LEAVES are 3-5mm long, fleshy and often tinged red.
    106012.jpg
  • Bearberry (Arctostphylos uva-ursi) Low-growing, mat-forming and evergreen undershrub. Found on dry moorland and mountain slopes. FLOWERS are 5-6mm long, urn-shaped and pink; borne on short stalks and in clusters (May-Aug). FRUITS are shiny, bright red berries, 7-9mm across. LEAVES are oval, untoothed and leathery; they are dark green and shiny above but paler below.
    101653.jpg
  • ENGLISH STONECROP Sedum anglicum (Crassulaceae) Height to 5cm. Mat-forming perennial with wiry stems. Found on rocky ground, shingle and old walls. FLOWERS are star-shaped and 12mm across with 5 white petals that are pink below (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and red. LEAVES are 3-5mm long, fleshy and often tinged red. STATUS-Widespread and locally common, especially in W Britain and Ireland.
    143391.jpg
  • SEA-HEATH Frankenia laevis (Frankeniaceae) ** Prostrate<br />
Branched, mat-forming and woody perennial. Restricted to the drier, upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are 5mm across with 5 pink and crinkly petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are small and narrow with inrolled margins; densely packed and opposite on side shoots. STATUS-Local, from Hants to Norfolk only.
    134564.jpg
  • ROCK SEDGE Carex rupestris (Cyperaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Delicate, creeping and mat-forming perennial of dry mountain ledges on base-rich rocks. FLOWERS are brown and borne in slender, terminal spikes, male flowers above females (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are yellow and flask-shaped. LEAVES are wiry and curly. STATUS-Local and scarce, restricted to a few suitable sites in Scotland.
    120604.jpg
  • HEATH BEDSTRAW Galium saxatile (Rubiaceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Spreading, rather weak-stemmed perennial that is sometimes almost prostrate and mat-forming. Whole plant blackens when dry. Found on heaths and grassland on acid soils. FLOWERS are 3mm across, white and 4-petalled, with a sickly smell; in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are hairless, warty nutlets. LEAVES are narrow-ovate and bristle-tipped, with forward-pointing marginal bristles.
    103095.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.
    144196.jpg
  • Net-leaved Willow Salix reticulata (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10cm. Mat-forming undershrub with distinctive leaves. SHOOTS Smooth and reddish brown when mature. LEAVES Ovate, to 5cm long and untoothed; dark green above but whitish below with prominent, netted veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins, males with reddish stamens. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare in Scottish Highlands.
    133896.jpg
  • BLINKS Montia fontana (Portulacaceae) Usually prostrate<br />
Low-growing, sometimes mat-forming plant of bare, damp ground; sometimes grows partly submerged in water. Stems are sometimes reddish. FLOWERS are tiny and white; borne in terminal clusters (May-Oct). FRUITS are rounded capsules. LEAVES are narrow oval and opposite. STATUS-Widespread and common but least so in the S.
    130163.jpg
  • PURPLE SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga oppositifolia (Saxifragaceae) Creeping. Mat-forming perennial with trailing stems. Found on mountains, but also on coastal rocks in the N. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across and purple (Mar-Apr). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are small, dark green and have bristly margins; in opposite pairs. STATUS-Locally common in N England and Scotland; rare in N Wales and NW Ireland.
    129675.jpg
  • CORNISH MONEYWORT Sibthorpia europaea (Scrophulariaceae) ** Prostrate<br />
Intriguing and distinctive, hairy and mat-forming perennial with slender, creeping stems that root at the nodes. Grows on damp, shady banks in woodlands and beside streams. FLOWERS are tiny, the corolla with 2 yellow lobes and 3 pink ones; solitary and borne on short, slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are 2cm across, long stalked and kidney-shaped with 5-7 lobes.
    103098.jpg
  • SLENDER SPEEDWELL Veronica filiformis (Scrophulariaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming, downy perennial with creeping stems. Grows in short grassland, sometimes on lawns. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and bluish with a white lip; borne on relatively long, slender stalks arising from leaf axils (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are seldom produced. LEAVES are 5-10mm across, rounded to kidney-shaped, blunt-toothed and short-stalked. STATUS-Introduced; now locally common in S.
    130660.jpg
  • SEA-HEATH Frankenia laevis (Frankeniaceae) Prostrate<br />
Branched, mat-forming and woody perennial. Restricted to the drier, upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS are 5mm across with 5 pink and crinkly petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are small and narrow with inrolled margins; densely packed and opposite on side shoots. STATUS-Local, from Hants to Norfolk only.
    130042.jpg
  • Net-leaved Willow Salix reticulata (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10cm. Mat-forming undershrub with distinctive leaves. SHOOTS Smooth and reddish brown when mature. LEAVES Ovate, to 5cm long and untoothed; dark green above but whitish below with prominent, netted veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins, males with reddish stamens. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare in Scottish Highlands.
    133895.jpg
  • NEW ZEALAND WILLOWHERB Epilobium brunnescens (Onograceae) Prostrate. Creeping, mat-forming perennial that roots at the nodes. Found in damp ground in mountains. FLOWERS are 6-7mm across with deeply notched pink or white petals; borne on long, erect stalks (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are slender pods. LEAVES are circular and opposite. STATUS-Introduced but now widespread in many mountain regions.
    125113.jpg
  • Lesser Pond Sedge (Carex acutiformis) HEIGHT to 1.2m. Creeping, mat-forming perennial of marshes and the margins of ponds and streams. FLOWERS Comprising 2-3 brownish male spikes above 3-4 yellowish-green femalespikes; spikes usually unstalked (June-July). FRUITS Green, egg-shaped but flattened, narrowing to a beak. LEAVES Long, bluish grey, rough.
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  • LARGE THYME Thymus pulegoides (Lamiaceae) Height to 15cm. Rather tufted and sometimes mat-forming perennial that lacks woody runners. The whole plant is strongly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on chalk downland and dry heaths. FLOWERS are 4-6mm long and pinkish purple; borne in whorls and terminal heads, all with purplish bracts and on stems with rows of hairs down the 4-angles and downy hairs on 2 opposite sides (Jun-Aug. FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and opposite. STATUS-Common in S but scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • LIMESTONE BEDSTRAW Galium sterneri (Rubiaceae) Height to 30cm. Spreading, mat-forming perennial that turns greenish black when dry. Similar to Heath Bedstraw but only grows on base-rich grassland, never on acid soils. FLOWERS are 3mm across and greenish white with 4 petals; borne in domed clusters (May-Jul). FRUITS are hairless and warty nutlets. LEAVES are narrow-oblong and bristle-tipped, with backward-pointing marginal bristles. STATUS-Locally common in N only.
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  • BEARBERRY Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Ericaceae) Prostrate<br />
Low-growing, mat-forming and evergreen undershrub. Found on dry moorland and mountain slopes. FLOWERS are 5-6mm long, urn-shaped and pink; borne on short stalks and in clusters (May-Aug). FRUITS are shiny, bright red berries, 7-9mm across. LEAVES are oval, untoothed and leathery; they are dark green and shiny above but paler below. STATUS-Locally common in Scotland but rare elsewhere within its range.
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  • TWINFLOWER Linnaea borealis (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 7cm. Charming, delicate, creeping and evergreen perennial. Sometimes mat-forming. Grows on the woodland floor in mature and undisturbed Scottish pine forests. FLOWERS are 5-9mm long, the corolla pink and bell-shaped; borne in pairs on upright, slender stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are oval to rounded and borne in pairs on wiry stems. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few locations in NE Scotland.
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