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  • GREATER BIRD’S-FOOT-TREFOIL Lotus pedunculatus (Fabaceae) Height to 50cm. Hairy, hollow-stemmed perennial found in damp grassy places and fens. FLOWERS are 15mm long and yellow; in heads on stalks up to 15cm long (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are slender pods; splayed like a bird’s foot when ripe. LEAVES have 5 dark green leaflets but appear trifoliate (lower pair sited at stalk base). STATUS-Locally common.
    141420.jpg
  • CROWN VETCH Securigera varia (Fabaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Straggling, hairless perennial. Found in grassy places, usually on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and pink and white; borne in long-stalked, spherical heads of 10-20 flowers (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are 4-angled pods, 6cm long. LEAVES comprise 7-12 pairs of oval leaflets and a terminal leaflet. STATUS-Naturalised locally.
    136819.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
  • 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.
    136408.jpg
  • GREATER BIRD’S-FOOT-TREFOIL Lotus pedunculatus (Fabaceae) Height to 50cm. Hairy, hollow-stemmed perennial found in damp grassy places and fens. FLOWERS are 15mm long and yellow; in heads on stalks up to 15cm long (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are slender pods; splayed like a bird’s foot when ripe. LEAVES have 5 dark green leaflets but appear trifoliate (lower pair sited at stalk base). STATUS-Locally common.
    131989.jpg
  • SPEAR-LEAVED WILLOWHERB Epilobium lanceolatum (Onograceae) Height to 80cm. Recalls a slender, grey-green form of Broad-leaved Willowherb with alternate leaves. Found in shady places. FLOWERS are 6-8mm across with a 4-lobed stigma; white at first, turning pink later (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are narrow and taper to the base. STATUS-Local, S England and S Wales only.
    131848.jpg
  • SPEAR-LEAVED WILLOWHERB Epilobium lanceolatum (Onograceae) Height to 80cm. Recalls a slender, grey-green form of Broad-leaved Willowherb with alternate leaves. Found in shady places. FLOWERS are 6-8mm across with a 4-lobed stigma; white at first, turning pink later (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are narrow and taper to the base. STATUS-Local, S England and S Wales only.
    131839.jpg
  • NORTHERN BEDSTRAW Galium boreale (Rubiaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright and rather robust (by bedstraw standards) perennial; the only white-flowered bedstraw in our region with 3-veined leaves. Found in grassy and rocky upland places. FLOWERS are 4mm across, white and 4-petalled; in branched, terminal clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are brown nutlets with hooked bristles. LEAVES are blunt, leathery, dark green and widest at the middle. STATUS-Widespread in N Britain and N Ireland.
    131678.jpg
  • AMERICAN WILLOWHERB Epilobium ciliatum (Onograceae) Height to 50cm. Upright perennial; stems have 4 raised lines and spreading, glandular hairs. Found on waste ground and damp, shady places. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across with pink, notched petals and a club-shaped stigma (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are narrow-oval, toothed and short-stalked. STATUS-Introduced but widely naturalised.
    131284.jpg
  • AMERICAN WILLOWHERB Epilobium ciliatum (Onograceae) Height to 50cm. Upright perennial; stems have 4 raised lines and spreading, glandular hairs. Found on waste ground and damp, shady places. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across with pink, notched petals and a club-shaped stigma (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are narrow-oval, toothed and short-stalked. STATUS-Introduced but widely naturalised.
    131286.jpg
  • ROUGH MEADOW-GRASS Poa trivialis Height to 90cm<br />
Loosely tufted perennial with creeping runners. Grows in damp, often shady, places. FLOWERS are borne in a pyramidal inflorescence, the purplish brown spikelets carried on whorls of stalks (May-Jul). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are pale green, and soft with a pointed ligule and a rough sheath. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131277.jpg
  • MOTH MULLEIN Verbascum blattaria (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.3m. Upright slender biennial, or short-lived perennial with angled stems that are stickily-hairy above. Grows on waste ground and in damp, grassy places. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and usually yellow but sometimes pinkish white, the stamens coated in purplish hairs; solitary and borne in open spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are shiny, dark green and hairless. STATUS-Occasional, S and E England only.
    131039.jpg
  • SILVERWEED Potentilla anserina (Rosaceae) Creeping<br />
Low-growing perennial with long, creeping stems. Found in damp, grassy places and on bare ground. FLOWERS are 15-20mm across with 5 yellow petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are divided into up to 12 pairs of leaflets (with tiny ones between them) that are covered in silvery, silky hairs. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131028.jpg
  • HAIRY BUTTERCUP Ranunculus sardous (Ranunculaceae) Hieght to 40cm. Hairy annual of grassy places, especially near the coast. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across with 5 pale yellow petals and reflexed sepals (May-Oct). FRUITS have a green border inside which they are adorned with warts. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobed and mainly basal. STATUS-Local, mainly in the south and in coastal habitats.
    130909.jpg
  • COMMON CORNSALAD Valerianella locusta (Valerianaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched and almost hairless annual. Grows in dry, grassy and bare places including arable land, old walls and dunes. FLOWERS are 1-2mm across, the corolla pinkish lilac and 5-lobed; borne in flat-topped terminal clusters, 1-2cm across (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and rather ovate. LEAVES are spoon-shaped towards the base of the plant but oblong higher up. STATUS-Widespread across the region but only locally common.
    130759.jpg
  • COMMON VETCH Vicia sativa (Fabaceae) Height to 75cm<br />
Scrambling, downy annual of grassy places and hedgerows. FLOWERS are pinkish purple and 2-3cm long; appear singly or in pairs (Apr-Sep). FRUITS are pods that ripen black. LEAVES comprise 3-8 pairs of oval leaflets, ending in tendrils. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common throughout; sometimes seen as a relict of cultivation.
    130746.jpg
  • BLACK MEDICK Medicago lupulina (Fabaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Downy annual of short grassland and waste places. FLOWERS are small and yellow; borne in dense, spherical heads (8-9mm across) of 10-50 flowers (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are spirally coiled, spineless and black when ripe. LEAVES are trifoliate, each leaflet bearing a point at the centre of its apex. STATUS-Widespread and rather common.
    130745.jpg
  • GERMANDER SPEEDWELL Veronica chamaedrys (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 20cm. Delicate and attractive perennial with creeping stems that root at the nodes, and upright flowering stems that have 2 lines of hairs. Grows in grassy places, in meadows and open woodlands, and on verges. FLOWERS are 10-12mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and blue with a white centre; borne on slender stalks in open, terminal spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are flattened, hairy and heart-shaped capsules. LEAVES are oval, toothed, hairy and short-stalked. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    130744.jpg
  • REMOTE SEDGE Carex remota (Cyperaceae) Height to 60cm<br />
Slender and rather distinctive sedge of damp, shady places. FLOWERS are arranged in an extended inflorescence, 10-20cm long, with widely spaced spikes and long, leafy bracts (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are greenish, egg-shaped and flattened with a short beak. LEAVES are pale green, narrow and rough-edged. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    130604.jpg
  • PIRRI-PIRRI-BUR Acaena novae-zelandiae (Rosaceae) Height to 15cm. Creeping and much-divided, downy perennial. Favours dry, sandy places, often near the coast. FLOWERS are tiny and whitish; borne in compact, rounded heads (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are reddish, spiny and bur-like. LEAVES are pinnately divided with 4-5 pairs of leaflets. STATUS-Introduced from New Zealand and now established locally.
    130010.jpg
  • SICKLE MEDICK Medicago sativa ssp. falcata (Height to 70cm) is native form of cultivated Lucerne from which it differs in its yellow flowers and its sickle-shaped (not spiral) pods. It grows in grassy places in the Brecks, and is sometimes found on roadside verges.
    129930.jpg
  • CLUSTERED CLOVER Trifolium glomeratum (Fabaceae) Height to 20cm. Hairless annual of dry, grassy places, often on sand or gravel, especially near the sea. FLOWERS are pink and borne in unstalked, egg-shaped heads (terminal and along stem) that are 15mm long (May-Jul). FRUITS are concealed by calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate with spoon-shaped leaflets that are smooth, with toothed margins. STATUS-Locally common, mainly in coastal districts of S and SW.
    143531.jpg
  • COMMON VALERIAN Valeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae) Height to 1.5m. Upright, usually unbranched perennial. Grows in grassy, wayside places, beside rivers and in woodland; favours both dry and damp soil, growing tallest in latter situation. FLOWERS are 3-5mm long, the corolla funnel-shaped, 5-lobed and pale pink; borne in dense, terminal umbels (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are oblong with a feathery pappus. LEAVES are lanceolate, toothed and in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131342.jpg
  • AMERICAN WILLOWHERB Epilobium ciliatum (Onograceae) Height to 50cm. Upright perennial; stems have 4 raised lines and spreading, glandular hairs. Found on waste ground and damp, shady places. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across with pink, notched petals and a club-shaped stigma (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are narrow-oval, toothed and short-stalked. STATUS-Introduced but widely naturalised.
    131285.jpg
  • CREEPING BUTTERCUP Ranunculus repens (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Often unwelcome perennial of lawns and other grassy places. Long, rooting runners aid its spread. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 yellow petals and upright sepals; borne on furrowed stalks (May-Aug). FRUITS are borne in rounded heads. LEAVES are hairy and divided into 3 lobes; middle lobe is stalked. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    130771.jpg
  • SULPHUR CINQUEFOIL Potentilla recta (Rosaceae) Height to 70cm. Upright, hairy perennial with stiff stems. Favours dry, grassy places and waste ground. FLOWERS are 2-2.5cm across with 5 pale yellow petals; in terminal clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry and papery. LEAVES are palmately divided into 5 or 7 finger-like lobes. STATUS-Occasionally naturalised in S and E England.
    130342.jpg
  • CLUSTERED CLOVER Trifolium glomeratum (Fabaceae) Height to 20cm. Hairless annual of dry, grassy places, often on sand or gravel, especially near the sea. FLOWERS are pink and borne in unstalked, egg-shaped heads (terminal and along stem) that are 15mm long (May-Jul). FRUITS are concealed by calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate with spoon-shaped leaflets that are smooth, with toothed margins. STATUS-Locally common, mainly in coastal districts of S and SW.
    143530.jpg
  • TUBEROUS COMFREY Symphytum tuberosum (Boraginaceae) Height to 1.3m. Similar to Common Comfrey, but note flower colour and unbranched habit. Grows in shady place. FLOWERS are 12-18mm long and creamy yellow (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are rough nutlets. LEAVES are oval; middle leaves are longest. STATUS-Local, mainly in N.
    130906.jpg
  • Brown Pelican - Pelicanus occidentalis - juvenile
    160495.jpg
  • Southern or  South American Sea lion cow - Otaria flavescens
    159605.jpg
  • Southern or  South American Sea lion cow - Otaria flavescens
    159604.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    143428.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    143429.jpg
  • Southern Skua - Stercorarius antarcticus
    143430.jpg
  • Southern Skua - Stercorarius antarcticus
    143431.jpg
  • Gentoo Penguin - Pygoscelis papua
    143434.jpg
  • Gentoo Penguin - Pygoscelis papua
    143435.jpg
  • King Cormorant - Phalacrocorax atriceps albiventer
    143440.jpg
  • King Cormorant - Phalacrocorax atriceps albiventer
    143439.jpg
  • Rock Shag - Phalacrocorax magellanicus
    143447.jpg
  • Ruddy-headed Goose - Chloephaga rubidiceps
    143454.jpg
  • Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina  - pup. Length 2-3m, weight 400-850kg Massive seal. Male is up to four times larger than female, with distinctive proboscis. Breeds on Sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia.
    157633.jpg
  • COMMON DOG-VIOLET Viola riviniana (Violaceae) Height to 12cm. Familiar perennial herb of woodland rides and grassland. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across and bluish violet with a blunt, pale spur that is notched at the tip, and pointed sepals (Mar-May). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are long-stalked, heart-shaped and mainly hairless. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
    130710.jpg
  • Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus
    157652.jpg
  • PASQUEFLOWER Pulsatilla vulgaris (Ranunculaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial of dry, calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are purple, bell-shaped with 6 petal-like sepals; upright at first, then nodding (Apr-May). FRUITS comprise seeds with long silky hairs. LEAVES are divided 2 or 3 times and comprise narrow leaflets. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few sites in S and E England.
    156655.jpg
  • PASQUEFLOWER Pulsatilla vulgaris (Ranunculaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial of dry, calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are purple, bell-shaped with 6 petal-like sepals; upright at first, then nodding (Apr-May). FRUITS comprise seeds with long silky hairs. LEAVES are divided 2 or 3 times and comprise narrow leaflets. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few sites in S and E England.
    156654.jpg
  • TALL RAMPING-FUMITORY Fumaria bastardii (Fumariaceae) Height to 15cm. Robust upright annual of arable fields and waste ground. FLOWERS are 9-11mm long, pink with a purple tip, the lower petal parallel-sided (not paddle-shaped); borne in spikes of 15-25 flowers (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are globular and 1-seeded. LEAVES are much-divided. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common only in W Britain and Ireland.
    141387.jpg
  • SCENTED MAYWEED Matricaria recutita (Asteraceae) Height to 60cm. Similar to Scentless Mayweed but scented and aromatic. Grows on disturbed ground. FLOWERS are borne in clusters of solitary, long-stalked heads, 20-30mm across, with yellow disc florets and white ray florets (Jun-Aug). No scales between disc florets. Receptacle is hollow and conical. FRUITS are achenes without black oil glands. LEAVES are feathery and much-divided. STATUS-Widespread and common only in the S.
    141370.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.
    141369.jpg
  • HOARY WILLOWHERB Epilobium parviflorum (Onograceae) Height to 75cm. Downy perennial. Similar to Great Willowherb but smaller, with non-clasping leaves. Found in damp habitats. FLOWERS are 12mm across with pale pink, notched petals and a 4-lobed stigma (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are broadly oval; upper ones are alternate. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in N.
    131352.jpg
  • HOARY WILLOWHERB Epilobium parviflorum (Onograceae) Height to 75cm. Downy perennial. Similar to Great Willowherb but smaller, with non-clasping leaves. Found in damp habitats. FLOWERS are 12mm across with pale pink, notched petals and a 4-lobed stigma (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are broadly oval; upper ones are alternate. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in N.
    131351.jpg
  • MEADOW SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga granulata (Saxifragaceae) Height to 45cm. Attractive, hairy perennial of grassy meadows, mainly on neutral or basic soils. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 white petals; borne in open clusters (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are kidney-shaped with blunt teeth; bulbils are produced at leaf axils in autumn. STATUS-Local, commonest in E England.
    130783.jpg
  • HAIRY VIOLET Viola hirta (Violaceae) Height to 15cm<br />
Similar to Sweet Violet but unscented and much more hairy. Found in dry grassland, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 15mm across, with pale violet petals and blunt sepals (Mar-May). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are narrow and hairy. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in England and Wales; absent from N, scarce in Ireland.
    130734.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
  • PASQUEFLOWER Pulsatilla vulgaris (Ranunculaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial of dry, calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are purple, bell-shaped with 6 petal-like sepals; upright at first, then nodding (Apr-May). FRUITS comprise seeds with long silky hairs. LEAVES are divided 2 or 3 times and comprise narrow leaflets. STATUS-Rare and restricted to a few sites in S and E England.
    130726.jpg
  • HAIRY VIOLET Viola hirta (Violaceae) Height to 15cm<br />
Similar to Sweet Violet but unscented and much more hairy. Found in dry grassland, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 15mm across, with pale violet petals and blunt sepals (Mar-May). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are narrow and hairy. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in England and Wales; absent from N, scarce in Ireland.
    130725.jpg
  • HAIRY VIOLET Viola hirta (Violaceae) Height to 15cm<br />
Similar to Sweet Violet but unscented and much more hairy. Found in dry grassland, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 15mm across, with pale violet petals and blunt sepals (Mar-May). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are narrow and hairy. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in England and Wales; absent from N, scarce in Ireland.
    130722.jpg
  • BULBOUS BUTTERCUP Ranunculus bulbosus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals; borne on furrowed stalks (Mar-Jul). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUS-Widespread and often abundant.
    130717.jpg
  • SPRING VETCH Vicia lathyroides (Fabaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Rather delicate, spreading and downy annual. Found in short grassland, mainly on sandy soils and near the sea. FLOWERS are 5-8mm long, reddish purple and solitary (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are black, hairless pods. LEAVES comprise 2-4 pairs of bristle-tipped leaflets and unbranched tendrils. STATUS-Local throughout the region.
    130703.jpg
  • BULBOUS BUTTERCUP Ranunculus bulbosus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals; borne on furrowed stalks (Mar-Jul). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUS-Widespread and often abundant.
    130702.jpg
  • MEADOW BUTTERCUP Ranunculus acris (Ranunculaceae) Height to 1m. Downy perennial of damp grassland habitats. FLOWERS are 18-25mm across and comprise 5 shiny, yellow petals with upright sepals; borne on long, unfurrowed stalks (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are hook-tipped and borne in a rounded head. LEAVES are rounded and divided into 3-7 lobes; upper ones are unstalked. STATUS-Widespread and abundant throughout.
    130688.jpg
  • COMMON DOG-VIOLET Viola riviniana (Violaceae) Height to 12cm. Familiar perennial herb of woodland rides and grassland. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across and bluish violet with a blunt, pale spur that is notched at the tip, and pointed sepals (Mar-May). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are long-stalked, heart-shaped and mainly hairless. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
    144466.jpg
  • Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil - Lotus pedunculatus
    161365.jpg
  • Germander Speedwell - Veronica chamaedrys
    159404.jpg
  • Scented Mayweed - Matricaria recutita
    159453.jpg
  • Twin-headed Clover - Trifolium bocconei
    159304.jpg
  • Scented Mayweed - Matricaria recutita
    159127.jpg
  • King Cormorant - Phalacrocorax atriceps albiventer
    135519.jpg
  • Market Place at dusk, Newbury, Berkshire, Uk
    154496.jpg
  • Traditional log-burning fire
    133014.jpg
  • Goat Willow (Sallow) - Salix caprea (Salicaceae). HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.Goat Willow (Sallow) Salix caprea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the sho
    157425.jpg
  • Goat Willow (Sallow) - Salix caprea (Salicaceae). HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.
    157426.jpg
  • Goat Willow (Sallow) Salix caprea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.
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  • Goat Willow (Sallow) Salix caprea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.
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  • Goat Willow (Sallow) Salix caprea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.
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  • Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W 65-80cm. Familiar small falcon that habitually hovers where look-out perches are not available. Feeds on small mammals, ground-dwelling birds and insects. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head, and blue-grey tail with black terminal band. Underparts are creamy buff with bold black spots. In flight from above, dark outer wing contrasts with orange-brown inner wing and back. Adult female has barred brown upperparts and pale creamy buff underparts with dark spots. In flight from above, contrast between brown inner wing and dark outer wing is less distinct than with male and tail is barred. Juvenile resembles adult female but upperparts are more reddish brown. Voice Utters a shrill kee-kee-kee… Status Common and widespread in open, grassy places. Breeding success dependent upon prey populations, notably Short-tailed Voles and Wood Mice.
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  • Autumn Hawkbit - Leontodon autumnalis. Variable hairless or slightly hairy perennial. Grows in dry, grassy places, mostly on acid soils. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 15-35mm across, with yellow florets; the involucre tapers gradually to the stem that bears numerous scale-like bracts below the head (Jun-Oct). Flowering stems branch 2-3 times. FRUITS form a white clock. LEAVES are oblong and deeply pinnately lobed. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Meadow Vetchling - Lathyrus pratensis. Height to 50cm. Scrambling perennial with long, angled stems. Favours grassy places. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long and yellow; borne in open, long-stalked terminal clusters of 4-12 flowers (May-Aug). FRUITS are 25-35mm long pods that ripen black. LEAVES comprise 1 pair of narrow leaflets with a tendril and large stipules. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Red Campion - Silene dioica. Height to 1m<br />
Hairy biennial or perennial of hedgerows, grassy banks and wayside places generally. FLOWERS are reddish pink and 20-30mm across; male flowers are smaller than females and on separate plants (Mar-Oct). FRUITS reveal 10 reflexed teeth when ripe. LEAVES are hairy and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus - male (top row) - female (middle and bottom row). Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
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  • Argiope Spider - Argiope bruennichii - female. Once rare and confined to a few places on the south coast, this species is now common in southern Britain. It inhabits long grass with perennial herbs and scrub in all sorts of habitats.
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  • WHITE CLOVER Trifolium repens (Fabaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping, hairless perennial that roots at the nodes. Found in grassy places on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are creamy white, becoming brown with age; borne in long-stalked rounded heads, 2cm across (May-Oct). FRUITS are concealed by the calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate, the rounded leaflets often bearing white mark and translucent lateral veins. STATUS-Widespread and often extremely common throughout the region.
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  • WHITE CLOVER Trifolium repens (Fabaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping, hairless perennial that roots at the nodes. Found in grassy places on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are creamy white, becoming brown with age; borne in long-stalked rounded heads, 2cm across (May-Oct). FRUITS are concealed by the calyx. LEAVES are trifoliate, the rounded leaflets often bearing white mark and translucent lateral veins. STATUS-Widespread and often extremely common throughout the region.
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  • Round-leaved Crowfoot - Ranunculus omiophyllus (Ranunculaceae) Floating. Creeping annual or biennial. Favours damp, muddy places, often water seepages. FLOWERS are 8-12mm across and comprise 5 white petals, twice as long as sepals (May-Aug). FRUITS are borne in rounded heads. LEAVES are lobed and rounded. STATUS-Rather local and restricted mainly to S and W England and Wales, and S Ireland.
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  • Round-leaved Crowfoot - Ranunculus omiophyllus (Ranunculaceae) Floating. Creeping annual or biennial. Favours damp, muddy places, often water seepages. FLOWERS are 8-12mm across and comprise 5 white petals, twice as long as sepals (May-Aug). FRUITS are borne in rounded heads. LEAVES are lobed and rounded.
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  • Osprey Pandion haliaetus W 145-160cm. The classic fish-eating raptor. Can look gull-like in flight but fishing technique is unmistakable: hovers, then plunges talons first into water. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts, except for pale crown; underparts are mainly whitish with darker chest band. In flight from below, looks pale overall with dark carpal patches, dark band along base of flight feathers and dark terminal band on barred tail. Juvenile is similar to adult but darker markings are less distinct. Voice Utters various whistling calls. Status Migrant visitor, seldom seen far from water even on migration. Nests close to large waterbodies, mainly in N. Breeding range is gradually extending S; also introduced in places (notably Rutland Water). Passage migrants sometimes linger for a few days at fish-rich lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Svensson's Copper Underwing Amphipyra berbera Length 24-26mm. A well-marked moth that is very similar to Copper Underwing. Rests with its wings held flat, or with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Often congregates communally in dark places in the daytime. ADULT has brown forewings overall, marked with jagged white and dark lines, and showing a pale central eyespot. The hindwing underside has an orange flush that extends towards the base of wing on the trailing edge (more extensive than in Copper Underwing). Seen head-on, the palps are dark with whitish tips. Flies July-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and generally common in southern and central Britain.
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  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
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  • Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm. Britain’s commonest and most widespread blue butterfly. Adult male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown (sometimes tinged blue in the middle) with submarginal orange spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with white-ringed dark spots and orange submarginal spots on hindwing. Flies April–September in two or three successive broods. Larva feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and related plants. Common in grassy places where larval foodplant grows.
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  • Shore Rockling Gaidropsarus mediterraneus Length to 40cm<br />
Elongated, eel-like fish; head has 3 barbels. Found on lower shore, under rocks and in pools. Adult is dark brown overall, paler below than above. Head has 3 barbels. Fin arrangement is similar to that of Five-bearded. Local, SW only. NOTE Young of this species, and other rocklings, are known as ‘mackerel midges’ and are greenish above, silvery below; they are found among drifting seaweed rafts, and tangled hiding places on the seabed.
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  • Cultivated Apple Malus domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A familiar orchard tree producing copious quantities of edible fruits. BARK Usually brown and fissured. BRANCHES Tangled unless pruned. The twigs are downy. LEAVES Up to 13cm long, elliptical and rounded at the base with a slightly pointed tip and toothed margin. They are slightly downy on the upper surface and normally very downy on the lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white or tinged with pink and, in some varieties, produced abundantly in short-stalked clusters. The fruits are normally larger than 5cm in diameter and indented at the pedicel. A great variety of shapes, sizes, tastes and colours exist. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Almost al¬ways found in cultivation in orchards and gardens across much of Britain and Ireland. Occasionally naturalized, or found in isolated places where human habitation once occurred, or where apple cores, containing  seeds (‘pips’) have been discarded. Cultivated Apple is a hybrid species, probably between the wild Crab Apple M. sylvestris and M. dasyphylla, and possibly M. praecox.
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  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
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  • Cultivated Apple Malus domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A familiar orchard tree producing copious quantities of edible fruits. BARK Usually brown and fissured. BRANCHES Tangled unless pruned. The twigs are downy. LEAVES Up to 13cm long, elliptical and rounded at the base with a slightly pointed tip and toothed margin. They are slightly downy on the upper surface and normally very downy on the lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white or tinged with pink and, in some varieties, produced abundantly in short-stalked clusters. The fruits are normally larger than 5cm in diameter and indented at the pedicel. A great variety of shapes, sizes, tastes and colours exist. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Almost al¬ways found in cultivation in orchards and gardens across much of Britain and Ireland. Occasionally naturalized, or found in isolated places where human habitation once occurred, or where apple cores, containing  seeds (‘pips’) have been discarded. Cultivated Apple is a hybrid species, probably between the wild Crab Apple M. sylvestris and M. dasyphylla, and possibly M. praecox.
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  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
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  • Calabrian Pine Pinus brutia (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m<br />
Closely related to Aleppo Pine, but leaves are broader (1– 1.5mm), darker green and stiffer. Twigs are reddish-yellow or greenish. Cones spread out from the twig and are never deflexed. Occurs in similar places, but further east, in Calabria, Crete, Cyprus and Turkey, where it can form open forests on coastal hills. Planted here occasionally
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  • Cultivated Apple Malus domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A familiar orchard tree producing copious quantities of edible fruits. BARK Usually brown and fissured. BRANCHES Tangled unless pruned. The twigs are downy. LEAVES Up to 13cm long, elliptical and rounded at the base with a slightly pointed tip and toothed margin. They are slightly downy on the upper surface and normally very downy on the lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white or tinged with pink and, in some varieties, produced abundantly in short-stalked clusters. The fruits are normally larger than 5cm in diameter and indented at the pedicel. A great variety of shapes, sizes, tastes and colours exist. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Almost al¬ways found in cultivation in orchards and gardens across much of Britain and Ireland. Occasionally naturalized, or found in isolated places where human habitation once occurred, or where apple cores, containing  seeds (‘pips’) have been discarded. Cultivated Apple is a hybrid species, probably between the wild Crab Apple M. sylvestris and M. dasyphylla, and possibly M. praecox.
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  • Cultivated Apple Malus domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A familiar orchard tree producing copious quantities of edible fruits. BARK Usually brown and fissured. BRANCHES Tangled unless pruned. The twigs are downy. LEAVES Up to 13cm long, elliptical and rounded at the base with a slightly pointed tip and toothed margin. They are slightly downy on the upper surface and normally very downy on the lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white or tinged with pink and, in some varieties, produced abundantly in short-stalked clusters. The fruits are normally larger than 5cm in diameter and indented at the pedicel. A great variety of shapes, sizes, tastes and colours exist. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Almost al¬ways found in cultivation in orchards and gardens across much of Britain and Ireland. Occasionally naturalized, or found in isolated places where human habitation once occurred, or where apple cores, containing  seeds (‘pips’) have been discarded. Cultivated Apple is a hybrid species, probably between the wild Crab Apple M. sylvestris and M. dasyphylla, and possibly M. praecox.
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  • Cultivated Apple Malus domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A familiar orchard tree producing copious quantities of edible fruits. BARK Usually brown and fissured. BRANCHES Tangled unless pruned. The twigs are downy. LEAVES Up to 13cm long, elliptical and rounded at the base with a slightly pointed tip and toothed margin. They are slightly downy on the upper surface and normally very downy on the lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white or tinged with pink and, in some varieties, produced abundantly in short-stalked clusters. The fruits are normally larger than 5cm in diameter and indented at the pedicel. A great variety of shapes, sizes, tastes and colours exist. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Almost al¬ways found in cultivation in orchards and gardens across much of Britain and Ireland. Occasionally naturalized, or found in isolated places where human habitation once occurred, or where apple cores, containing  seeds (‘pips’) have been discarded. Cultivated Apple is a hybrid species, probably between the wild Crab Apple M. sylvestris and M. dasyphylla, and possibly M. praecox.
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  • COMMON CORNSALAD Valerianella locusta (Valerianaceae) Height to 30cm. Branched and almost hairless annual. Grows in dry, grassy and bare places including arable land, old walls and dunes. FLOWERS are 1-2mm across, the corolla pinkish lilac and 5-lobed; borne in flat-topped terminal clusters, 1-2cm across (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and rather ovate. LEAVES are spoon-shaped towards the base of the plant but oblong higher up. STATUS-Widespread across the region but only locally common.
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  • WILD LIQUORICE Astragalus glycophyllos (Fabaceae) Height to 30cm. Sprawling, hairless perennial with branched, zigzag stems. Found in dry, grassy places on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and yellowish green; in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are curved and up to 4cm long. LEAVES are 15-20cm long with oval leaflets and large basal stipules. STATUS-Local, mainly E England and S Scotland.
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