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  • Tassel Hyacinth - Muscari comosum
    162695.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    154195.jpg
  • ST PATRICK’S-CABBAGE Saxifraga spathularis (Saxifragaceae) Height to 30cm. Tufted perennial of damp rocky places. FLOWERS are star-shaped and white; the five petals have yellow basal spots and red spots above. Borne on slender stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are spoon-shaped, toothed and stalked; appear as a basal rosette. STATUS- Very locally common in W Ireland and Wicklow.
    141574.jpg
  • ASARABACCA Asarum europaeum (Aristolochiaeae) Height to 30cm. Evergreen perennial associated with shady banks and woodland margins. Note the creeping, hairy stems. In suitable locations, forms carpets often alongside ivy. FLOWERS are purplish brown, 15mm long, bell-shaped with 3 terminal lobes (May-Aug). FRUITS are brownish capsules. LEAVES are dark green, shiny and kidney-shaped. STATUS-Native in a few locations but also naturalised.
    133468.jpg
  • DEADLY NIGHTSHADE Atropa belladonna (Solanaceae) Height to 1m. Robust and much-branched, and often downy perennial. Grows in scrub and open woods, and on disturbed ground, almost always on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 25-30mm across, purplish and bell-shaped; pendent and borne on stalks that arise from the leaf axils (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are globular, black berries, 15-20mm across. As the common name suggests, these are deadly poisonous. LEAVES are broadly oval, pointed and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in S and E England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131813.jpg
  • SWORD-LEAVED HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera longifolia (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. An elegant orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils. Superficially similar to White Helleborine. FLOWERS are 20mm long, pure white, bell-shaped and open more fully than those of White Helleborine; each has a leafy bract, and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS form at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are long and narrow (narrower than White Helleborine), the largest at the base. STATUS-Local and scarce, least so in SE England where it occurs in scattered colonies.
    130914.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    137109.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    143327.jpg
  • Dark Grape Hyacinth - Muscari neglecta
    162689.jpg
  • White Helleborine - Cephalanthera damasonium
    162527.jpg
  • White Helleborine - Cephalanthera damasonium
    162528.jpg
  • White Helleborine - Cephalanthera damasonium
    162526.jpg
  • St Patrick's-cabbage - Saxifraga spathularis
    162332.jpg
  • Harebell - Campanula rotundifolia
    162300.jpg
  • Hedge Bindweed - Calystegia sepium. Climbing,  to 2-3m. Vigorous, hairless perennial that twines around other plants to assist its progress. Found in hedgerows, woodland margins and on disturbed ground, often swamping the plants on, and through which, it grows by late summer. FLOWERS are 3-4cm across, white and funnel-shaped (Jun-Sep); the 2 epicalyx bracts, which surround the sepals, do not overlap one another. FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are arrow-shaped and up to 12cm long. STATUS-Widespread and common in the S but scarce in the N.
    157343.jpg
  • WHITE HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera damasonium (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Attractive orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils, often under beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, creamy white, bell-shaped and partially open; each has a leafy bract and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are broad and oval at the base, but become smaller up the stem. STATUS-Locally common in S England only.
    156685.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    154194.jpg
  • Common Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Rosaceae Height to 15m. Spreading deciduous tree or shrub. Bark Fissured with vertical grooves. Branches Densely packed, with sharp spines. Leaves To 4.5cm long, deeply lobed, with teeth near apex. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 15mm across, in flat-topped clusters of 10–18 (May). Fruits (‘haws’) rounded and red. Status Common native of hedgerows and scrub, especially on chalk.
    135360.jpg
  • COMMON SOLOMON’S-SEAL Polygonatum multiflorum (Liliaceae) Height to 60cm. Creeping perennial with rounded, arching stems. Grows in dry woodland, often on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are bell-shaped, waisted in the middle, and white; in clusters of 1-3, arising from leaf axils (May-Jun). FRUITS are bluish black berries. LEAVES are ovate and alternate. STATUS-Locally common in S England only; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    143167.jpg
  • AUTUMN SQUILL Scilla autumnalis (Liliaceae) Height to 7cm<br />
Similar to Spring Squill but separable by flowering time and subtle difference in appearance of the flowers. Confined to coastal grassland. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, bell-shaped and bluish purple; borne in compact, terminal clusters on a slender stalk, the flowers lacking an accompanying bract (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are wiry, basal and appear in autumn. STATUS-Coasts of SW England only.
    140421.jpg
  • FIELD GARLIC Allium oleraceum (Liliaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Perennial of dry, grassy places. FLOWERS are whitish and bell-shaped, with stamens not protruding; long-stalked and borne in open heads with bulbils and 2 long bracts, the longest 15-20cm long (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are slender and semi-circular or rounded and channelled in cross-section. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    140310.jpg
  • WHITE HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera damasonium (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Attractive orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils, often under beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, creamy white, bell-shaped and partially open; each has a leafy bract and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are broad and oval at the base, but become smaller up the stem. STATUS-Locally common in S England only.
    139932.jpg
  • PASQUEFLOWER Pulsatilla vulgaris (Ranunculaceae)  Height to 25cm. Silky-hairy 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.
    137668.jpg
  • Apple of Peru Nicandra physalodes Height to 80cm<br />
Straggly, poisonous and foetid annual. Grows on disturbed ground. Flowers are bell-shaped, 3-4cm across and bluish-lilac with a white centre; they open only briefly, June-September. Fruits are berries enclosed in a capsule. Leaves are oval and pointed. Status-Naturalised and scarce.
    135494.jpg
  • Apple of Peru Nicandra physalodes Height to 80cm<br />
Straggly, poisonous and foetid annual. Grows on disturbed ground. Flowers are bell-shaped, 3-4cm across and bluish-lilac with a white centre; they open only briefly, June-September. Fruits are berries enclosed in a capsule. Leaves are oval and pointed. Status-Naturalised and scarce.
    135493.jpg
  • GRAPE-HYACINTH Muscari armeniacum (Height to 25cm) is often grown in gardens but is also thought to be native to Britain at a few Breckland sites. The leaves are narrow, bright green and basal, and the flowers are blue, egg-shaped and borne in conical spikes, 3-4cm long (Apr-May).
    133527.jpg
  • SPRING SNOWFLAKE Leucojum vernum. Similar to Summer Snowflake L. aestivum but with solitary flowers. Rare native, Somerset and Dorset only.
    133344.jpg
  • MARSH GENTIAN Gentiana pneumonanthe (Gentianaceae) Height to 30cm. Scarce and attractive, hairless perennial of bogs and damp, grassy heaths on acid soils. FLOWERS are 25-45mm long, trumpet-shaped and bright blue, the outside of the corolla tube being marked with 5 green stripes; borne in terminal clusters (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, blunt, 1-veined and borne up the stem in opposite pairs. STATUS-Local, with scattered sites in England and Wales.
    132106.jpg
  • HEDGE BINDWEED Calystegia sepium (Convolvulaceae) Climbing,  to 2-3m. Vigorous, hairless perennial that twines around other plants to assist its progress. Found in hedgerows, woodland margins and on disturbed ground, often swamping the plants on, and through which, it grows by late summer. FLOWERS are 3-4cm across, white and funnel-shaped (Jun-Sep); the 2 epicalyx bracts, which surround the sepals, do not overlap one another. FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are arrow-shaped and up to 12cm long. STATUS-Widespread and common in the S but scarce in the N.
    131944.jpg
  • LARGE BINDWEED Calystegia silvatica (Convolvulaceae) Climbing, to 2-4m. Vigorous, hairless perennial that is similar to Hedge Bindweed; subtle differences in flower structure allow separation. Grows on disturbed ground and roadside verges, twining around other plants to assist its progress. FLOWERS are 6-7cm across, white and funnel-shaped (Jun-Sep); the 2 epicalyx bracts overlap one another and conceal the sepals. FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are arrow-shaped and up to 12cm long. STATUS-Naturalised, mainly in the where it is locally common.
    131927.jpg
  • DEADLY NIGHTSHADE Atropa belladonna (Solanaceae) Height to 1m. Robust and much-branched, and often downy perennial. Grows in scrub and open woods, and on disturbed ground, almost always on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 25-30mm across, purplish and bell-shaped; pendent and borne on stalks that arise from the leaf axils (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are globular, black berries, 15-20mm across. As the common name suggests, these are deadly poisonous. LEAVES are broadly oval, pointed and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in S and E England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131814.jpg
  • DEADLY NIGHTSHADE Atropa belladonna (Solanaceae) Height to 1m. Robust and much-branched, and often downy perennial. Grows in scrub and open woods, and on disturbed ground, almost always on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 25-30mm across, purplish and bell-shaped; pendent and borne on stalks that arise from the leaf axils (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are globular, black berries, 15-20mm across. As the common name suggests, these are deadly poisonous. LEAVES are broadly oval, pointed and stalked. STATUS-Locally common in S and E England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131812.jpg
  • GIANT BELLFLOWER Campanula latifolia (Campanulaceae) Height to 1m. Upright perennial. Recalls Nettle-leaved Bellflower but larger, downy or hairless and with bluntly-angled stems; flowers are larger. Grows in shady woods and hedgerows. FLOWERS are 4-5.5cm long, the corolla pale blue (sometimes white) and bell-shaped, with triangular lobes; in tall, leafy spikes (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are ovate to lanceolate and toothed; lower ones have winged stalks. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in central and N England; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131406.jpg
  • WHITE HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera damasonium (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Attractive orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils, often under beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, creamy white, bell-shaped and partially open; each has a leafy bract and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are broad and oval at the base, but become smaller up the stem. STATUS-Locally common in S England only.
    131004.jpg
  • SWORD-LEAVED HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera longifolia (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. An elegant orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils. Superficially similar to White Helleborine. FLOWERS are 20mm long, pure white, bell-shaped and open more fully than those of White Helleborine; each has a leafy bract, and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS form at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are long and narrow (narrower than White Helleborine), the largest at the base. STATUS-Local and scarce, least so in SE England where it occurs in scattered colonies.
    130926.jpg
  • Yellow Asphodel Asphodeline lutea (Height to 1metre) Upright, hairless perennial. Mediterranean and southern Europe. Leaves, narrow, grey-green and mainly basal. Flowers yellow, star-shaped and 3-4cm across; borne on tall flower spikes, March-May. Grows on stony ground and garrigue.
    101807.jpg
  • HAREBELL Campanula rotundifolia (Campanulaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive and delicate, hairless perennial with wiry stems. Grows in dry, grassy places, both on calcareous and acid soils. FLOWERS are 15mm long, the corolla blue and bell-shaped with sharp, triangular teeth; nodding and borne on slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES comprise rounded ones at the base of the plant, which soon wither, and narrower stem leaves that persist while the plant is in flower. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in SW of the region.
    144501.jpg
  • HAREBELL Campanula rotundifolia (Campanulaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive and delicate, hairless perennial with wiry stems. Grows in dry, grassy places, both on calcareous and acid soils. FLOWERS are 15mm long, the corolla blue and bell-shaped with sharp, triangular teeth; nodding and borne on slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES comprise rounded ones at the base of the plant, which soon wither, and narrower stem leaves that persist while the plant is in flower. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in SW of the region.
    144502.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    104747.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    137110.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    137562.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    137936.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    143322.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    143323.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    143325.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    143326.jpg
  • HAREBELL Campanula rotundifolia (Campanulaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive and delicate, hairless perennial with wiry stems. Grows in dry, grassy places, both on calcareous and acid soils. FLOWERS are 15mm long, the corolla blue and bell-shaped with sharp, triangular teeth; nodding and borne on slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES comprise rounded ones at the base of the plant, which soon wither, and narrower stem leaves that persist while the plant is in flower. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in SW of the region.
    139851.jpg
  • Nightingale - Luscinia megarhynchos
    158139.jpg
  • Bunching Reeds, Cley Marsh, Norfolk, UK
    143181.jpg
  • Marsh Gentian - Gentiana pneumonanthe
    161424.jpg
  • Marsh Gentian - Gentiana pneumonanthe
    161423.jpg
  • Marsh Gentian - Gentiana pneumonanthe
    161421.jpg
  • Wych Elm - Ulmus glabra
    161374.jpg
  • Hedge Bindweed - Calystegia sepium
    161347.jpg
  • Hedge Bindweed - Calystegia sepium
    161345.jpg
  • Hedge Bindweed - Calystegia sepium
    161337.jpg
  • Harebell - Campanula rotundifolia
    161281.jpg
  • Sword-leaved Helleborine - Cephalanthera longifolia
    160995.jpg
  • White helleborine - Cephalanthera damasonium
    161014.jpg
  • White helleborine - Cephalanthera damasonium
    161015.jpg
  • Sword-leaved helleborine - Cephalanthera longifolia
    161016.jpg
  • Sword-leaved Helleborine - Cephalanthera longifolia
    159419.jpg
  • Harebell - Campanula rotundifolia
    159358.jpg
  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus L 60-75cm. Similar to Bean Goose, but smaller and more compact; smaller bill is marked with pink. Pink leg colour is diagnostic. In flight, note pale blue-grey back, rump and upperwing coverts, and extent of white on tail. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark chocolate-brown head and upper neck, grading to buffish brown on breast and belly. Back is blue-grey with pale feather margins. Juvenile is similar but back is buffish and feathers lack clear pale margins; leg and bill colours are dull. Voice Utters nasal, trumpeting cackles; higher pitched than Bean Goose. Status Locally common winter visitor, mainly from Iceland; favours stubble fields and grassland.
    157620.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    158075.jpg
  • Bunching Reeds Cley Marsh Norfolk
    143182.jpg
  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus L 60-75cm. Similar to Bean Goose, but smaller and more compact; smaller bill is marked with pink. Pink leg colour is diagnostic. In flight, note pale blue-grey back, rump and upperwing coverts, and extent of white on tail. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark chocolate-brown head and upper neck, grading to buffish brown on breast and belly. Back is blue-grey with pale feather margins. Juvenile is similar but back is buffish and feathers lack clear pale margins; leg and bill colours are dull. Voice Utters nasal, trumpeting cackles; higher pitched than Bean Goose. Status Locally common winter visitor, mainly from Iceland; favours stubble fields and grassland.
    128794.jpg
  • Dartford Warbler - Sylvia undata
    160785.jpg
  • Black Kite - Milvus migrans
    162207.jpg
  • Pyrola rotundifolia subsp norvegica - Varanger, Norway
    162789.jpg
  • Clustered Bellflower - Campanula glomerata
    159213.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
  • RAMPION BELLFLOWER Campanula rapunculus. Height to 1m. Upright biennial of grassy places and roadside verges. Flowers 1-2cm long, bell-shaped and pale blue, usually on short stalks and held erect (June-Aug). Fruits dry capsules. Leaves narrow, the basal ones slightly toothed. Status naturalised in a few sites.
    131845.jpg
  • ROUND-LEAVED WINTERGREEN Pyrola rotundifolia (Pyrolaceae) Height to 15cm. Low-growing perennial of damp, calcareous ground including fens and coastal dune slacks. FLOWERS are 8-12mm across, white and bell-shaped; style is S-shaped and protrudes beyond petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are rounded, long-stalked and form a basal rosette. STATUS-Local and declining across its range.
    131181.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.
    131925.jpg
  • KEELED GARLIC Allium carinatum. Similar to Field Garlic A. oleraceum but with pink flowers and protruding stamens. Naturalised locally.
    131855.jpg
  • CLUSTERED BELLFLOWER Campanula glomerata (Campanulaceae) Height to 25cm. Upright, robust and hairy perennial that grows on grassland and verges, on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 15-25mm long, the corolla violet-blue and bell-shaped, with blunt teeth; borne mainly in terminal clusters (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are long-stalked and heart-shaped at the base of the plant but narrower and clasping on the stem. STATUS-Locally common in S and E England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131697.jpg
  • ROUND-LEAVED WINTERGREEN Pyrola rotundifolia (Pyrolaceae) Height to 15cm. Low-growing perennial of damp, calcareous ground including fens and coastal dune slacks. FLOWERS are 8-12mm across, white and bell-shaped; style is S-shaped and protrudes beyond petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are rounded, long-stalked and form a basal rosette. STATUS-Local and declining across its range.
    131183.jpg
  • Japanese Red Pine Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 15m Young trees are the most attractive, with a neat conical shape. Older trees are less shapely and have a flatter, twiggier crown. BARK Distinctly red and flaky. BRANCHES Usually drooping with bright green shoots showing clearly between the rather sparse foliage. LEAVES Slender, 8-12cm long and shiny green. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pointed cones and reddish, to 5cm long. Flowers and cones are produced on quite young trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China, Japan and Korea, occasionally planted here.
    132797.jpg
  • Japanese Red Pine Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 15m Young trees are the most attractive, with a neat conical shape. Older trees are less shapely and have a flatter, twiggier crown. BARK Distinctly red and flaky. BRANCHES Usually drooping with bright green shoots showing clearly between the rather sparse foliage. LEAVES Slender, 8-12cm long and shiny green. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pointed cones and reddish, to 5cm long. Flowers and cones are produced on quite young trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China, Japan and Korea, occasionally planted here.
    135064.jpg
  • Japanese Red Pine Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 15m Young trees are the most attractive, with a neat conical shape. Older trees are less shapely and have a flatter, twiggier crown. BARK Distinctly red and flaky. BRANCHES Usually drooping with bright green shoots showing clearly between the rather sparse foliage. LEAVES Slender, 8-12cm long and shiny green. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pointed cones and reddish, to 5cm long. Flowers and cones are produced on quite young trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China, Japan and Korea, occasionally planted here.
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  • Japanese Red Pine Pinus densiflora (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 15m Young trees are the most attractive, with a neat conical shape. Older trees are less shapely and have a flatter, twiggier crown. BARK Distinctly red and flaky. BRANCHES Usually drooping with bright green shoots showing clearly between the rather sparse foliage. LEAVES Slender, 8-12cm long and shiny green. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pointed cones and reddish, to 5cm long. Flowers and cones are produced on quite young trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China, Japan and Korea, occasionally planted here.
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  • Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis L 28-34cm. Buoyant waterbird with uptilted bill, steep forehead and beady red eye. White patch on trailing edge of wing seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blackish head, neck and back, with golden-yellow tufts on face. Flanks are chestnut. In winter, has mainly blackish upperparts and white underparts; told from similar Slavonian by head shape and greater extent of black on cheeks. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered coasts; occasional on inland reservoirs. A few pairs nest on shallow, well-vegetated lakes.
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  • Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis L 28-34cm. Buoyant waterbird with uptilted bill, steep forehead and beady red eye. White patch on trailing edge of wing seen in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blackish head, neck and back, with golden-yellow tufts on face. Flanks are chestnut. In winter, has mainly blackish upperparts and white underparts; told from similar Slavonian by head shape and greater extent of black on cheeks. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce winter visitor to sheltered coasts; occasional on inland reservoirs. A few pairs nest on shallow, well-vegetated lakes.
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  • Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae Wingspan 65mm. A beautifully patterned moth whose markings and jagged wing shape give it a resemblance to crumpled, dappled leaves. Adult is typically olive-green with pinkish marbling and darker markings. Flies May–June. Larva is pale green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment, numerous white dots, red spiracles, and red-tinged ‘horn’ at the tail end. Larva feeds mainly on lime. Locally common in lowland southern and central England and Wales.
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  • Western Sublapine Warbler - Sylvia cantillans cantillans - immature. Length 12-13cm. A secretive bird, reminiscent of a Dartford Warbler in size, shape and habits. Adult Male has blue-grey upperparts, except for the brownish wings. The throat and breast are reddish, but note the striking white 'moustache'; the belly is white and note also the red orbital ring. Adult Female and Juvenile have much duller colours than the male, although a hint odf a pale 'moustache' can usually be discerned. Utters a sharp 'tchett' alarm call. The Western Subalpine Warbler breeds in southern Europe and winters in Africa; vagrants (a dozen or so in a good year) occur mainly at migration times, typically in coastal scrub.
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  • The Mullein Shargacucullia verbasci Length 25-27mm. A striking, narrow-winged moth whose shape and markings make it resemble a snapped twig. At rest, the wings are held in a tight tent-like manner, and tufts of hairs project from the head end. Adult has buff wings with dark brown leading and trailing edges, and a lengthways pale stripe. Flies April-May. Larva is white with yellow bands and black spots; feeds on mulleins, figworts and Buddleia. Widespread but common only in southern and central Britain.
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  • Poplar Hawk-moth  Laothoe populi Wingspan 70mm. An interesting moth whose wing shape and colouration is a good match for dry, crumpled leaves. Adult has grey-brown forewings with darker central band containing white crescent mark. At rest, hindwings project slightly in front of forewings; a reddish patch on the hindwing is exposed if the moth is startled. Double-brooded: flies May–August. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on poplar and willows. Common and widespread.
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  • Poplar Hawk-moth  Laothoe populi Wingspan 70mm. An interesting moth whose wing shape and colouration is a good match for dry, crumpled leaves. Adult has grey-brown forewings with darker central band containing white crescent mark. At rest, hindwings project slightly in front of forewings; a reddish patch on the hindwing is exposed if the moth is startled. Double-brooded: flies May–August. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on poplar and willows. Common and widespread.
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  • Poplar Hawk-moth  Laothoe populi Wingspan 70mm. An interesting moth whose wing shape and colouration is a good match for dry, crumpled leaves. Adult has grey-brown forewings with darker central band containing white crescent mark. At rest, hindwings project slightly in front of forewings; a reddish patch on the hindwing is exposed if the moth is startled. Double-brooded: flies May–August. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on poplar and willows. Common and widespread.
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  • Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae Wingspan 65mm. A beautifully patterned moth whose markings and jagged wing shape give it a resemblance to crumpled, dappled leaves. Adult is typically olive-green with pinkish marbling and darker markings. Flies May–June. Larva is pale green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment, numerous white dots, red spiracles, and red-tinged ‘horn’ at the tail end. Larva feeds mainly on lime. Locally common in lowland southern and central England and Wales.
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  • Smooth Japanese Maple Acer palmatum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 16m. Small deciduous tree with a short, usually twisted bole, and domed crown. BARK Smooth brown bark with paler patches in young trees. BRANCHES Numerous and spreading, ending in thin reddish twigs with green undersides. LEAVES To 9cm long, with 5–7, sometimes 11, toothed lobes divided at least half-way to the base of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dark purple-red flowers, in upright clusters of 12–15 on thin green or red 4cm-long pedicels, usually opening in April–May. Reddish fruits usually hang in clusters, each fruit about 2cm across, the wings diverging widely. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here for its compact shape, interesting foliage and fine autumn colours.
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  • Monterey Pine Pinus radiata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Large, variable pine, slender and conical when growing vigorously, becoming more domed and flat-topped on a long bole with age. BARK Fissured and grey, blackening with age. BRANCHES Main ones sometimes hang low enough to touch ground. LEAVES Bright-green needles in bunches of 3; each needle is thin and straight, to 15cm long, with a finely toothed margin and harp-pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers grow in dense clusters near ends of twigs, releasing pollen in spring. Female cones grow in clusters of 3–5 around tips of shoots, ripening to large, solid woody cones, to 15cm long and 9cm across, with a characteristic asymmetrical shape. Cone scales are thick and woody with rounded outer edges, and conceal black, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBTUION Native to a small area around Monterey, California, Guadalupe Island and Baja California, Mexico. Widely planted here in mild areas as a shelter-belt tree or for ornament, growing well next to the sea.
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  • Monterey Pine Pinus radiata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Large, variable pine, slender and conical when growing vigorously, becoming more domed and flat-topped on a long bole with age. BARK Fissured and grey, blackening with age. BRANCHES Main ones sometimes hang low enough to touch ground. LEAVES Bright-green needles in bunches of 3; each needle is thin and straight, to 15cm long, with a finely toothed margin and harp-pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers grow in dense clusters near ends of twigs, releasing pollen in spring. Female cones grow in clusters of 3–5 around tips of shoots, ripening to large, solid woody cones, to 15cm long and 9cm across, with a characteristic asymmetrical shape. Cone scales are thick and woody with rounded outer edges, and conceal black, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBTUION Native to a small area around Monterey, California, Guadalupe Island and Baja California, Mexico. Widely planted here in mild areas as a shelter-belt tree or for ornament, growing well next to the sea.
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  • SEA BEET Beta vulgaris ssp maritima (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 1m. Sprawling, clump-forming perennial of cliffs, shingle beaches and other coastal habitats. FLOWERS are green and borne in dense, leafy spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are spiky; often stick together in a clump. LEAVES are dark green, glossy and leathery with reddish stems; shape varies from oval to triangular. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • SEA BEET Beta vulgaris ssp maritima (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 1m. Sprawling, clump-forming perennial of cliffs, shingle beaches and other coastal habitats. FLOWERS are green and borne in dense, leafy spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are spiky; often stick together in a clump. LEAVES are dark green, glossy and leathery with reddish stems; shape varies from oval to triangular. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • BLACK BRYONY Tamus communis (Dioscoreaceae) Height to 3m. Twining perennial. Similar to White Bryony but note different leaf shape and lack of tendrils. Grows in hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are tiny, yellowish green and 6-petalled; separate-sex plants (May-Aug). FRUITS are red berries. LEAVES are heart-shaped, glossy and netted. STATUS-Widespread in England and Wales.
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  • SEA BEET Beta vulgaris ssp maritima (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 1m. Sprawling, clump-forming perennial of cliffs, shingle beaches and other coastal habitats. FLOWERS are green and borne in dense, leafy spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are spiky; often stick together in a clump. LEAVES are dark green, glossy and leathery with reddish stems; shape varies from oval to triangular. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • BLACK BRYONY Tamus communis (Dioscoreaceae) Height to 3m. Twining perennial. Similar to White Bryony but note different leaf shape and lack of tendrils. Grows in hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are tiny, yellowish green and 6-petalled; separate-sex plants (May-Aug). FRUITS are red berries. LEAVES are heart-shaped, glossy and netted. STATUS-Widespread in England and Wales.
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  • Shoveler - Spatula clypeata. L 44-52cm. Unmistakable because of bill shape. Usually unobtrusive. In flight, male shows blue forewing panel and white-bordered green speculum; in female, blue is replaced by grey. Sexes are dissimilar overall. Adult male has shiny green head, white breast and chestnut on flanks and belly. Stern is black and white and back is mainly dark. Has yellow eye and dark bill. In eclipse, resembles adult female although body is more rufous and head greyer. Adult female has mottled buffish brown plumage and yellowish bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female. Voice Male utters a sharp tuk-tuk while female makes a soft quack. Status Scarce breeding species on freshwater wetland. Commoner and more widespread in winter but seldom numerous.
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