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  • DWARF ELDER Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 2m. Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or small tree with grooved stems. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. LEAVES are divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets. STATUS-Widespread but patchily distributed and mainly in the S.
    131910.jpg
  • Stinking Goosefoot Chenopodium vulvaria. Foul-smelling plant (similar to rotting fish). Overall greyish appearance. Flowers are borne on vitually leafless spikes (July-Aug). Rare and declining plant found around Poole Harbour and near The Fleet in Dorset.
    141400.jpg
  • DWARF ELDER Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 2m. Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or small tree with grooved stems. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. LEAVES are divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets. STATUS-Widespread but patchily distributed and mainly in the S.
    132002.jpg
  • Dwarf Elder Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) HEIGHT to 2m<br />
Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or very occasionally a small tree. BARK reddish brown. BRANCHES Arching and grooved, turning red in September. LEAVES Compound, divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets, narrower than those of Elder. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across and appear from June to August. Fruits are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Doubtfully native to Britain and Ireland; patchily distributed and generally scarce, being found mainly in the south of the region. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges.
    135077.jpg
  • Dwarf Elder Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) HEIGHT to 2m<br />
Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or very occasionally a small tree. BARK reddish brown. BRANCHES Arching and grooved, turning red in September. LEAVES Compound, divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets, narrower than those of Elder. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across and appear from June to August. Fruits are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Doubtfully native to Britain and Ireland; patchily distributed and generally scarce, being found mainly in the south of the region. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges.
    135078.jpg
  • Stinking Goosefoot Chenopodium vulvaria. Foul-smelling plant (similar to rotting fish). Overall greyish appearance. Flowers are borne on vitually leafless spikes (July-Aug). Rare and declining plant found around Poole Harbour and near The Fleet in Dorset.
    141398.jpg
  • Stinking Goosefoot Chenopodium vulvaria. Foul-smelling plant (similar to rotting fish). Overall greyish appearance. Flowers are borne on vitually leafless spikes (July-Aug). Rare and declining plant found around Poole Harbour and near The Fleet in Dorset.
    141399.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    144188.jpg
  • Fox Vulpes vulpes Length 95-130cm Adaptable dog-like carnivore but with a catholic diet including fruits and berries. Mainly nocturnal; daytime shelter is called an earth. Adult has thick, mainly orange-brown coat with whitish jaws and underparts are white and white tip to tail. Feet and backs of ears are blackish. Yelping scream is uttered mainly by females for brief period in winter, to mark breeding season. Common, widespread and adaptable, found in towns and cities as well as countryside.
    144291.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    144173.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    144174.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    144187.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    139855.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    139856.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    144183.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    144200.jpg
  • Fox Vulpes vulpes Length 95-130cm Adaptable dog-like carnivore but with a catholic diet including fruits and berries. Mainly nocturnal; daytime shelter is called an earth. Adult has thick, mainly orange-brown coat with whitish jaws and underparts are white and white tip to tail. Feet and backs of ears are blackish. Yelping scream is uttered mainly by females for brief period in winter, to mark breeding season. Common, widespread and adaptable, found in towns and cities as well as countryside.
    144288.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    107263.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    136217.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    139857.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    141009.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    143274.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    144189.jpg
  • Adder - Vipera berus
    159268.jpg
  • NARROW-LEAVED PEPPERWORT Lepidium ruderale (Brassicaceae) Height to 30cm. Bushy, hairless annual with an unpleasant smell when crushed. Found on disturbed ground, often near the sea. FLOWERS are 1mm across and greenish, the petals usually absent (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are small, elliptical, flattened and notched. LEAVES comprise pinnately lobed basal leaves and untoothed ones on stem. STATUS-Mainly in S.
    139934.jpg
  • FIELD PENNY-CRESS Thlaspi arvense (Brassicaceae) Height to 50cm. Annual that emits an unpleasant smell when crushed. Found in arable fields and on waste ground. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across with 4 white petals (May-Sep). FRUITS are rounded pods with a terminal notch. LEAVES comprise narrow, arrow-shaped leaves the clasp the upright stem; no basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    132033.jpg
  • HOUND’S-TONGUE Cynoglossum officinale (Boraginaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright, downy biennial that smells strongly of mice. Grows in dry, grassy places, often on chalky soil and near the coast. FLOWERS are 5-7mm across, maroon and 5-lobed; borne in branched clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS comprise groups of 4 flattened, oval nutlets that are covered in hooked bristles. LEAVES are narrow and hairy; lower ones are stalked. STATUS-Widespread but commonest in S and E England.
    132001.jpg
  • ANNUAL WALL-ROCKET Diplotaxis muralis (Brassicaceae) Height to 60cm. Branched annual with an extremely unpleasant smell when crushed. Found on waste ground and in arable fields, mainly on sandy soils. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across with 4 yellow petals (May-Sep). FRUITS are cylindrical with 2 rows of seeds. LEAVES are pinnately lobed and mainly basal. STATUS-Widespread but local, mainly in the S.
    131902.jpg
  • NARROW-LEAVED PEPPERWORT Lepidium ruderale (Brassicaceae) Height to 30cm. Bushy, hairless annual with an unpleasant smell when crushed. Found on disturbed ground, often near the sea. FLOWERS are 1mm across and greenish, the petals usually absent (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are small, elliptical, flattened and notched. LEAVES comprise pinnately lobed basal leaves and untoothed ones on stem. STATUS-Mainly in S.
    139933.jpg
  • HOUND’S-TONGUE Cynoglossum officinale (Boraginaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright, downy biennial that smells strongly of mice. Grows in dry, grassy places, often on chalky soil and near the coast. FLOWERS are 5-7mm across, maroon and 5-lobed; borne in branched clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS comprise groups of 4 flattened, oval nutlets that are covered in hooked bristles. LEAVES are narrow and hairy; lower ones are stalked. STATUS-Widespread but commonest in S and E England.
    132000.jpg
  • PEPPERMINT Mentha x piperata (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Robust perennial, a hybrid between Spear and Water Mints. Has a strong peppermint smell. Grows in damp ground. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish lilac; borne in a terminal spikes with a few whorls below (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are narrow-ovate and stalked. STATUS-A popular culinary herb that is naturalised locally.
    131954.jpg
  • ROUND-LEAVED MINT Mentha suaveolens (Lamiaceae) Height to 70cm. Extremely aromatic perennial that smells distinctly of apples. Has both creeping and upright stems and the whole plant, especially the undersides of the leaves, have a thick coat of woolly hairs. Grows in damp, grassy places. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and lilac; borne in dense spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval to rounded, hairy and wrinkled. STATUS-Native in W but also escapes from cultivation.
    130678.jpg
  • Bug Orchid Orchis coriophora (Height to 25cm) Distinctive orchid. Leaves are narrow, fresh green and mainly basal. Flowers have a hood and are mostly pinkish-brown; lip is usually dark-spotted and sometimes tinged green. Flowers are borne in a dense spikes, March-May, and smell musky. Grassy places and maquis. Widespread across Mediterranean.
    116451.jpg
  • HOUND’S-TONGUE Cynoglossum officinale (Boraginaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright, downy biennial that smells strongly of mice. Grows in dry, grassy places, often on chalky soil and near the coast. FLOWERS are 5-7mm across, maroon and 5-lobed; borne in branched clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS comprise groups of 4 flattened, oval nutlets that are covered in hooked bristles. LEAVES are narrow and hairy; lower ones are stalked. STATUS-Widespread but commonest in S and E England.
    132029.jpg
  • American Skunk Cabbage Lysichiton americanus Height to 15cm Perennial member of Arum family. Smells strongly of ‘skunk’ when in flower. Leaves are up to 80cm long, broad and inrolled at first. Flower comprise a bright yellow spathe and spike-like green spadix. Status Introduced to Britain from North America (mainly as a naturalised garden escape). Now widespread but local in damp woodland.
    133529.jpg
  • American Skunk Cabbage Lysichiton americanus Height to 15cm Perennial member of Arum family. Smells strongly of ‘skunk’ when in flower. Leaves are up to 80cm long, broad and inrolled at first. Flower comprise a bright yellow spathe and spike-like green spadix. Status Introduced to Britain from North America (mainly as a naturalised garden escape). Now widespread but local in damp woodland.
    133528.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.
    156544.jpg
  • White Spruce Picea glauca (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 24m <br />
Narrowly conical evergreen, but broadening with maturity. BARK Purple-grey with roughly circular scales. BRANCHES Turn upwards at tips, bearing hairless, greyish twigs and blunt buds. LEAVES Pointed needles, 4-angled,to 1.3 cm long, pale green (sometimes bluish), and smelling unpleasantly to some when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are about 6cm long and 2cm across, cylindrical, pendent and orange-brown when ripe, with rounded margins to scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native northern North America, widely planted here for timber and ornament in Britain.
    134885.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
  • GROUND-IVY Glechoma hederacea (Lamiaceae) Height to 15cm. Softly hairy and strongly smelling perennial with creeping stems that root at regular intervals and upright flowering stems. Grows in woodlands, hedgerows and grassland, and on bare ground, tolerant of both shady and exposed locations. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long and bluish violet; borne in open whorls arising from leaf axils. FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are kidney-shaped to rounded, toothed and long-stalked. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the most of the region, except the far N.
    129918.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
  • White Spruce Picea glauca (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 24m <br />
Narrowly conical evergreen, but broadening with maturity. BARK Purple-grey with roughly circular scales. BRANCHES Turn upwards at tips, bearing hairless, greyish twigs and blunt buds. LEAVES Pointed needles, 4-angled,to 1.3 cm long, pale green (sometimes bluish), and smelling unpleasantly to some when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are about 6cm long and 2cm across, cylindrical, pendent and orange-brown when ripe, with rounded margins to scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native northern North America, widely planted here for timber and ornament in Britain.
    124956.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
  • 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
  • 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.
    130470.jpg
  • Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) HEIGHT to 15cm. Softly hairy, strongly smelling perennial with creeping stems that root at regular intervals and upright flowering stems. Grows in woodlands, hedgerows and grassland, and on bare ground; tolerant of both shady and exposed locations. FLOWERS 15-20mm long, bluish violet; in open whorls arising from leaf axils. FRUITS Nutlets. LEAVES Kidney shaped to rounded, toothed, long-stalked.
    106275.jpg
  • Small-flowered Sweet-briar Rosa micrantha Height to 2.5m<br />
Compact shrub with upright stems that bear long, curved thorns that are broad at the base. Found in scrub, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across and pink; in clusters of up to 3 flowers (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are ovoid, red hips with persisting reflexed sepals. LEAVES have 5-7 oval, toothed and sweet-smelling leaflets. STATUS-Local in south and west Britain.
    137874.jpg
  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
    133837.jpg
  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
    104341.jpg
  • SWEET-BRIAR Rosa rubiginosa (Rosaceae) Height to 3m<br />
Compact shrub with upright stems that bear short, curved thorns, bristles and glands. Found in hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and pink; in clusters of up to 3 flowers (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are ovoid, red hips with persisting sepals. LEAVES have 5-7 oval, toothed and sweet-smelling leaflets. STATUS-Locally common in S.
    132335.jpg
  • BIRTHWORT Aristolochia clematis (Aristolochiaceae) Height to 80cm. Upright, unbranched perennial of scrubby places. FLOWERS are yellow, tubular, 20-30mm long, foetid-smelling, the swollen base trapping pollinating insects; borne in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are green and pear-shaped. LEAVES are heart-shaped and strongly veined. STATUS-Rare and declining; a relict of cultivation for midwifery.
    132175.jpg
  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • Small-flowered Sweet-briar Rosa micrantha Height to 2.5m<br />
Compact shrub with upright stems that bear long, curved thorns that are broad at the base. Found in scrub, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across and pink; in clusters of up to 3 flowers (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are ovoid, red hips with persisting reflexed sepals. LEAVES have 5-7 oval, toothed and sweet-smelling leaflets. STATUS-Local in south and west Britain.
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  • ELDER Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 10m<br />
Deciduous shrub or small tree with spreading, outcurved main branches and corky bark. Grows in woodland, scrub and hedgerows, thriving best on chalky and nitrogen-enriched soils. FLOWERS are 5mm across and creamy white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 10-20cm across (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are blackish purple berries, borne in clusters. LEAVES are unpleasant-smelling and divided into 5-7 leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • MARSH WOUNDWORT Stachys palustris (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m. Robust, non-smelling perennial with creeping stems and unbranched flowering stalks. Grows in damp ground in marshes, and beside ditches and rivers; occasionally found along the margins of damp arable field. FLOWERS are 12-15mm long and pinkish purple with white markings; borne in elegant, open spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are toothed, narrow-oblong, often heart-shaped at the base and mostly unstalked. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout the region.
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  • ELDER Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 10m<br />
Deciduous shrub or small tree with spreading, outcurved main branches and corky bark. Grows in woodland, scrub and hedgerows, thriving best on chalky and nitrogen-enriched soils. FLOWERS are 5mm across and creamy white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 10-20cm across (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are blackish purple berries, borne in clusters. LEAVES are unpleasant-smelling and divided into 5-7 leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • ELDER Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 10m<br />
Deciduous shrub or small tree with spreading, outcurved main branches and corky bark. Grows in woodland, scrub and hedgerows, thriving best on chalky and nitrogen-enriched soils. FLOWERS are 5mm across and creamy white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 10-20cm across (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are blackish purple berries, borne in clusters. LEAVES are unpleasant-smelling and divided into 5-7 leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • STINKING HELLEBORE Helleborus foetidus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 75cm. Robust, strong-smelling perennial of woodland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are green, bell-shaped and 15-30mm across with purple margins; in clusters (Jan-May). FRUITS are dry, many-seeded and splitting. LEAVES are divided into toothed lobes; lower ones persist through winter. STATUS-Local and restricted to C and S England and Wales.
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  • BASTARD BALM Melittis melissophyllum (Lamiaceae) ** Height to 60cm<br />
Attractive, hairy and strong-smelling perennial that grows along woodland rides and in shady hedgerows and areas of scrub. FLOWERS are 25-40mm long, fragrant, mainly white and variably adorned with pink or purple, the length of the corolla tube greater exceeding that of the calyx; borne in whorls (May-Jul). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and stalked.
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  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • BASTARD BALM Melittis melissophyllum (Lamiaceae) Height to 60cm. Attractive, hairy and strong-smelling perennial that grows along woodland rides and in shady hedgerows and areas of scrub. FLOWERS are 25-40mm long, fragrant, mainly white and variably adorned with pink or purple, the length of the corolla tube greater exceeding that of the calyx; borne in whorls (May-Jul). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and stalked. STATUS-Local and rather scarce in S England (mainly the SW) and S Wales; scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • BASTARD BALM Melittis melissophyllum (Lamiaceae) Height to 60cm. Attractive, hairy and strong-smelling perennial that grows along woodland rides and in shady hedgerows and areas of scrub. FLOWERS are 25-40mm long, fragrant, mainly white and variably adorned with pink or purple, the length of the corolla tube greater exceeding that of the calyx; borne in whorls (May-Jul). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and stalked. STATUS-Local and rather scarce in S England (mainly the SW) and S Wales; scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • DWARF ELDER Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 2m. Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or small tree with grooved stems. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. LEAVES are divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets. STATUS-Widespread but patchily distributed and mainly in the S.
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  • DWARF ELDER Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 2m. Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or small tree with grooved stems. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. LEAVES are divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets. STATUS-Widespread but patchily distributed and mainly in the S.
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  • FENNEL Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Grey-green, strong-smelling and hairless perennial with solid young stems and hollow older ones. Favours grassy places, mainly near the sea. FLOWERS are yellow and borne in open umbels, 4-8cm across (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are narrow egg-shaped and ridged. LEAVES are feathery, comprising thread-like leaflets. STATUS-Locally common in S.
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  • FENNEL Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Grey-green, strong-smelling and hairless perennial with solid young stems and hollow older ones. Favours grassy places, mainly near the sea. FLOWERS are yellow and borne in open umbels, 4-8cm across (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are narrow egg-shaped and ridged. LEAVES are feathery, comprising thread-like leaflets. STATUS-Locally common in S.
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  • SWEET ALISON Lobularia maritima (Brassicaceae) Height to 20cm. Hairy perennial found in hedgerows and wayside places, usually near habitation. FLOWERS are 5-6mm across and sweet-smelling, with 4 white petals (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are small oval pods, borne on long stalks. LEAVES are narrow, entire and grey-green.
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  • DOG’S MERCURY Mercurialis perennis (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 35cm. Hairy, creeping perennial with a foetid smell. Found in woodlands (sometimes forms carpets); also in limestone pavements. FLOWERS are yellowish are rather tiny; in open spikes on separate sex plants (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are hairy. LEAVES are oval, shiny and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and generally common but scarce in N Scotland and Ireland.
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  • WILD MARJORAM Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Downy and tufted perennial. The plant (mainly the leaves) has a pleasantly aromatic smell, familiar to lovers of culinary herbs and the stems are often reddish. Grows in dry grassland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are maroon when in bud but 6-8mm long and pinkish purple when flowering; borne in dense, terminal clusters that also include purplish bracts (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval, pointed and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common the S but scarce elsewhere.
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  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
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  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
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  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
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  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
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  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Western Himalayan (Bhutan) Cypress Cupressus torulosa (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 27m. Ovoid crown recalls C. glabra but tree has more open habit. Slender green shoots smell of new-mown grass when crushed. BARK Spirally ridged in older trees. BRANCHES Raised, with descending sprays of looser foliage. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like and unmarked, with minute, incurved points. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are less than 15mm across, each scale with a rounded knob. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W Himalayas, grown in a few old, British gardens. COMMENTS Slow-growing.
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  • Drooping Juniper Juniperus recurva (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 14m. Small evergreen with ascending branches but drooping foliage. Outline broadly conical. BARK Greyish-brown, peeling in long untidy shreds. LEAVES Tough and needle-like, clasping shoots; paint-like smell when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are yellow, growing in small clusters at tips of shoots. Female cones are produced at ends of shoots and become oval, black and berry-like when mature, growing to 8mm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China and the Himalayas; planted in our region for ornament.
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  • Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An outstandingly large evergreen. Forms a striking, narrowly conical tree with a huge tapering bole, ridged and fluted at the base. BARK Thick, spongy and rich-red. BRANCHES lower branches are pendulous, but the upper branches are more level. LEAVES Scale-like, green and up to 1cm long; they clasp the shoots, and smell of aniseed when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The small yellow male cones can be abundant and grow at the tips of the shoots, releasing their pollen in spring. Female cones are solitary, sometimes paired, and ovoid, up to 8cm long and 5cm in diameter when ripe, with a deep brown colour and a corky texture. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Sierra Nevada in California. First discovered in 1852, it was soon introduced into Britain, where it thrives best in the west.
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  • Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An outstandingly large evergreen. Forms a striking, narrowly conical tree with a huge tapering bole, ridged and fluted at the base. BARK Thick, spongy and rich-red. BRANCHES lower branches are pendulous, but the upper branches are more level. LEAVES Scale-like, green and up to 1cm long; they clasp the shoots, and smell of aniseed when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The small yellow male cones can be abundant and grow at the tips of the shoots, releasing their pollen in spring. Female cones are solitary, sometimes paired, and ovoid, up to 8cm long and 5cm in diameter when ripe, with a deep brown colour and a corky texture. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Sierra Nevada in California. First discovered in 1852, it was soon introduced into Britain, where it thrives best in the west.
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  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
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  • California Nutmeg Torreya californica (Taxaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree with a stout bole in mature specimens, producing high-quality timber. BARK Reddish grey with narrow ridges. BRANCHES long and almost horizontal in mature trees, supporting descending lines of greenish shoots. LEAVES Needle-like with two pale greyish bands on the underside; grow in a row on each side of shoot, and smell of sage if crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Trees are usually either male or female. Male flowers resemble small yellowish catkins, borne on undersides of shoots. Fruits are ovoid, 5cm long, and green with pur¬plish streaks; resemble nutmegs and contain a single (inedible) seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain woodlands in California. Often planted in mature gardens in Britain.
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  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
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  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • 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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  • Incense Cedar Calocedrus decurrens (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Elegant columnar evergreen with anarrowly rounded crown. BARK Dark and cracked into large reddish-brown flakes. BRANCHES Numerous short upright branches run up the trunk from near ground level. LEAVES Scale-like, in whorls of 4 each bearing a short, incurved, pointed tip, adpressed and concealing shoots; smell of turpentine when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones up to 6mm across, ovoid, deep yellow, and borne at tips of lateral shoots. Female cones are 2–3 cm across when mature, oblong to ovoid and pointed, with 6 scales; 2 large fertile scales have outwardly pointed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of California and Oregon. Very popular ornamental tree in our region.
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  • Incense Cedar Calocedrus decurrens (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Elegant columnar evergreen with anarrowly rounded crown. BARK Dark and cracked into large reddish-brown flakes. BRANCHES Numerous short upright branches run up the trunk from near ground level. LEAVES Scale-like, in whorls of 4 each bearing a short, incurved, pointed tip, adpressed and concealing shoots; smell of turpentine when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones up to 6mm across, ovoid, deep yellow, and borne at tips of lateral shoots. Female cones are 2–3 cm across when mature, oblong to ovoid and pointed, with 6 scales; 2 large fertile scales have outwardly pointed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of California and Oregon. Very popular ornamental tree in our region.
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  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • BIRTHWORT Aristolochia clematitis (Aristolochiaceae) Height to 80cm. Upright, unbranched perennial of scrubby places. FLOWERS are yellow, tubular, 20-30mm long, foetid-smelling, the swollen base trapping pollinating insects; borne in clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are green and pear-shaped. LEAVES are heart-shaped and strongly veined. STATUS-Rare and declining; a relict of cultivation for midwifery.
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  • WILD MARJORAM Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Downy and tufted perennial. The plant (mainly the leaves) has a pleasantly aromatic smell, familiar to lovers of culinary herbs and the stems are often reddish. Grows in dry grassland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are maroon when in bud but 6-8mm long and pinkish purple when flowering; borne in dense, terminal clusters that also include purplish bracts (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval, pointed and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common the S but scarce elsewhere.
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  • PERENNIAL WALL-ROCKET Diplotaxis tenuifolia. Height to 80cm. Branched perennial with an unpleasant smell when crushed; waste ground, usually near the sea. Flowers 15-30mm across with 4 yellow petals (May-Sept). Fruits cylindrical with 2 rows of seeds. Leaves pinnately lobed. Status mainly coastal.
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  • STONE PARSLEY Sison amomum (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, bushy perennial with an unpleasant smell (nutmeg and petrol) when bruised. Found in grassy places on clay soils. FLOWERS are white and borne in open umbels, 1-4cm across, with unequal rays (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are fresh green; lower ones have oval leaflets, upper ones have narrow leaflets. STATUS-Local, in S.
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  • STONE PARSLEY Sison amomum (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, bushy perennial with an unpleasant smell (nutmeg and petrol) when bruised. Found in grassy places on clay soils. FLOWERS are white and borne in open umbels, 1-4cm across, with unequal rays (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are fresh green; lower ones have oval leaflets, upper ones have narrow leaflets. STATUS-Local, in S.
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  • MOTHERWORT Leonurus cardiaca (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, unbranched and variably downy perennial with a pungent smell and historical association with midwifery. Grows on verges and in shady hedgerows and waste ground, usually close to habitation. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and pink of white, the upper lip being hairy; borne in whorls with striking calyx teeth (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are long-stalked; upper ones are deeply palmately lobed while upper ones are toothed. STATUS-Naturalised in a few, scattered locations across the region.
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