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  • FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    153668.jpg
  • FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    153667.jpg
  • BUTTERBUR Petasites hybridus (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Impressive, patch-forming perennial with creeping rhizomes. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ditches. FLOWERS are borne in pinkish red heads with separate sex plants (male flower heads are 7-12mm across, females flower heads are 3-6mm across); carried on impressive and robust spikes, up to 40cm tall, (Mar-May), going over as the leaves appear. FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are heart-shaped, up to 1m across, and most evident in summer. STATUS-Locally common throughout the region.
    153659.jpg
  • Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus Rosaceae Height to 8m<br />
Evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Dark grey-brown, pitted with lenticels. Branches Dense, with pale-green twigs. Leaves Leathery, to 20cm long and oblong. Reproductive parts Flowers white, fragrant, in erect spikes to 13cm long. Fruits rounded, green, turning red, ripening blackish-purple. Status Introduced, widely planted and sometimes naturalised.
    133712.jpg
  • Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus Rosaceae Height to 8m<br />
Evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Dark grey-brown, pitted with lenticels. Branches Dense, with pale-green twigs. Leaves Leathery, to 20cm long and oblong. Reproductive parts Flowers white, fragrant, in erect spikes to 13cm long. Fruits rounded, green, turning red, ripening blackish-purple. Status Introduced, widely planted and sometimes naturalised.
    133623.jpg
  • SAINFOIN Onobrychis viciifolia (Fabaceae) Height to 75cm<br />
Distinctive, straggly and slightly downy perennial. Found in dry, calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pink and red-veined; in conical spikes up to 80cm long (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are oval, warty pods. LEAVES comprise 6-14 pairs of oval leaflets. STATUS-Possibly native in SE England but a relict of cultivation elsewhere.
    132014.jpg
  • AGRIMONY Agrimonia eupatoria (Rosaceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Upright perennial of grassy places, hedgerows and roadside verges. FLOWERS are 5-8mm across with 5 yellow petals; borne in upright spikes (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are bur-like and covered in spines. LEAVES comprise 3-6 pairs of oval, toothed leaflets with smaller leaflets between. STATUS-Widespread and generally common throughout.
    131835.jpg
  • COMMON BISTORT Persicaria bistorta (Polygonaceae) Height to 60cm. Attractive perennial of damp meadows that forms patches in suitable locations. FLOWERS are pink and borne in dense, 30-40mm long, terminal spikes (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are oval or arrow-shaped, the lower ones stalked, the upper ones almost stalkless. STATUS-Locally common in the N but rare in the S.
    153642.jpg
  • Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus Rosaceae Height to 8m<br />
Evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Dark grey-brown, pitted with lenticels. Branches Dense, with pale-green twigs. Leaves Leathery, to 20cm long and oblong. Reproductive parts Flowers white, fragrant, in erect spikes to 13cm long. Fruits rounded, green, turning red, ripening blackish-purple. Status Introduced, widely planted and sometimes naturalised.
    105834.jpg
  • Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus Rosaceae Height to 8m<br />
Evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Dark grey-brown, pitted with lenticels. Branches Dense, with pale-green twigs. Leaves Leathery, to 20cm long and oblong. Reproductive parts Flowers white, fragrant, in erect spikes to 13cm long. Fruits rounded, green, turning red, ripening blackish-purple. Status Introduced, widely planted and sometimes naturalised.
    105833.jpg
  • SEA BARLEY Hordeum marinum. Height to 5cm<br />
Tufted, blue-green annual of bare ground and dry, grassy places near the sea. FLOWERS are borne in long, unbranched spikes, 7-8cm long, the spikelets in 3s, with stiff, spreading awns (Jul-Aug); flowering stems are prostrate at base. FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are 4-5mm wide. STATUS-Local and exclusively coastal.
    141508.jpg
  • Tree Lupin Lupinus arboreus Height to 3m. Robust and invasive evergreen shrub. Grows on sandy soils, often coastal. Flowers are typically yellow and borne in tall spikes, May-August. Leaves are palmate with slender leaflets. Status-Introduced from North America, occasionally naturalised and often subject to eradication programs.
    137730.jpg
  • Argentine Dock Rumex frutescens (Polygonaceae) H to 1.5m<br />
Upright perennial of roadside verges and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are borne in loose spikes (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have prominent teeth and 1 tubercle. LEAVES are broadly oval and up to 25cm long. STATUS-Introduced and spreading.
    134501.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
  • BUTTERBUR Petasites hybridus (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Impressive, patch-forming perennial with creeping rhizomes. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ditches. FLOWERS are borne in pinkish red heads with separate sex plants (male flower heads are 7-12mm across, females flower heads are 3-6mm across); carried on impressive and robust spikes, up to 40cm tall, (Mar-May), going over as the leaves appear. FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are heart-shaped, up to 1m across, and most evident in summer. STATUS-Locally common throughout the region.
    133494.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
  • BUTTERBUR Petasites hybridus (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Impressive, patch-forming perennial with creeping rhizomes. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ditches. FLOWERS are borne in pinkish red heads with separate sex plants (male flower heads are 7-12mm across, females flower heads are 3-6mm across); carried on impressive and robust spikes, up to 40cm tall, (Mar-May), going over as the leaves appear. FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are heart-shaped, up to 1m across, and most evident in summer. STATUS-Locally common throughout the region.
    144575.jpg
  • Agrimony - Agrimonia eupatoria. Height to 50cm<br />
Upright perennial of grassy places, hedgerows and roadside verges. FLOWERS are 5-8mm across with 5 yellow petals; borne in upright spikes (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are bur-like and covered in spines. LEAVES comprise 3-6 pairs of oval, toothed leaflets with smaller leaflets between. STATUS-Widespread and generally common throughout.
    157353.jpg
  • HEATH SPOTTED-ORCHID Dactylorhiza maculata (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Superficially similar to Common Spotted-orchid but restricted to damp, mostly acid soils on heaths and moors. FLOWERS are usually very pale, sometimes almost white, but with darker streaks and spots; the lower lip is broad and 3-lobed but the central lobe is smaller than the outer 2. Flowers borne in open spikes (May-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are lanceolate and dark-spotted, those at the base being largest and broadest, narrower leaves sheathing the stem. STATUS-Locally common throughout.
    140187.jpg
  • MAN ORCHID Aceras anthropophorum (Orchidaceae) Height to 30cm. Intriguing and distinctive orchid of calcareous grassland and scrub. FLOWERS are fancifully man-like, with a pronounced green hood (comprising sepals and upper petals) an elongated, 4-lobed lip (12-15mm long) and a spur; borne in tall, dense spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS form and swell at base of flowers. LEAVES are oval, fresh green and form a basal rosette, and sheath the lower part of the flowering stem. STATUS-Local, and restricted to SE England, where it occurs as isolated colonies.
    140023.jpg
  • Argentine Dock Rumex frutescens (Polygonaceae) H to 1.5m<br />
Upright perennial of roadside verges and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are borne in loose spikes (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have prominent teeth and 1 tubercle. LEAVES are broadly oval and up to 25cm long. STATUS-Introduced and spreading.
    134502.jpg
  • WHITE MELILOT Melilotus albus (Fabaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Distinctive, upright and hairless biennial. Found in grassy places and disturbed soils on waste ground. FLOWERS are white and borne in spikes up to 7cm long (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are brown, veined pods. LEAVES comprise 3 oblong leaflets. STATUS-Introduced but locally established in parts of S and E England.
    131820.jpg
  • Springbeauty Montia perfoliata H to 30cm. Annual, introduced from N America but now widely naturalised on dry, sandy soil. FLOWERS are white, 5-petalled and 5mm across; borne in loose spikes (Apr-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval and stalked at base; flowering stems bear fused pairs of perfoliate leaves. STATUS Widespread and locally abundant.
    130713.jpg
  • Lavander  Lavandula angustifolia (Height to 1.5m) Upright, aromatic perennial. Leaves are narrow and 2-5cm long. Flowers are pinkish-purple, borne in spikes on slender stems, May-June. Native to western Mediterranean, widely planted and cultivated elsewhere.
    120641.jpg
  • Tassel Hyacinth - Muscari comosum
    162695.jpg
  • Dark Grape Hyacinth - Muscari neglecta
    162689.jpg
  • Photograph showing farmer driving tractor with tedder attached turning cut hay during the summer.  This process assists with the drying of the grass to make hay prior to baling.
    154696.jpg
  • Photograph showing farmer driving tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154697.jpg
  • Photograph showing farmer driving tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154699.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154707.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154708.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154711.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154712.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summer
    154759.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summer
    154762.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summer
    154763.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summer
    154764.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    135142.jpg
  • Photograph showing farmer driving tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154698.jpg
  • Photograph showing farmer driving tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154700.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154702.jpg
  • Farmer with tractor and rake rowing hay in summer meadow
    154701.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154704.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154703.jpg
  • Photograph showing farmer driving tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154706.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154710.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154709.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summer
    154756.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summer
    154757.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summer
    154758.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summer
    154760.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summe
    154761.jpg
  • Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Fagaceae Height to 35m <br />
Deciduous tree with fine bole. Bark Silvery and smooth at first, spirally fissured and grooved with age. Branches Lowest branches spreading, upper ones ascending. Leaves Glossy, to 25cm long, lanceolate and toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins creamy and pendulous. Female flowers green and erect, at base of male catkins; spiny green fruits contain 3 brown nuts. Status Native of mainland Europe, planted here since Roman times.
    134570.jpg
  • Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Fagaceae Height to 35m <br />
Deciduous tree with fine bole. Bark Silvery and smooth at first, spirally fissured and grooved with age. Branches Lowest branches spreading, upper ones ascending. Leaves Glossy, to 25cm long, lanceolate and toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins creamy and pendulous. Female flowers green and erect, at base of male catkins; spiny green fruits contain 3 brown nuts. Status Native of mainland Europe, planted here since Roman times.
    129778.jpg
  • Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Fagaceae Height to 35m <br />
Deciduous tree with fine bole. Bark Silvery and smooth at first, spirally fissured and grooved with age. Branches Lowest branches spreading, upper ones ascending. Leaves Glossy, to 25cm long, lanceolate and toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins creamy and pendulous. Female flowers green and erect, at base of male catkins; spiny green fruits contain 3 brown nuts. Status Native of mainland Europe, planted here since Roman times.
    129773.jpg
  • Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Fagaceae Height to 35m <br />
Deciduous tree with fine bole. Bark Silvery and smooth at first, spirally fissured and grooved with age. Branches Lowest branches spreading, upper ones ascending. Leaves Glossy, to 25cm long, lanceolate and toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins creamy and pendulous. Female flowers green and erect, at base of male catkins; spiny green fruits contain 3 brown nuts. Status Native of mainland Europe, planted here since Roman times.
    129777.jpg
  • Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Fagaceae Height to 35m <br />
Deciduous tree with fine bole. Bark Silvery and smooth at first, spirally fissured and grooved with age. Branches Lowest branches spreading, upper ones ascending. Leaves Glossy, to 25cm long, lanceolate and toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins creamy and pendulous. Female flowers green and erect, at base of male catkins; spiny green fruits contain 3 brown nuts. Status Native of mainland Europe, planted here since Roman times.
    103418.jpg
  • GORSE Ulex europaeus (Fabaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Evergreen shrub with straight, grooved spines, 15-25mm long. Found on heaths and grassy places, mainly on acid soils. FLOWERS are 2cm long, bright yellow and coconut-scented with 4-5mm-long basal bracts (Jan-Dec, but mainly Feb-May). FRUITS are hairy pods. LEAVES are trifoliate when young. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    136861.jpg
  • PETTY WHIN Genista anglica (Fabaceae) Height to 1m<br />
A rather spindly, hairless shrub that is armed with strong spines. Found on heaths and moors, usually growing among Ling. FLOWERS are 15mm long and deep yellow; borne in terminal clusters (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are hairless and inflated. LEAVES are narrow, hairless and waxy. STATUS-Widespread but local in England, Wales and S Scotland.
    130837.jpg
  • Man Orchid - Orchis anthropophorum
    162688.jpg
  • Tractor with rake attached to the rear rowing hay in a summer field ready for baling
    154705.jpg
  • Female farm worker in tractor turning hay in summer
    154765.jpg
  • Butterbur - Petasites hybridus
    159197.jpg
  • Agrimony - Agrimonia eupatoria
    159146.jpg
  • BULRUSH Typha latifolia (Typhaceae) Height to 2m. <br />
Sedge-like plant (aka Great Reedmace). Grows in freshwater margins. FLOWERS are borne in spikes and comprise a brown, sausage-like array of female flowers and a narrow, terminal spire of male flowers, the two contiguous (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have cottony down. LEAVES are grey-green, long and 1-2cm wide. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    143655.jpg
  • Early Hair-grass - Aira praecox
    130838.jpg
  • PRICKLY SALTWORT Salsola kali (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 50cm. Spiky-looking, prickly annual that is typical of sandy beaches, usually growing near the strandline. Occasionally found beside regularly salted roads inland. FLOWERS are tiny and yellowish, appearing at leaf bases (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are similar to flowers. LEAVES are swollen, flattened-cylindrical and spiny-tipped. STATUS-Locally common.
    131970.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159524.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159522.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159523.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159521.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159518.jpg
  • Elk or Wapiti - Cervus canadensis
    159519.jpg
  • PENDULOUS SEDGE Carex pendula (Cyperaceae) Height to 1.5m. Clump-forming sedge of damp woodlands on heavy soils. Stems are tall, arching and 3-sided. FLOWERS in inflorescences that comprise 1-2 male spikes above 4-5 long, drooping and unstalked female spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are flattened, greyish and short-beaked. LEAVES are long, yellowish and up to 2cm wide. STATUS-Locally common.
    136489.jpg
  • HAIRY SEDGE Carex hirta (Cyperaceae) Height to 70cm<br />
Distinctive sedge, recognised by its very hairy leaves. Grows in damp grassland. FLOWERS in inflorescences of 2-3 brown male spikes above 2-3 yellowish female spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are green, beaked and ridged. LEAVES are long, grey-green and covered in long, white hairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131036.jpg
  • COMMON SEDGE Carex nigra (Cyperaceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Variable, creeping sedge of damp grassland and marshes. Stems are 3-angled and rough at the top. FLOWERS in inflorescences of 1-2 thin male spikes above 1-4 female spikes with black glumes (May-Jun). FRUITS are short-beaked and green grading to blackish. LEAVES are long, narrow and appear in tufts. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    130888.jpg
  • GLAUCOUS SEDGE Carex flacca (Cyperaceae) Height to 50cm. Common grassland sedge, often on calcareous soils. Stems are 3-sided. FLOWERS comprise an inflorescence with 1-3 brown male spikes above 2-5 brown female spikes (Apr-May). FRUITS are greenish, flattened with only a tiny beak. LEAVES are pale green and stiff. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
    130927.jpg
  • WOOD-SEDGE Carex sylvatica (Cyperaceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Elegant and tufted sedge with smooth, 3-sided and arched stems. Grows in damp woods. FLOWERS are in nodding inflorescences comprising 1 terminal male spikes and 3-4 slender, long-stalked female spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are green, 3-sided and beaked. LEAVES are pale green, 3-6mm across and drooping. STATUS-Locally common.
    130839.jpg
  • Height to 1.5m. Clump-forming sedge of damp woodlands on heavy soils. Stems are tall, arching and 3-sided. Flowers in inflorescences comprising 1-2 male spikes above 4-5 long, drooping, unstalked female spikes (June-July). Fruits flattened, greyish, short-beaked. Leaves long, yellowish, up to 2cm wide.
    115483.jpg
  • Lesser Pond Sedge (Carex acutiformis) HEIGHT to 1.2m. Creeping, mat-forming perennial of marshes and the margins of ponds and streams. FLOWERS Comprising 2-3 brownish male spikes above 3-4 yellowish-green femalespikes; spikes usually unstalked (June-July). FRUITS Green, egg-shaped but flattened, narrowing to a beak. LEAVES Long, bluish grey, rough.
    106542.jpg
  • Foxglove mutant - Digitalis purpurea, showing mutation at tip of plant.Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    157101.jpg
  • MAY LILY Maianthemum bifolium (Liliaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Attractive perennial with a creeping rhizome and upright stalks bearing a single pair of leaves and the flower spike. Grows in mature woodlands, often on acid soils. FLOWERS are 2-5mm across, white and 4-parted; borne in spikes, 3-4cm long (May-Jun). FRUITS are red berries although these are produced only rarely. LEAVES are heart-shaped and shiny, the lower one long-stalked. STATUS-Local, N England only.
    137922.jpg
  • FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    130365.jpg
  • FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    128030.jpg
  • FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    127994.jpg
  • FRAGRANT ORCHID Gymnadenia conopsea (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. A robust and relatively tall orchid that is associated with both damp and dry grassland; it does best on calcareous soils or flushes, and often occurs in rather dense colonies. FLOWERS are extremely fragrant and typically pink, although a spike’s colour can vary from almost white to deep purple. Individual flowers have a 3-lobed lip and a long spur; they are borne in dense, cylindrical spikes (up to 15cm tall) (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are rather short and most are found at the base of the plant; a few, very narrow leaves are borne up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common; most frequent in the S and SE.
    123451.jpg
  • FRAGRANT ORCHID Gymnadenia conopsea (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm.A robust and relatively tall orchid that is associated with both damp and dry grassland; it does best on calcareous soils or flushes, and often occurs in rather dense colonies. FLOWERS are extremely fragrant and typically pink, although a spike’s colour can vary from almost white to deep purple. Individual flowers have a 3-lobed lip and a long spur; they are borne in dense, cylindrical spikes (up to 15cm tall) (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are rather short and most are found at the base of the plant; a few, very narrow leaves are borne up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common; most frequent in the S and SE.
    121137.jpg
  • MAY LILY Maianthemum bifolium (Liliaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Attractive perennial with a creeping rhizome and upright stalks bearing a single pair of leaves and the flower spike. Grows in mature woodlands, often on acid soils. FLOWERS are 2-5mm across, white and 4-parted; borne in spikes, 3-4cm long (May-Jun). FRUITS are red berries although these are produced only rarely. LEAVES are heart-shaped and shiny, the lower one long-stalked. STATUS-Local, N England only.
    137923.jpg
  • CARNATION SEDGE Carex panicea (Cyperaceae) Height to 30cm. Greyish, tufted perennial that grows in damp ground, avoiding acid soils. FLOWERS are in inflorescences that comprise a single, terminal male spike above 1-3 female spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are greenish, pear-shaped and not beaked. LEAVES are greyish green and rough. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    130889.jpg
  • PILL SEDGE Carex pilulifera (Cyperaceae) Height to 25cm<br />
Tufted sedge with 3-sided stems. Grows on heaths and dry grassland with acid soils. FLOWERS are in inflorescences that comprise 1 spike above 2-4 egg-shaped female spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are green, rounded, downy and ribbed. LEAVES are yellowish green, narrow, wiry and flaccid. STATUS-Widespread but local, except in N and W.
    130885.jpg
  • MAY LILY Maianthemum bifolium (Liliaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Attractive perennial with a creeping rhizome and upright stalks bearing a single pair of leaves and the flower spike. Grows in mature woodlands, often on acid soils. FLOWERS are 2-5mm across, white and 4-parted; borne in spikes, 3-4cm long (May-Jun). FRUITS are red berries although these are produced only rarely. LEAVES are heart-shaped and shiny, the lower one long-stalked. STATUS-Local, N England only.
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  • STIFF SEDGE Carex bigelowii (Cyperaceae) Height to 30cm<br />
Creeping perennial with stiff, sharply 3-sided stems. Grows on mountains and upland moors. FLOWERS are in inflorescences comprising 1 male spike above 2-3 female spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are short-beaked and green grading to brown. LEAVES are ridged and curved with inrolled margins. STATUS-Locally common only in Scotland.
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  • White Mulberry Morus alba (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
 Deciduous tree with a narrow rounded crown on a broad bole, to 2m across. BARK Heavily ridged and grey, sometimes tinged pinkish. BRANCHES Shoots are thin, with fine hairs at first; buds are minute, brown and pointed. LEAVES To 18cm long, oval to rounded with a heart-shaped base and a hairy, grooved petiole up to 2.5cm long. Feel thin and smooth, and have a toothed margin, with downy hairs on veins on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female flowers stalked, spike-like and yellowish. Male flowers on slightly longer spikes; whitish with prominent anthers. Fruit comprises a cluster of drupes; white or pink at first, ripening purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, grown here occasionally. COMMENT The leaves are the foodplant for silkworms.
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  • White Mulberry Morus alba (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Deciduous tree with a narrow rounded crown on a broad bole, to 2m across. BARK Heavily ridged and grey, sometimes tinged pinkish. BRANCHES Shoots are thin, with fine hairs at first; buds are minute, brown and pointed. LEAVES To 18cm long, oval to rounded with a heart-shaped base and a hairy, grooved petiole up to 2.5cm long. Feel thin and smooth, and have a toothed margin, with downy hairs on veins on underside.  REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female flowers stalked, spike-like and yellowish. Male flowers on slightly longer spikes; whitish with prominent anthers. Fruit comprises a cluster of drupes; white or pink at first, ripening purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, grown here occasionally. COMMENT The leaves are the foodplant for silkworms.
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  • SPIKED STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM Ornithogalum pyrenaicum (Liliaceae) Height to 80cm. Upright perennial of open woodland. Also known as Bath Asparagus. Grows in scrub and open woodland. FLOWERS are 2cm across and greenish white; borne in tall, drooping-tipped spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green, narrow and basal; they soon wither. STATUS-Very local, mainly from Bath east along M4 corridor.
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  • SPIKED SPEEDWELL Veronica spicata (Height to 60cm) is a familiar garden perennial that is also a rare native of Breckland grassland; in addition, it occurs, very locally, in Wales and W England. The bluish flowers are borne in spikes, 8-10cm long (Jul-Sep).
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  • SPIKED WATER-MILFOIL Myriophyllum spicatum (Haloragaceae) Aquatic. Bushy, submerged water plant with long, trailing stems. Grows in slow-flowing or still freshwater. FLOWERS are inconspicuous, greenish and are borne in leafy spikes with undivided bracts (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are rounded and warty. LEAVES are pinnate and feathery, the segments up to 3cm long; usually in whorls of 4 along the stems. STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout.
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  • White Mulberry Morus alba (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Deciduous tree with a narrow rounded crown on a broad bole, to 2m across. BARK Heavily ridged and grey, sometimes tinged pinkish. BRANCHES Shoots are thin, with fine hairs at first; buds are minute, brown and pointed. LEAVES To 18cm long, oval to rounded with a heart-shaped base and a hairy, grooved petiole up to 2.5cm long. Feel thin and smooth, and have a toothed margin, with downy hairs on veins on underside.  REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female flowers stalked, spike-like and yellowish. Male flowers on slightly longer spikes; whitish with prominent anthers. Fruit comprises a cluster of drupes; white or pink at first, ripening purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, grown here occasionally. COMMENT The leaves are the foodplant for silkworms.
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  • White Mulberry Morus alba (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Deciduous tree with a narrow rounded crown on a broad bole, to 2m across. BARK Heavily ridged and grey, sometimes tinged pinkish. BRANCHES Shoots are thin, with fine hairs at first; buds are minute, brown and pointed. LEAVES To 18cm long, oval to rounded with a heart-shaped base and a hairy, grooved petiole up to 2.5cm long. Feel thin and smooth, and have a toothed margin, with downy hairs on veins on underside.  REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female flowers stalked, spike-like and yellowish. Male flowers on slightly longer spikes; whitish with prominent anthers. Fruit comprises a cluster of drupes; white or pink at first, ripening purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, grown here occasionally. COMMENT The leaves are the foodplant for silkworms.
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  • Spiked Rampion Phyteuma spicatum Height to 70cm<br />
Upright member of the bellflower family. Grows in shady hedgerows and beside woodland paths. Leaves are oval and borne in a basal rosette. Flowers are white and rather plantain-like; in spikes (to 5 cm long) on long stalks, May-June. Status-Very rare, and restricted as a native plant to East Sussex. Occasionally, sometimes appears as a garden escape.
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