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  • STREAM WATER-CROWFOOT Ranunculus pencillatus (Ranunculaceae) Floating. Annual or perennial of fast-flowing chalk streams and rivers. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across with 5 white petals (May-Jul). FRUITS are borne in rounded heads. LEAVES comprise lobed, rounded floating leaves and long, thread-like submerged ones that collapse out of water.
    105947.jpg
  • Upland Stream, Snowdonia
    103318.jpg
  • Mountain Stream, Ben Lawers, Scotland, UK
    127551.jpg
  • Lowland Chalk Stream, southern England
    128038.jpg
  • Chalk Stream, River Itchen, Hampshire, UK
    128057.jpg
  • Chalk Stream, River Itchen, Hampshire, UK
    128059.jpg
  • Bullhead Cottus gobio Length 8-15cm <br />
This squat fish has a proportionately large and broad head and fins with spine-tipped rays; it is well camouflaged among stone and gravel stream beds, often hiding under larger stones, and is common only in England and Wales.
    136665.jpg
  • Bullhead Cottus gobio Length 8-15cm <br />
This squat fish has a proportionately large and broad head and fins with spine-tipped rays; it is well camouflaged among stone and gravel stream beds, often hiding under larger stones, and is common only in England and Wales.
    136122.jpg
  • Common Eel Anguilla anguilla Length 0.5-1m<br />
The Common Eel spawns in the Sargasso Sea, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, and young larvae drift across in the Gulf Stream for 3 years or so. On reaching our shores, so-called elvers swim up rivers and after several years become familiar yellow-bodied, snake-like Eels; on reaching maturity they turn silvery, migrate down the sea and are presumed to attempt their oceanic journey in reverse. During the time in Britain, Common Eels live among silt and debris at the bottom of ponds, rivers and canals.
    126012.jpg
  • MEADOWSWEET Filipendula ulmaria (Rosaceae) Height to 1.25m. Striking perennial of damp meadows, marshes and stream margins. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across, fragrant and creamy white; borne in sprays (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are spirally twisted and 1-seeded. LEAVES are dark green and comprise 3-5 pairs of oval leaflets with smaller leaflets between. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    132208.jpg
  • STARRY SAXIFRAGE Saxifraga stellaris (Saxifragaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial of damp ground and stream margins. FLOWERS are star-shaped with 5 white petals and red anthers; petals have yellow basal spots but no red spots above; on slender stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are oblong, toothed and form a basal rosette. STATUS-Locally common in upland N Wales, N Britain and Ireland.
    131768.jpg
  • HAIRY STONECROP Sedum villosum (Crassulaceae) Height to 15cm. Upright, unbranched biennial or perennial of damp, stony ground and stream margins. FLOWERS are 6-8mm across, pink and stalked; upright (not drooping) in bud (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are dry and splitting. LEAVES are fleshy, flat above and covered in sticky hairs; arranged spirally up stems. STATUS-Local from N England to central Scotland.
    131736.jpg
  • OPPOSITE-LEAVED GOLDEN SAXIFRAGE Chrysosplenium oppositifolium (Saxifragaceae) Height to 15cm. Patch-forming perennial of shady stream banks and damp woodland flushes. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across, yellow and lack petals; borne in flat-topped clusters with yellowish bracts below (Mar-Jul). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are rounded, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Locally common, mainly in the N and W.
    130767.jpg
  • Upland Stream, Snowdonia
    103315.jpg
  • Chalk Stream, Southern England
    128035.jpg
  • Chalk Stream, River Itchen, Hampshire, UK
    128060.jpg
  • Chalk Stream, River Itchen, Hampshire, UK
    128061.jpg
  • Moorland Stream, Dartmoor, Devon, UK
    129487.jpg
  • Lowland Stream
    129503.jpg
  • Mountain stream feeding Lake O'Hara, Yoho National Park, Canada
    159544.jpg
  • Mountain stream running into Lake O'Hara, Yoho National Park, Canada
    159543.jpg
  • Kingfisher- Alcedo atthis - female. L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    157704.jpg
  • Dipper - Cinclus cinclus - juvenile. L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    153886.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    153976.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    153978.jpg
  • Brook Lamprey Lampetra planeri (L 15cm) Elongated fish, resident in unpolluted streams and rivers. It spends most of its 3-5 year lifespan as a larva living buried in silt; here it filters organic matter. Following metamorphosis, adults are sometimes seen spawning in Apilr-May in shallow gravel beds; the sucker is used to move stones to create an egg-laying site. Adults die after spawning.
    139721.jpg
  • Brook Lamprey Lampetra planeri (L 15cm) Elongated fish, resident in unpolluted streams and rivers. It spends most of its 3-5 year lifespan as a larva living buried in silt; here it filters organic matter. Following metamorphosis, adults are sometimes seen spawning in Apilr-May in shallow gravel beds; the sucker is used to move stones to create an egg-laying site. Adults die after spawning.
    139728.jpg
  • Eared willow Salix aurita (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 2m<br />
Shrubby and much-branched willow. SHOOTS Downy at first, becoming shiny and brown with age. LEAVES Broadly ovate, to 4cm long, with wavy margins and a twisted tip; note the large, leafy stipules (‘ears’) at the leaf base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins greener. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Favours damp, acid soils and common beside moorland and upland streams, and on damp heaths.
    133877.jpg
  • WATERCRESS Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (Brassicaceae) Height to 15cm. Usually creeping perennial of shallow streams and ditches. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across with 4 white petals; in terminal heads (May-Oct). FRUITS are narrow pods, 16-18mm long, containing 2 rows of seeds. LEAVES are dark green and pinnately divided; persist through winter. STATUS-Widespread and common; widely cultivated in S England.
    134551.jpg
  • WATERCRESS Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (Brassicaceae) Height to 15cm. Usually creeping perennial of shallow streams and ditches. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across with 4 white petals; in terminal heads (May-Oct). FRUITS are narrow pods, 16-18mm long, containing 2 rows of seeds. LEAVES are dark green and pinnately divided; persist through winter. STATUS-Widespread and common; widely cultivated in S England.
    134550.jpg
  • BLOOD-DROP-EMLETS Mimulus luteus (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 50cm. Showy and distinctive perennial. Similar to Monkeyflower but with strikingly marked flowers. Grows in damp soil, typically beside streams and rivers. FLOWERS are 25-45mm across, the corolla yellow but with large red blotches on the throat, and a 3-lobed lower lip and 2-lobed upper lip; borne in open, terminal clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval and borne in opposite pairs, the upper ones clasping the stem. STATUS-Introduced from N America but naturalised, mainly in the N.
    131610.jpg
  • WATERCRESS Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (Brassicaceae) Height to 15cm. Usually creeping perennial of shallow streams and ditches. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across with 4 white petals; in terminal heads (May-Oct). FRUITS are narrow pods, 16-18mm long, containing 2 rows of seeds. LEAVES are dark green and pinnately divided; persist through winter. STATUS-Widespread and common; widely cultivated in S England.
    130987.jpg
  • RED CURRANT Ribes rubrum (Grossulariaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Deciduous shrub, found in damp woodland and beside streams and rivers. FLOWERS are greenish, bell-shaped and pendent; in clusters of up to 20 flowers (Apr-May). FRUITS are red, shiny berries. LEAVES are rounded, irregularly 5-lobed and are not aromatic when bruised. STATUS-Widespread and locally common native; also widely naturalised.
    130661.jpg
  • MONKEYFLOWER Mimulus guttatus (Scrophulariaceae) * Height 50cm. Attractive and distinctive perennial, the upper parts of which are downy. Grows in damp soil, typically beside streams and rivers. FLOWERS are 25-45mm across and showy, the corolla yellow, marked with small red spots and a 3-lobed lower lip and 2-lobed upper lip; borne in open, terminal clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval and borne in opposite pairs; upper ones unstalked and clasping. STATUS-N American species, introduced and now widely naturalised across the region.
    128066.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    121025.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    129095.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    129100.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    136118.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    136121.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136398.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136403.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136405.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136406.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136418.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    136866.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    137563.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    143985.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    144069.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    157695.jpg
  • Eared willow Salix aurita (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 2m<br />
Shrubby and much-branched willow. SHOOTS Downy at first, becoming shiny and brown with age. LEAVES Broadly ovate, to 4cm long, with wavy margins and a twisted tip; note the large, leafy stipules (‘ears’) at the leaf base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins greener. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Favours damp, acid soils and common beside moorland and upland streams, and on damp heaths.
    134315.jpg
  • Eared willow Salix aurita (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 2m<br />
Shrubby and much-branched willow. SHOOTS Downy at first, becoming shiny and brown with age. LEAVES Broadly ovate, to 4cm long, with wavy margins and a twisted tip; note the large, leafy stipules (‘ears’) at the leaf base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins ovoid and yellow, female catkins greener. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Favours damp, acid soils and common beside moorland and upland streams, and on damp heaths.
    134309.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    153975.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    153977.jpg
  • CORNISH MONEYWORT Sibthorpia europaea (Scrophulariaceae) Prostrate. Intriguing and distinctive, hairy and mat-forming perennial with slender, creeping stems that root at the nodes. Grows on damp, shady banks in woodlands and beside streams. FLOWERS are tiny, the corolla with 2 yellow lobes and 3 pink ones; solitary and borne on short, slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are 2cm across, long stalked and kidney-shaped with 5-7 lobes. STATUS-Very locally common, but scattered and restricted to SW England, Sussex, S Wales and SW Ireland.
    132394.jpg
  • RED CURRANT Ribes rubrum (Grossulariaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Deciduous shrub, found in damp woodland and beside streams and rivers. FLOWERS are greenish, bell-shaped and pendent; in clusters of up to 20 flowers (Apr-May). FRUITS are red, shiny berries. LEAVES are rounded, irregularly 5-lobed and are not aromatic when bruised. STATUS-Widespread and locally common native; also widely naturalised.
    131369.jpg
  • WATERCRESS Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (Brassicaceae) Height to 15cm. Usually creeping perennial of shallow streams and ditches. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across with 4 white petals; in terminal heads (May-Oct). FRUITS are narrow pods, 16-18mm long, containing 2 rows of seeds. LEAVES are dark green and pinnately divided; persist through winter. STATUS-Widespread and common; widely cultivated in S England.
    130986.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    129165.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    136404.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    136868.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    139649.jpg
  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
    145670.jpg
  • Kingfisher Alcedo atthis L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
    145868.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea. Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    158018.jpg
  • Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Length 18cm. Elegant waterside bird. Strikingly long tail is continually pumped up and down. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has blue-grey upperparts and lemon-yellow underparts. Note black bib, white sub-moustachial stripe and white supercilium. Bill is dark, legs are reddish and outer tail feathers are white. Adult female in summer is similar but bib is whitish and variably marked with grey while underparts are paler with yellow colour confined mainly to vent. Winter adults and juveniles are similar to respective summer plumages but with white throats. Voice Utters a sharp chsee-tsit call in flight. Status Favours fast-flowing stony streams and rivers; commonest in N and W.
    158009.jpg
  • Stone Loach Barbatula barbatula Length 5-10cm<br />
This is an elongate, slim-bodied fish with well developed barbels around the mouth; it is widespread but often overlooked in gravel-bottomed, unpolluted streams and rivers.
    156238.jpg
  • Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis. L 16-17cm. Dazzling bird with dagger-like bill. Perches on branches overhanging water and plunge-dives after small fish. Flies low over water on whirring wings. Excavates nest burrow in riverbank. Sexes are separable. Adult male has orange-red underparts, mainly blue upperparts with electric-blue back. Legs and feet are red and bill is all-dark. Adult female is similar but base of lower mandible is flushed red. Juvenile is similar to adult but bill tip is pale. Voice Utters high-pitched call in flight. Status Widespread resident of streams and lakes, commonest in lowland areas.
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  • Three-spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus Length 4-7cm<br />
This ‘tiddler’ is a familiar resident of streams and brackish water, recognised at all times by the 3 dorsal spines; it is silvery for most of the year but, in the breeding season, the male acquires a red belly and bluish dorsal sheen.
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  • Three-spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus Length 4-7cm<br />
This ‘tiddler’ is a familiar resident of streams and brackish water, recognised at all times by the 3 dorsal spines; it is silvery for most of the year but, in the breeding season, the male acquires a red belly and bluish dorsal sheen.
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  • Chub Squalius cephalus Length 30-40cm <br />
This is a streamlined fish with relatively large scales. Adult has a bronze sheen to body with some silvery scaling on the dorsal surface. The pectoral, dorsal and tail fins are dark while the pelvic and anal fins are red. The dorsal and anal fins are convex on their outer edge (they are concave in similar cyprinids). The Chub is locally common in rivers and sizeable streams in lowland England.
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  • Stone Loach Barbatula barbatula Length 5-10cm<br />
This is an elongate, slim-bodied fish with well developed barbels around the mouth; it is widespread but often overlooked in gravel-bottomed, unpolluted streams and rivers.
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  • Grayling Thymallus thymallus Length 30-50cm <br />
An attractive and distinctive fish found in unpolluted flowing water. Adult has a streamlined outline and silvery scales with a large and diagnostic dorsal fin; it also has a small adipose fin, a character shared by Salmon and trout. The Grayling is widespread and locally common in England and Wales (and introduced elsewhere), favouring fast-flowing streams and shallow rivers.
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  • Brown Trout Salmo trutta Length 30-50cm <br />
This familiar sport fish is known in two forms: the Brown Trout, which spends its entire life in freshwater; and the so-called Sea Trout, which only ventures up rivers to breed. Both forms spawn in gravel beds in shallow water. An adult Brown Trout has an orange-brown body adorned with red and black spots; a Sea Trout is pale and silvery with a few dark spots. Brown Trout are widespread and often common in fast-flowing unpolluted rivers and streams. Sea Trout are scarce and declining, found mainly in the W and NW of Britain.
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  • Gudgeon Gobio gobio Length 7-15cm <br />
This is a distinctive fish with an extremely slim, streamlined body and sensory barbels around the mouth that help it to detect prey in sediment and sand on the bottom; it is shoal forming during the summer months. Adult has a body that is bluish above and silvery below. The Gudgeon is locally common in streams and rivers.
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  • Dace Leuciscus leuciscus Length 15-25cm <br />
The Dace is a streamlined, shoaling fish that is superficially similar to, but smaller than, a Chub: size and body colour are useful in identification. Adult has a silvery green body, darkest above and palest below. The dorsal and tail fins are dark while other fins are red. The Dace is locally common in lowland rivers and streams.
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  • Three-spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus Length 4-7cm<br />
This ‘tiddler’ is a familiar resident of streams and brackish water, recognised at all times by the 3 dorsal spines; it is silvery for most of the year but, in the breeding season, the male acquires a red belly and bluish dorsal sheen.
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  • OPPOSITE-LEAVED PONDWEED Groenlandia densa (Potamogetonaceae) Aquatic. Submerged, freshwater perennial of ponds and ditches, as well as streams with a moderate flow. FLOWERS are small, petal-less and greenish; borne in small, submerged clusters (May-Sep). FRUITS comprise small clusters of achenes. LEAVES are narrow-ovate, pointed-tipped and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Locally common only in S.
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  • MARE’S-TAIL Hippuris vulgaris (Hippuridaceae) Aquatic<br />
Grows in streams, ponds and lakes, avoiding acid conditions. Upright, emergent stems are produced from submerged part of plant more readily in still waters. FLOWERS are minute, pink and petal-less; produced at the base of the leaves (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are tiny, greenish nuts. LEAVES are narrow; in whorls of 6-12. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • IVY-LEAVED DUCKWEED Lemna trisulca (Lemnaceae) Aquatic<br />
Freshwater perennial that floats just below the water’s surface of ponds and slow-flowing streams. FLOWERS are minute and seldom seen. FRUITS are seldom seen. LEAVES are 10-15mm long, translucent and narrowly ovate; linked in chain-like fashion, the terminal leaves in a trio, like miniature ivy leaves. STATUS-Widespread but local.
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  • RIVER WATER-CROWFOOT Ranunculus fluitans (Ranunculaceae) Floating. Robust perennial. Forms extensive carpets in suitable fast-flowing streams and rivers. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 white and overlapping petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are borne in rounded heads. LEAVES are divided into narrow, thread-like segments; submerged leaves only. STATUS-Widespread in England but scarce elsewhere.
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  • Lesser Pond Sedge (Carex acutiformis) HEIGHT to 1.2m. Creeping, mat-forming perennial of marshes and the margins of ponds and streams. FLOWERS Comprising 2-3 brownish male spikes above 3-4 yellowish-green femalespikes; spikes usually unstalked (June-July). FRUITS Green, egg-shaped but flattened, narrowing to a beak. LEAVES Long, bluish grey, rough.
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  • Bay Willow - Salix pentandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 18m <br />
Broadly domed, open-crowned tree when growing in its typical open streamside habitat, but more slender and upright in woodlands. SHOOTS Olive-green and glossy. LEAVES Glossy green, showing a bluish tint beneath. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS In contrast to other willows, the bright-yellow upright male catkins appear at same time as new growth of leaves, rather than just before them. Female catkins are dull yellowish-green, longer and more pendulous. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A fairly common native of moorlands, streamsides and boggy areas, and also in damp, upland woods in north of region. Only very occasionally planted as an ornamental tree.
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  • Bay Willow - Salix pentandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 18m <br />
Broadly domed, open-crowned tree when growing in its typical open streamside habitat, but more slender and upright in woodlands. SHOOTS Olive-green and glossy. LEAVES Glossy green, showing a bluish tint beneath. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS In contrast to other willows, the bright-yellow upright male catkins appear at same time as new growth of leaves, rather than just before them. Female catkins are dull yellowish-green, longer and more pendulous. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A fairly common native of moorlands, streamsides and boggy areas, and also in damp, upland woods in north of region. Only very occasionally planted as an ornamental tree.
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  • Bay Willow - Salix pentandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 18m <br />
Broadly domed, open-crowned tree when growing in its typical open streamside habitat, but more slender and upright in woodlands. SHOOTS Olive-green and glossy. LEAVES Glossy green, showing a bluish tint beneath. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS In contrast to other willows, the bright-yellow upright male catkins appear at same time as new growth of leaves, rather than just before them. Female catkins are dull yellowish-green, longer and more pendulous. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A fairly common native of moorlands, streamsides and boggy areas, and also in damp, upland woods in north of region. Only very occasionally planted as an ornamental tree.
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  • Bay Willow - Salix pentandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 18m <br />
Broadly domed, open-crowned tree when growing in its typical open streamside habitat, but more slender and upright in woodlands. SHOOTS Olive-green and glossy. LEAVES Glossy green, showing a bluish tint beneath. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS In contrast to other willows, the bright-yellow upright male catkins appear at same time as new growth of leaves, rather than just before them. Female catkins are dull yellowish-green, longer and more pendulous. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A fairly common native of moorlands, streamsides and boggy areas, and also in damp, upland woods in north of region. Only very occasionally planted as an ornamental tree.
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  • Black-bellied Dipper - Cinlus cinlus cinclus
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  • Bay Willow Salix pentandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 18m <br />
Broadly domed, open-crowned tree when growing in its typical open streamside habitat, but more slender and upright in woodlands. SHOOTS Olive-green and glossy. LEAVES Glossy green, showing a bluish tint beneath. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS In contrast to other willows, the bright-yellow upright male catkins appear at same time as new growth of leaves, rather than just before them. Female catkins are dull yellowish-green, longer and more pendulous. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A fairly common native of moorlands, streamsides and boggy areas, and also in damp, upland woods in north of region. Only very occasionally planted as an ornamental tree.
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  • Dawn at the source of the River Test Overton, Hampshire
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  • 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.
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  • Dawn at the source of the River Test Overton, Hampshire
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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  • Arran Whitebeam Sorbus arranensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 7m. A rather domed tree (a stable and fertile hybrid between Rowan S. aucuparia and Cliff Whitebeam S. rupicola). LEAVES Narrowly oval to elliptical in overall outline but with finely-toothed rounded lobes, cut roughly half-way to midrib; 7-8 pairs of veins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fruits are red, to 10mm long, with few lenticels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Restricted to granite streamsides on Arran, the population numbering around 400.
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  • Almond Willow Salix triandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
Small tree or untidy shrub. BARK Smooth, flaking off in small patches. SHOOTS Greenish or reddish-brown and terminate in brown, ovoid, smooth buds. LEAVES Ovate, up to 10cm long, with a serrated margin and pointed tip, usually smooth, hairless, and a dark glossy green. The petiole to 1.5cm long and smooth. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins usually appear at the same time as the leaves on short leafy shoots and are erect and cylindrical. Male catkins up to 5cm long and greenish-yellow, remaining on tree for some time. Female catkins shorter and more compact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread in southern England but becoming scarce further north and west. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ponds or in marshes.
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  • Almond Willow Salix triandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
Small tree or untidy shrub. BARK Smooth, flaking off in small patches. SHOOTS Greenish or reddish-brown and terminate in brown, ovoid, smooth buds. LEAVES Ovate, up to 10cm long, with a serrated margin and pointed tip, usually smooth, hairless, and a dark glossy green. The petiole to 1.5cm long and smooth. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins usually appear at the same time as the leaves on short leafy shoots and are erect and cylindrical. Male catkins up to 5cm long and greenish-yellow, remaining on tree for some time. Female catkins shorter and more compact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread in southern England but becoming scarce further north and west. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ponds or in marshes.
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  • Almond Willow Salix triandra (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
Small tree or untidy shrub. BARK Smooth, flaking off in small patches. SHOOTS Greenish or reddish-brown and terminate in brown, ovoid, smooth buds. LEAVES Ovate, up to 10cm long, with a serrated margin and pointed tip, usually smooth, hairless, and a dark glossy green. The petiole to 1.5cm long and smooth. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins usually appear at the same time as the leaves on short leafy shoots and are erect and cylindrical. Male catkins up to 5cm long and greenish-yellow, remaining on tree for some time. Female catkins shorter and more compact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread in southern England but becoming scarce further north and west. Grows in damp ground, often beside rivers and ponds or in marshes.
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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