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  • Ground Pine (Ajuga chamaepitys) HEIGHT to 20cm. Distinctive unusual hairy annual. Grows on dry, bare and disturbed ground, including cultivated land, on calcareous soils. FLOWERS 8-15mm long, mainly yellow, with small purple markings; borne at leaf nodes (May-Aug). FRUITS Nutlets. LEAVES Withering early at the base; stem leaves diagnostically deeply divided into 3 narrow lobes that smell of pine when rubbed.
    106300.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
  • GROUND-PINE Ajuga chamaepitys (Lamiaceae) Height to 20cm. Distinctive and unusual hairy annual. Grows on dry, bare and disturbed ground, including cultivated land, on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 8-15mm long and mainly yellow, with small purple markings; borne at leaf nodes (May-Aug.) FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES wither early at the base; stem leaves diagnostically deeply divided into 3 narrow lobes that smell of pine when rubbed. STATUS-Rare, S England only.
    131788.jpg
  • GROUND-ELDER Aegopodium podagraria (Apiaceae) Height to 1m. Creeping and patch-forming hairless perennial. Favours damp and disturbed ground and a persistent weed in the garden. FLOWERS are white and borne in compact umbels, 2-6cm across with 10-20 rays (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped and ridged. LEAVES are fresh green, roughly triangular in outline and twice trifoliate.
    106164.jpg
  • Allseed - Radiola linoides (Linaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Low-growing, rather bushy annual found on damp ground, usually on sandy or peaty ground and acid soils. FLOWERS 1-2mm across with tiny white petals; borne in dense terminal clusters (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are oval, 1-veined and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local, and most common in SW England.
    155449.jpg
  • Pond Cypress Taxodium ascendens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Slender, conical to columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey and ridged in older specimens. BRANCHES Horizontal but curving down sharply at tips, and fine shoots that curved upwards with small clasping leaves and give a knotted-cord look. Deciduous shoots are shed in autumn. There is a fine display of autumn colours, starting orange and turning brown. LEAVES Pale green and 8mm long; arranged spirally. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellowish-green, hanging catkins up to 20cm long. Female flowers are produced on the same tree at base of male catkins, first appearing in autumn, but not opening until spring. Rounded cones up to 3cm long are green at first but ripen brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the SE USA, growing in wet ground by ponds and swampy ground. Introduced into Britain, where it succeeds only in warmer parts of the south.
    134967.jpg
  • Pond Cypress Taxodium ascendens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Slender, conical to columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey and ridged in older specimens. BRANCHES Horizontal but curving down sharply at tips, and fine shoots that curved upwards with small clasping leaves and give a knotted-cord look. Deciduous shoots are shed in autumn. There is a fine display of autumn colours, starting orange and turning brown. LEAVES Pale green and 8mm long; arranged spirally. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellowish-green, hanging catkins up to 20cm long. Female flowers are produced on the same tree at base of male catkins, first appearing in autumn, but not opening until spring. Rounded cones up to 3cm long are green at first but ripen brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the SE USA, growing in wet ground by ponds and swampy ground. Introduced into Britain, where it succeeds only in warmer parts of the south.
    134582.jpg
  • Pond Cypress Taxodium ascendens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Slender, conical to columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey and ridged in older specimens. BRANCHES Horizontal but curving down sharply at tips, and fine shoots that curved upwards with small clasping leaves and give a knotted-cord look. Deciduous shoots are shed in autumn. There is a fine display of autumn colours, starting orange and turning brown. LEAVES Pale green and 8mm long; arranged spirally. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellowish-green, hanging catkins up to 20cm long. Female flowers are produced on the same tree at base of male catkins, first appearing in autumn, but not opening until spring. Rounded cones up to 3cm long are green at first but ripen brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the SE USA, growing in wet ground by ponds and swampy ground. Introduced into Britain, where it succeeds only in warmer parts of the south.
    134581.jpg
  • LESSER SPEARWORT Ranunculus flammula (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS are 5-15mm across and usually solitary; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are beaked but not winged. LEAVES are oval (basal leaves); stem leaves are narrow. STATUS-Widespread, commonest in the N.
    140181.jpg
  • LESSER SPEARWORT Ranunculus flammula (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS are 5-15mm across and usually solitary; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are beaked but not winged. LEAVES are oval (basal leaves); stem leaves are narrow. STATUS-Widespread, commonest in the N.
    132072.jpg
  • LESSER SPEARWORT Ranunculus flammula (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS are 5-15mm across and usually solitary; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are beaked but not winged. LEAVES are oval (basal leaves); stem leaves are narrow. STATUS-Widespread, commonest in the N.
    132073.jpg
  • DUKE OF ARGYLL’S TEAPLANT Lycium barbarum (Solanaceae) Height to 1.5m. Deciduous perennial with spiny and greyish white, woody stems; these often root where they droop and touch the ground. Grows on disturbed ground and in hedgerows, often near the coast. FLOWERS are 8-10mm long, purplish and 5-lobed, with projecting, yellow anthers; borne in groups of 1-3 flowers that arise from leaf axils (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped, red berries. LEAVES are lanceolate and grey-green. STATUS-Introduced from China and naturalised, especially near the sea.
    131611.jpg
  • HEDGE WOUNDWORT Stachys sylvatica (Lamiaceae) Height to 75cm. Roughly hairy perennial with creeping stems, upright flowering stalks and an unpleasant smell to the whole plant when bruised. Grows in hedgerows, wayside ground and in verges, often on disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 12-18mm long and reddish purple with white markings on the lower lip; borne in open, terminal spikes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and long-stalked, the lower ones being rather heart-shaped. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout much of the region.
    131320.jpg
  • HEDGE WOUNDWORT Stachys sylvatica (Lamiaceae) Height to 75cm. Roughly hairy perennial with creeping stems, upright flowering stalks and an unpleasant smell to the whole plant when bruised. Grows in hedgerows, wayside ground and in verges, often on disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 12-18mm long and reddish purple with white markings on the lower lip; borne in open, terminal spikes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and long-stalked, the lower ones being rather heart-shaped. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout much of the region.
    131319.jpg
  • SWINE-CRESS Coronopus squamatus (Brassicaceae) Prostrate. Creeping annual or biennial of disturbed and waste ground, often near the sea. FLOWERS are 2-3mm across and white; in compact clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are knobbly and flattened. LEAVES are pinnately divided and toothed, sometimes forming a dense mat on the ground. STATUS-Common in S and E England but scarce elsewhere.
    131188.jpg
  • FLEA SEDGE Carex pulicaris (Cyperaceae) Height to 25cm<br />
Intriguing, tufted sedge with rounded stems. Grows in damp ground, usually on calcareous ground. FLOWERS are reddish brown and in inflorescences comprising a single spike with male flowers above females (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are shiny, brown and fancifully flea-like. LEAVES are dark-green and thread-like. STATUS-Locally common.
    130606.jpg
  • TALL ROCKET Sisymbrium altissimum (Brassicaceae) Height to 2m. Upright annual of waste ground; hairless above but hairy below. Flowers 1cm across, yellow petals, twice the length of sepals (June-Aug). Fruits slender, narrow and up to 10cm long. Leaves have very narrow lobes, Status introduced but established in S and E England. Eastern Rocket S. orientale is similar but with smaller flowers and divided leaves that are spear-shaped overall. Waste ground in S.
    130026.jpg
  • ALLSEED Radiola linoides (Linaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Low-growing, rather bushy annual found on damp ground, usually on sandy or peaty ground and acid soils. FLOWERS 1-2mm across with tiny white petals; borne in dense terminal clusters (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are oval, 1-veined and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local, and most common in SW England.
    129725.jpg
  • OXFORD RAGWORT Senecio squalidus (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Annual or perennial that is much branched from the base, typically forming a straggly, spreading plant. Grows in disturbed ground and characteristic of railway tracks, verges and waste ground. FLOWERS are yellow and borne in heads, 15-25mm across; these are carried in clusters (May-Dec). Note the black-tipped bracts. FRUITS are downy. LEAVES are pinnate with a pointed end lobe.
    103472.jpg
  • ALLSEED Radiola linoides (Linaceae) Height to 5cm<br />
Low-growing, rather bushy annual found on damp ground, usually on sandy or peaty ground and acid soils. FLOWERS 1-2mm across with tiny white petals; borne in dense terminal clusters (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are oval, 1-veined and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread but local, and most common in SW England.
    144216.jpg
  • Pond Cypress Taxodium ascendens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Slender, conical to columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey and ridged in older specimens. BRANCHES Horizontal but curving down sharply at tips, and fine shoots that curved upwards with small clasping leaves and give a knotted-cord look. Deciduous shoots are shed in autumn. There is a fine display of autumn colours, starting orange and turning brown. LEAVES Pale green and 8mm long; arranged spirally. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellowish-green, hanging catkins up to 20cm long. Female flowers are produced on the same tree at base of male catkins, first appearing in autumn, but not opening until spring. Rounded cones up to 3cm long are green at first but ripen brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the SE USA, growing in wet ground by ponds and swampy ground. Introduced into Britain, where it succeeds only in warmer parts of the south.
    134995.jpg
  • LESSER SPEARWORT Ranunculus flammula (Ranunculaceae) Height less than 50cm. Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS are 5-15mm across and usually solitary; borne on furrowed stalks (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are beaked but not winged. LEAVES are oval (basal leaves); stem leaves are narrow.
    108844.jpg
  • Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Urocitellus richardsonii
    159721.jpg
  • Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Urocitellus richardsonii
    159719.jpg
  • Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Urocitellus richardsonii
    159717.jpg
  • Bramble - Rubus fruticosus. Height to 3m<br />
Scrambling shrub that comprises hundreds of microspecies. Arching stems are armed with variably shaped prickles and root when they touch the ground. Found in hedgerows and scrub. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and white or pink (May-Aug). FRUITS are familiar blackberries. LEAVES have 3-5 toothed leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    157357.jpg
  • Sun Spurge - Euphorbia helioscopia. Height to 50cm. Upright, hairless and yellowish green annual. Found on disturbed ground and in cultivated soils. FLOWERS lack sepals and petals and are yellow with green lobes; borne in flat-topped umbel-like clusters with 5 leaf-like basal bracts (May-Nov). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    157352.jpg
  • Common Chickweed - Stellaria media. Height to 30cm<br />
Annual of disturbed ground. Sometimes prostrate. Stems hairy in lines on alternate sides between leaf nodes. FLOWERS are white, 5-petalled and 5-10mm across (Jan-Dec); 3-8 stamens. FRUITS are capsules on long, drooping stalks. LEAVES are oval, fresh green and in opposite pairs; upper ones unstalked.
    157346.jpg
  • YARROW Achillea millefolium (Asteraceae) on Lundy Island, Devon. Height to 50cm. Upright, downy perennial with creeping stems and upright, unbranched and furrowed flowering stalks. The whole plant is strongly aromatic. Grows in meadows, verges and hedgerows, and on waste ground. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 4-6mm across, comprising yellowish disc florets and pinkish white ray florets; the heads are arranged in flat-topped clusters (Jun-Nov). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are dark green, finely divided and feathery. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    156569.jpg
  • Bog Pimpernel - Anagallis tenella (Primulaceae) Creeping<br />
Delicate and attractive hairless perennial; has trailing stems and sometimes forms mats. Found on damp ground, such as bogs and dune slacks, and mainly on acid soils. FLOWERS are up to 1cm long, pink and funnel-shaped with 5 lobes; borne on slender, upright stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are rounded, short-stalked and borne in opposite pairs.
    155451.jpg
  • Purple Willow Salix purpurea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m<br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. BARK Grey and shiny. SHOOTS Shiny and reddish purple when young. LEAVES Elongate ovate, broadest towards the blunt tip and up to 12cm long; hairless, the margin toothed only near the tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins are golden-yellow with reddish purple anthers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native, widespread but rather local; absent from, or scarce in, SE England, W Britain and the Scottish Highlands. Grows in damp ground, beside rivers and ponds and in marshes
    133880.jpg
  • SCENTLESS MAYWEED Tripleurospermum inodorum (Asteraceae) Height to 75cm. Scentless, hairless and often rather straggly perennial of disturbed and cultivated ground. FLOWERS are borne in clusters of solitary, long-stalked heads, 20-40mm across, comprising yellow disc florets and white ray florets (Apr-Oct). No scales between disc florets. Receptacle is domed and solid. FRUITS are achenes tipped with black oil glands. LEAVES are feathery and much-divided. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    141593.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
  • Horse-radish Armoracia rusticana Height to 1.5m<br />
Upright, hairless perennial. Leaves are narrowly oval, long-stalked and up to 30cm long. Flowers are white and 8-9mm across with 4 petals; borne in leafy spikes, May-July. Status-Widespread and locally common, naturalised on damp ground.
    134509.jpg
  • ANNUAL PEARLWORT Sagina apetala (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 8cm. Straggling, wiry annual of short, dry grassland and bare ground, usually on sandy soils. No basal rosette. FLOWERS have minute greenish petals and 4 longer greenish sepals that spread in fruit; borne on long stems (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, bristle-tipped, with hairy margins. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    134153.jpg
  • TOWER MUSTARD Arabis glabra. Tall (height to 1m); greyish, arrow-shaped, clasping leaves with tiny pale flowers. Scarce on dry ground in south.
    133848.jpg
  • GREEN FIELD-SPEEDWELL Veronica agrestis. Prostrate. Similar to both Common and Field-speedwells, but separable with care. Favours bare and disturbed ground, often on acid soils. Flowers 3-5mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and extremely pale with a white lower lip (Jan-Dec). Fruits with rounded lobes. Leaves fresh green, oval, toothed and in pairs. Status widespread but rather scarce and declining.
    132224.jpg
  • COMMON ORACHE Atriplex patula (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 60cm. Variable, branched annual; sometimes upright but often prostrate. Found on bare ground. FLOWERS are small, greenish and borne in leafy spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are diamond-shaped, toothless and lack warts. LEAVES are toothed; upper ones are lanceolate while lower ones are triangular. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    132166.jpg
  • CREEPING YELLOW-CRESS Rorippa sylvestris (Brassicaceae) Height to 50cm. Sprawling, sometimes creeping annual of damp, bare ground that has solid, not hollow, stems. FLOWERS are 5mm across with 4 yellow petals, twice as long as sepals; in terminal heads (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are elliptical pods, 8-15mm long. LEAVES are pinnately lobed. STATUS-Locally common in England and Wales; scarce elsewhere.
    132153.jpg
  • NODDING BUR-MARIGOLD Bidens cernua (Asteraceae) Height to 70cm. Similar to Trifid Bur-marigold but with hairy stems. Grows in damp ground and shallow water. FLOWERS in nodding heads, 15-30mm across with yellow disc florets and 5-8 leaf-like bracts below (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are narrow and flattened with 3-4 barbed bristles. LEAVES are lanceolate, unstalked and undivided. STATUS-Locally common in S.
    132144.jpg
  • GREATER BURDOCK Arctium lappa (Asteraceae) Height to 1m. Branched and downy biennial of hedgerows, woodland rides, verges and waste ground. FLOWERS are borne in egg-shaped heads, 20-40mm across, with purplish florets and greenish yellow, hooked and spiny bracts; carried in few-flowered inflorescences (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are burs, armed with hooked spines (flower bracts) that cling to animal fur and aid dispersal. LEAVES are heart-shaped with solid stalks; basal leaves are longer than wide. STATUS-Locally common in England and Wales; scarce elsewhere.
    131994.jpg
  • CELERY-LEAVED BUTTERCUP Ranunculus scleratus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 50cm. Yellowish green annual with hollow stems. Favours marshes and wet grazing meadows, often on trampled ground. FLOWERS are 5-10mm across with pale yellow petals; borne in clusters (May-Sep). FRUITS have elongated heads. LEAVES are celery-like and divided into 3 lobes (basal leaves); stem leaves less divided. STATUS-Locally common in S.
    131950.jpg
  • MARSH SPEEDWELL Veronica scutellata (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 20cm. Delicate and downy or hairless perennial with both creeping and upright stems. Grows in damp, often boggy ground, especially on acid soils. FLOWERS are 6-7mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and pale pink or white, with dark lines; borne on stalks in open spikes (Jun-Aug). FRUITS is a flattened, notched capsule that is broader than it is tall. LEAVES are narrow, lanceolate and 2-4cm long. STATUS-Locally common throughout.
    131915.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
  • PENNYROYAL Mentha pulegium (Height to 30cm) is mint-scented, creeping and downy perennial with upright flowering stems carrying discrete whorls of mauve flowers (Aug-Oct). It grows in damp, grazed ground beside ponds and the New Forest is the best place in the region to see the species.
    131898.jpg
  • THYME-LEAVED SPEEDWELL Veronica serpyllifolia (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 20cm. Delicate and often downy perennial, with creeping stems that root at intervals, and typically hairless, upright flowering stems. Grows on bare and disturbed ground including short grassland, cultivated land and woodland clearings. FLOWERS are 5-7mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and pale blue or white; borne on short stalks in loose spikes (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are flattened and rather oval capsules. LEAVES are thyme-like, small, oval and untoothed. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    131852.jpg
  • CHICKWEED WILLOWHERB Epilobium alsiniflium (Onograceae) Height to 20cm. Branched and usually upright perennial that is almost hairless. Found damp ground in uplands. FLOWERS are 8-11mm across, pinkish purple and seldom open fully; borne on drooping stalks (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are long, green and erect. LEAVES are ovate, short-stalked and slightly toothed. STATUS-Local in mountains from N Wales northwards.
    131734.jpg
  • 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.
    131711.jpg
  • STONE BRAMBLE Rubus saxatilis (Rosaceae) Height to 40cm<br />
Creeping perennial with slender stems that either bear weak prickles, or none at all. Favours rocky ground. FLOWERS are 5-10mm across with 5 narrow, white petals (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are shiny and red with 2-6 segments. LEAVES are trifoliate with toothed leaflets that are downy below. STATUS-Locally common, but mainly in W and N.
    131690.jpg
  • DARK MULLEIN Verbascum nigrum (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1m. Upright and ridge-stemmed biennial; stems purplish and usually unbranched. Grows on roadside verges and disturbed ground, on calcareous and sandy soils. FLOWERS are 1-2cm across and yellow, the stamens coated in purple hairs; borne in elongated spikes (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are dark green and oval, lower ones long-stalked, upper ones almost unstalked. STATUS-Locally common in S and E England only.
    131603.jpg
  • PALE PERSICARIA Persicaria lapathifolia (Polygonaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright or sprawling annual. Similar to Redshank but stems are usually greenish and hairy. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are greenish white and borne in terminal spikes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are narrow and oval. STATUS-Widespread and generally common throughout.
    131559.jpg
  • SQUARE-STALKED ST JOHN’S-WORT Hypericum tetrapterum (Clusiaceae) Height to 1m. Upright, hairless perennial. Similar to Imperforate St John’s-wort but the square stems are distinctly winged. Found in damp ground. FLOWERS are 2cm across with yellow petals and undotted, pointed sepals (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are oval with translucent dots. STATUS-Widespread and locally common, except in the N.
    131549.jpg
  • SQUARE-STALKED ST JOHN’S-WORT Hypericum tetrapterum (Clusiaceae) Height to 1m. Upright, hairless perennial. Similar to Imperforate St John’s-wort but the square stems are distinctly winged. Found in damp ground. FLOWERS are 2cm across with yellow petals and undotted, pointed sepals (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES are oval with translucent dots. STATUS-Widespread and locally common, except in the N.
    131539.jpg
  • SPEAR-LEAVED ORACHE Atriplex prostrata (Chenopodiaceae) Height to 70cm. Upright annual; stems are often tinged red. Favours waste and bare ground near the sea. FLOWERS are borne in rather short spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are triangular and surrounded by green bracts. LEAVES are triangular in outline and toothed; basal, largest teeth are at right angles to the stalk. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    131488.jpg
  • SUN SPURGE Euphorbia helioscopia (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 50cm. Upright, hairless and yellowish green annual. Found on disturbed ground and in cultivated soils. FLOWERS lack sepals and petals and are yellow with green lobes; borne in flat-topped umbel-like clusters with 5 leaf-like basal bracts (May-Nov). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131489.jpg
  • EQUAL-LEAVED KNOTGRASS Polygonum arenastrum (Polygonaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming annual of bare ground and disturbed soil. Superficially similar to Knotgrass. FLOWERS are pale pink and arise in leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like and are enclosed by the withering flower. LEAVES are oval and equal in size on main stem and side branches (cf. Knotgrass). STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131456.jpg
  • EQUAL-LEAVED KNOTGRASS Polygonum arenastrum (Polygonaceae) Prostrate. Mat-forming annual of bare ground and disturbed soil. Superficially similar to Knotgrass. FLOWERS are pale pink and arise in leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like and are enclosed by the withering flower. LEAVES are oval and equal in size on main stem and side branches (cf. Knotgrass). STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131455.jpg
  • SCENTLESS MAYWEED Tripleurospermum inodorum (Asteraceae) Height to 75cm. Scentless, hairless and often rather straggly perennial of disturbed and cultivated ground. FLOWERS are borne in clusters of solitary, long-stalked heads, 20-40mm across, comprising yellow disc florets and white ray florets (Apr-Oct). No scales between disc florets. Receptacle is domed and solid. FRUITS are achenes tipped with black oil glands. LEAVES are feathery and much-divided. STATUS-Widespread and common.
    131425.jpg
  • AMERICAN WILLOWHERB Epilobium ciliatum (Onograceae) Height to 50cm. Upright perennial; stems have 4 raised lines and spreading, glandular hairs. Found on waste ground and damp, shady places. FLOWERS are 8-10mm across with pink, notched petals and a club-shaped stigma (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pods that contain cottony seeds. LEAVES are narrow-oval, toothed and short-stalked. STATUS-Introduced but widely naturalised.
    131286.jpg
  • REDSHANK Persicaria maculosa (Polygonaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright or sprawling hairless annual with much-branched reddish stems. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS are pink and borne in terminal spikes (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are narrow and oval, and usually show a dark central mark. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    131269.jpg
  • LONG-HEADED POPPY Papaver dubium (Papaveraceae) Height to 60cm. Annual of arable land and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 3-7cm across with 4 papery, orange-red overlapping petals with no dark basal blotch; on stalks with adpressed hairs (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are narrow, elongated and hairless capsules. LEAVES are much divided into narrow segments. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common, including the N.
    131242.jpg
  • TUFTED FORGET-ME-NOT Myosotis laxa (Boraginaceae) Height to 12cm. Branched perennial that lacks runners. Grows in damp ground. Note the appressed hairs on the stems, leaves and calyx. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across with rounded blue lobes, the calyx having pointed teeth; in clusters (May-Aug). FRUITS are nutlets. Fruit stalks are 2-3 times calyx length. LEAVES are oblong. STATUS-Common and widespread.
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  • BEAKED HAWK'S-BEARD Crepis vesicaria. Height to 1.2m. Branched, roughly hairy plant of grassland, verges and waste ground. Flowers in heads 15-25mm across, with orange-yellow florets, outer ones striped red (June-Sep). Fruits with a pappus of unbranched hairs. Leaves irregularly pinnate, with a large end lobe. Status introduced but common in S England.
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  • ANNUAL PEARLWORT Sagina apetala (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 8cm. Straggling, wiry annual of short, dry grassland and bare ground, usually on sandy soils. No basal rosette. FLOWERS have minute greenish petals and 4 longer greenish sepals that spread in fruit; borne on long stems (Apr-Aug). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are narrow, bristle-tipped, with hairy margins. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • WALL BARLEY Hordeum murinum (Poaceae) Height to 30cm<br />
Tufted annual of bare ground and waste places, often near the sea. FLOWERS are borne in long, unbranched spikes, 9-10cm long, with spikelets in 3s, each with 3 stiff awns (May-Jul); flowering stems are prostrate at base. FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are 7-8mm wide with short, blunt ligules. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • BLUE WATER-SPEEDWELL Veronica anagallis-aquatica (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 25cm. Hairless perennial with creeping stems that root at the nodes, and upright flowering stems. Grows in damp ground, in woodlands and marshes, and also around the margins of shallow ponds. FLOWERS are 5-6mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and pale blue; in dense spikes that comprise pairs of flowers on stalks arising from leaf axils, the stalks as long as the bracts (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are flattened, rounded and notched capsules. LEAVES are narrow-oval, pointed, toothed and up to 12cm long. STATUS-Locally common.
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  • PINK-SORREL Oxalis articulata (Oxalidaceae) (Fabaceae) Height to 25cm. Tufted, downy perennial of dry, bare ground. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across and pink; borne on stalked umbels (May-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are trifoliate marked with orange spots below. STATUS-A familiar garden plant that is naturalised locally.
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  • HOARY CRESS Lepidium draba (Brassicaceae) Height to 60cm. Variable, often hairless perennial of disturbed ground. FLOWERS are tiny and white; borne in large, frothy terminal clusters (May-Oct). FRUITS are heart-shaped and inflated. LEAVES are grey-green, lanceolate and variably toothed; stem leaves clasp the stem. STATUS-Introduced; now locally common in England, occasional elsewhere.
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  • WAVY BITTER-CRESS Cardamine flexuosa (Brassicaceae) Height to 50cm. Similar to Hairy Bitter-cress but taller and with wavy, hairy stems. Favours damp and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across with 4 white petals (Mar-Sep). FRUITS are curved and barely overtop flowers. LEAVES are pinnately divided with rounded lobes; seen as a basal rosette plus 4-10 stem leaves. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • HAIRY BITTER-CRESS Cardamine hirsuta (Brassicaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright annual with hairless stems. Found on damp, disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 2-3mm across (petals sometimes absent) and terminal (Feb-Nov). FRUITS are curved, up to 2.5cm long and overtop flowers. LEAVES are pinnately divided with rounded lobes; seen mainly as a basal rosette plus 1-4 stem leaves. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • BLACK MUSTARD Brassica nigra (Brassicaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Robust, greyish annual. Often found on sea cliffs, riverbanks and waste ground. FLOWERS are 12-15mm across with 4 yellow petals (May-Aug). FRUITS are flattened and pressed close to stem. LEAVES are stalked, the lower ones pinnately lobed and bristly. STATUS-Locally common in England and Wales; rather scarce elsewhere.
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  • WAVY BITTER-CRESS Cardamine flexuosa (Brassicaceae) Height to 50cm. Similar to Hairy Bitter-cress but taller and with wavy, hairy stems. Favours damp and disturbed ground. FLOWERS are 3-4mm across with 4 white petals (Mar-Sep). FRUITS are curved and barely overtop flowers. LEAVES are pinnately divided with rounded lobes; seen as a basal rosette plus 4-10 stem leaves. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • WATER-PURSLANE Lythrum portula (Lythraceae) Prostrate<br />
Low-growing, creeping and hairless annual. Found on damp, bare ground and also in shallow water, mainly on acid soils. FLOWERS are 1-2mm across, with 6 pinkish petals that are often absent or fallen; borne in leaf axils (Jun-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Locally common throughout.
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  • STICKY MOUSE-EAR Cerastium glomeratum (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 40cm. Annual with sticky, glandular hairs. Found on dry, bare ground. FLOWERS are white, 10-15mm across, with 5 deeply notched petals; carried in compact, clustered heads (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are pointed-ovate and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • NORTHERN DOCK Rumex longifolius (Polygonaceae) Upright perennial of disturbed ground, often beside rivers and roads, or near the coast. Rather similar to Curled Dock. FLOWERS are pale green, borne in narrow spikes. FRUITS are heart-shaped and lack teeth and tubercles (Jul-Sep). LEAVES are up to 80cm long, broader than those of Curled Dock. STATUS-Locally common only in C Scotland.
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  • CORN CHAMOMILE Anthemis arvensis (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm. Pleasantly aromatic annual with downy stems. Grows on cultivated, calcareous ground. FLOWERS in solitary heads with yellow disc florets and white ray florets (Jun-Jul). Scales present between disc florets. FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES much-divided; lobes broader than in other mayweeds, and downy below. STATUS-Locally common in S only.
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  • FIELD ERYNGO Eryngium campestre (Height to 50cm) is similar to Sea-holly but yellowish green, with narrower, more deeply divided leaves and smaller flower umbels (Jun-Jul). It grows on dry ground, often near the sea, and is regular at a site near Plymouth; elsewhere its appearance is ephemeral and possibly the result of introductions.
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  • BERMUDA-BUTTERCUP Oxalis pes-caprae (Oxalidaceae) (Fabaceae) Height to 10cm. Distinctive, hairless perennial. Found on bare ground and grassy places. FLOWERS are up to 4cm across and bright yellow; borne in stalked umbels (Mar-Jun). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are trifoliate and clover-like, with spoon-shaped leaflets. STATUS-Persists locally as a relict of cultivation in SW England, and sometimes naturalised.
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  • BORAGE Borago officinalis (Boraginaceae)  Height to 30cm<br />
Robust and bristly annual. Found growing on disturbed ground and sometimes on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 20-25mm across, the 5 blue petal-like corolla lobes alternating with purplish calyx teeth; note also the projecting column of anthers (May-Jul).  FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval; lower ones are stalked, upper ones clasp the stem.
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  • COMMON CHICKWEED Stellaria media (Caryophyllaceae) Height to 30cm<br />
Annual of disturbed ground. Sometimes prostrate. Stems hairy in lines on alternate sides between leaf nodes. FLOWERS are white, 5-petalled and 5-10mm across (Jan-Dec); 3-8 stamens. FRUITS are capsules on long, drooping stalks. LEAVES are oval, fresh green and in opposite pairs; upper ones unstalked.
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  • CORNFLOWER Centaurea cyanus (Asteraceae) Height to 90cm. Creeping perennial with upright flowering stems that are winged below leaf stalks and swollen beneath flower heads. Grows in arable fields and on disturbed ground. FLOWERS in heads, 15-30mm across, with bluish outer florets and reddish purple inner florets (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are hairless. LEAVES are narrow; basal ones may be lobed. STATUS-Formerly a common arable ‘weed’ prior to the use of modern agricultural herbicides; now virtually extinct on farmland, seen mainly where seed is deliberately scattered.
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  • CROWBERRY Empetrum nigrum (Empetraceae) Height to 10cm. Mat-forming, Heather-like evergreen undershrub with stems that are reddish when young. Found on upland moors on damp, acid ground. FLOWERS are tiny and pinkish, with 6 petals; arise at base of leaves (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny berries, 5-7mm across, green at first but ripening black in late summer. LEAVES are narrow, shiny and dark green, with inrolled margins. STATUS-Locally common only in N Britain.
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  • INDIAN BALSAM Impatiens glandulifera (Balsaminaceae) Height to 2m. Distinctive annual with reddish stems. Found along riverbanks and on damp waste ground. FLOWERS are 3-4cm long and pinkish purple with a short, curved spur; borne on stalks in clusters (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are club-shaped and explosive. LEAVES are oval, toothed and borne in opposite pairs or whorls of 3. STATUS-Widely naturalised.
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  • YARROW Achillea millefolium (Asteraceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Upright, downy perennial with creeping stems and upright, unbranched and furrowed flowering stalks. The whole plant is strongly aromatic. Grows in meadows, verges and hedgerows, and on waste ground. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 4-6mm across, comprising yellowish disc florets and pinkish white ray florets; the heads are arranged in flat-topped clusters (Jun-Nov). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are dark green, finely divided and feathery. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
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  • 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.
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  • Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca Length 50-70cm Rare snake with vaguely viperine markings. Pupil is rounded (vertical slit in Adder). Sunbathes but typically partially hidden. Hibernates October-April. Diet includes other reptiles. Sexes are similar. Adult has slender body but relatively large head; scales are satiny smooth. Overall ground colour ranges from bluish grey to reddish brown. Has darkish spots along length, sometimes combining to form Adder-like zigzag. Head has dark patch; posterior margin is sometimes rather V-shaped. From side, note dark eye stripe. Juvenile is similar but has spots along flanks. In Britain, restricted to mature heathland with bushy Heather (Calluna vulgaris). Rare because of habitat loss, inappropriate heathland management and fires.
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  • Bluethroat Luscinia svecica L 13-14cm. Robin-sized bird that feeds on ground. Unobtrusive but obvious when seen well. Red sides to base of tail are diagnostic. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with white supercilium and iridescent blue throat and breast, bordered below by bands of black, white and red; typically, blue ‘throat’ has white or red central spot depending on race. Blue colour masked by pale feather fringes in autumn. In other plumages Blue on throat is obscured by pale feather margins, or replaced by cream or white, depending on individual’s sex and age. Voice Utters a sharp tchick call. Status Scarce passage migrant.
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  • Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii Length 18cm. Familiar black, grey and white bird that pumps its tail up and down and has a distinctive call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white underparts and black breast and upperparts; note white face, white wingbars, dark legs and bill, and white outer tail feathers. In winter, similar but throat is white and black on breast is less extensive. Adult female recalls an adult male in various seasons but back is dark grey. Juvenile and 1st winter birds have greyish upperparts, black rump, and whitish underparts; note whitish wingbars and yellowish wash to face. Voice Utters a loud chissick call. Status Favours bare ground and short grassland, often near farms, on playing fields or in car parks.
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  • Hoopoe Upupa epops L 25-28cm. Distinctive, with long, downcurved bill. Habit of creeping along ground often makes it hard to spot. In flight, however, unmistakable thanks to bold black-and-white bird pattern and butterfly-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly pale pinkish brown with black and white barring on wings and back; white rump is seen in flight. Erectile crest of barred, pink feathers is raised in excitement. Voice Utters diagnostic hoo-poo-poo call. Status Has bred here, but best known as scarce visitor in spring and autumn.
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  • Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii Length 18cm. Familiar black, grey and white bird that pumps its tail up and down and has a distinctive call. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male in summer has mainly white underparts and black breast and upperparts; note white face, white wingbars, dark legs and bill, and white outer tail feathers. In winter, similar but throat is white and black on breast is less extensive. Adult female recalls an adult male in various seasons but back is dark grey. Juvenile and 1st winter birds have greyish upperparts, black rump, and whitish underparts; note whitish wingbars and yellowish wash to face. Voice Utters a loud chissick call. Status Favours bare ground and short grassland, often near farms, on playing fields or in car parks.
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  • Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula- Juvenile L 17-19cm. Small, dumpy coastal wader. Runs at speed before pausing and picking food item from ground. Note white wingbar in flight. Sexes are separable. Adult male in summer has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black breast band and collar. Has black and white markings on face, and white throat and nape. Legs are orange-yellow and bill is orange with dark tip. Adult female in summer is similar but black elements of plumage are duller. Winter adult is similar to summer adult but most black elements of plumage are sandy brown, and has pale supercilium. Leg and bill colours are dull. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but breast band is often incomplete. Voice Utters a soft tuu-eep call. Status Locally common. Nests mainly on sandy or shingle beached, sometimes inland. Coastal outside breeding season; numbers boosted by migrants from Europe.
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  • Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula -Juvenile L 17-19cm. Small, dumpy coastal wader. Runs at speed before pausing and picking food item from ground. Note white wingbar in flight. Sexes are separable. Adult male in summer has sandy brown upperparts and white underparts with black breast band and collar. Has black and white markings on face, and white throat and nape. Legs are orange-yellow and bill is orange with dark tip. Adult female in summer is similar but black elements of plumage are duller. Winter adult is similar to summer adult but most black elements of plumage are sandy brown, and has pale supercilium. Leg and bill colours are dull. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but breast band is often incomplete. Voice Utters a soft tuu-eep call. Status Locally common. Nests mainly on sandy or shingle beached, sometimes inland. Coastal outside breeding season; numbers boosted by migrants from Europe.
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  • Hoopoe Upupa epops L 25-28cm. Distinctive, with long, downcurved bill. Habit of creeping along ground often makes it hard to spot. In flight, however, unmistakable thanks to bold black-and-white bird pattern and butterfly-like flight. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile are mainly pale pinkish brown with black and white barring on wings and back; white rump is seen in flight. Erectile crest of barred, pink feathers is raised in excitement. Voice Utters diagnostic hoo-poo-poo call. Status Has bred here, but best known as scarce visitor in spring and autumn.
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  • Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Urocitellus richardsonii
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  • Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Urocitellus richardsonii
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  • Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Urocitellus richardsonii
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  • Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Urocitellus richardsonii
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  • Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Urocitellus richardsonii
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  • White Campion - Silene latifolia. Height to 1m. Hairy, branched perennial of disturbed ground and grassy habitats. Sometimes hybridises with Red Campion. FLOWERS are white, 5-petalled and 25-30mm across; dioecious, male flowers smaller than females (May-Oct). FRUITS have erect teeth. LEAVES are oval and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Field Bindweed - Convolvulus arvensis. Creeping or climbing Height to 3m. Familiar perennial that grows in disturbed ground and arable land; a persistent weed in the garden. Twines around other plants to assist its progress. FLOWERS are 15-30mm across, funnel-shaped and either white or pink with broad, white stripes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are arrow-shaped, 2-5cm long and long-stalked. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region, except in N Scotland.
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