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  • HAREBELL Campanula rotundifolia (Campanulaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive and delicate, hairless perennial with wiry stems. Grows in dry, grassy places, both on calcareous and acid soils. FLOWERS are 15mm long, the corolla blue and bell-shaped with sharp, triangular teeth; nodding and borne on slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES comprise rounded ones at the base of the plant, which soon wither, and narrower stem leaves that persist while the plant is in flower. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in SW of the region.
    139852.jpg
  • EARLY MARSH-ORCHID Dactylorhiza incarnata (Orchidaceae) Height to 60cm. Orchid of damp meadows, often on calcareous soils, but sometimes on acid ground. FLOWERS are usually flesh-pink, but are creamy white or reddish purple in certain subspecies; 3-lobed lip is strongly reflexed along the mid-line, hence flower is narrow when viewed front-on. Flowers borne in spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are yellowish-green, unmarked, narrow-lanceolate and often hooded at the tip. STATUS-Local throughout the region.
    138039.jpg
  • GREATER YELLOW-RATTLE Rhinanthus angustifolius (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, semi-parasitic annual. Similar to Yellow-rattle but branched, and with subtle differences in flower structure. Grows in undisturbed grassland. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, the corolla yellow, 2-lipped with a concave dorsal surface; the 2 teeth on the upper lip are 2mm long; in spikes with triangular, toothed and yellowish green bracts (May-Sep). FRUITS are inflated capsules. LEAVES are oblong with rounded teeth. STATUS-Rare, restricted to a few scattered locations from S England to Scotland.
    136442.jpg
  • MILITARY ORCHID Orchis militaris (Height to 45cm) is a stately orchid whose individual flowers are superficially similar to those of the Monkey Orchid, differing in their shorter ‘legs’ and ‘arms’; the flower spike opens from the bottom upwards (May-Jun). Military Orchids were formerly quite widespread in the Chilterns but are now restricted to just a couple of sites, along with a location in Suffolk.
    133994.jpg
  • MILITARY ORCHID Orchis militaris (Height to 45cm) is a stately orchid whose individual flowers are superficially similar to those of the Monkey Orchid, differing in their shorter ‘legs’ and ‘arms’; the flower spike opens from the bottom upwards (May-Jun). Military Orchids were formerly quite widespread in the Chilterns but are now restricted to just a couple of sites, along with a location in Suffolk.
    133996.jpg
  • MILITARY ORCHID Orchis militaris (Height to 45cm) is a stately orchid whose individual flowers are superficially similar to those of the Monkey Orchid, differing in their shorter ‘legs’ and ‘arms’; the flower spike opens from the bottom upwards (May-Jun). Military Orchids were formerly quite widespread in the Chilterns but are now restricted to just a couple of sites, along with a location in Suffolk.
    133993.jpg
  • MILITARY ORCHID Orchis militaris (Height to 45cm) is a stately orchid whose individual flowers are superficially similar to those of the Monkey Orchid, differing in their shorter ‘legs’ and ‘arms’; the flower spike opens from the bottom upwards (May-Jun). Military Orchids were formerly quite widespread in the Chilterns but are now restricted to just a couple of sites, along with a location in Suffolk.
    133992.jpg
  • American Skunk Cabbage Lysichiton americanus Height to 15cm Perennial member of Arum family. Smells strongly of ‘skunk’ when in flower. Leaves are up to 80cm long, broad and inrolled at first. Flower comprise a bright yellow spathe and spike-like green spadix. Status Introduced to Britain from North America (mainly as a naturalised garden escape). Now widespread but local in damp woodland.
    133528.jpg
  • GREY FIELD-SPEEDWELL Veronica polita (Scrophulariaceae) Prostrate. Straggling, hairy and branched perennial. Similar to Common Field-speedwell; note differences in flower and leaf colour. Grows in cultivated ground, often on chalky soil. FLOWERS are 8-12mm across, the corolla 4-lobed and entirely blue; solitary and borne on stalks arising from leaf axils (Mar-Nov). FRUITS are flattened and broad capsules with rounded lobes. LEAVES are grey-green, oval, deeply toothed and paired. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common throughout the region, least so in the N.
    132039.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    132030.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.
    131995.jpg
  • MARSH CUDWEED Gnaphalium uliginosum (Asteraceae) Height to 20cm. Greyish green, woolly and branched annual that grows in damp, disturbed ground and on tracks. FLOWERS are borne in unstalked heads, 3-4mm long, comprising yellow disc florets and brown bracts; in clusters (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are narrow and woolly on both sides, the top ones surrounding, sometimes over-topping, the flower heads. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout the region.
    131875.jpg
  • GREEN-FLOWERED HELLEBORINE Epipactis phyllanthes (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Slender, upright perennial with rather insignificant-looking flowers. Grows in shady woods on calcareous soils, and sometimes on dunes. FLOWERS comprise yellowish-green sepals and petals; flowers are pendent, invariably do not open fully and are borne in open spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow-ovate and strongly veined. STATUS-Very local in S England and Wales; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131811.jpg
  • GREEN-FLOWERED HELLEBORINE Epipactis phyllanthes (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Slender, upright perennial with rather insignificant-looking flowers. Grows in shady woods on calcareous soils, and sometimes on dunes. FLOWERS comprise yellowish-green sepals and petals; flowers are pendent, invariably do not open fully and are borne in open spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow-ovate and strongly veined. STATUS-Very local in S England and Wales; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    131808.jpg
  • 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.
    131263.jpg
  • SLENDER THISTLE Carduus tenuiflorus (Asteraceae) Height to 1m. Upright, greyish biennial. Similar to Welted Thistle but stems are spiny-winged right up to the flower heads and extremely cottony. Grows in dry grassland, often near the sea. FLOWERS are borne in egg-shaped heads, 5-10mm across, with pinkish red florets; in dense, terminal clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS have unbranched hairs. LEAVES are pinnate, spiny and cottony below. STATUS-Locally common around coasts, except N.
    131191.jpg
  • EARLY MARSH-ORCHID Dactylorhiza incarnata (Orchidaceae) Height to 60cm. Orchid of damp meadows, often on calcareous soils, but sometimes on acid ground. FLOWERS are usually flesh-pink, but are creamy white or reddish purple in certain subspecies; 3-lobed lip is strongly reflexed along the mid-line, hence flower is narrow when viewed front-on. Flowers borne in spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are yellowish-green, unmarked, narrow-lanceolate and often hooded at the tip. STATUS-Local throughout the region.
    131032.jpg
  • EARLY MARSH-ORCHID Dactylorhiza incarnata (Orchidaceae) Height to 60cm. Orchid of damp meadows, often on calcareous soils, but sometimes on acid ground. FLOWERS are usually flesh-pink, but are creamy white or reddish purple in certain subspecies; 3-lobed lip is strongly reflexed along the mid-line, hence flower is narrow when viewed front-on. Flowers borne in spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are yellowish-green, unmarked, narrow-lanceolate and often hooded at the tip. STATUS-Local throughout the region.
    131031.jpg
  • GRASS VETCHLING Lathyrus nissolia (Fabaceae) Height to 90cm. Upright, hairless or slightly downy perennial. Easily overlooked when not in flower, in its favoured grassy habitat. FLOWERS are 18mm long and crimson; solitary or paired on long, slender stalks (May-Jul). FRUITS are narrow pods. LEAVES reduced to 1 pair of narrow, extremely grass-like leaflets. STATUS-Locally common in SE England.
    131025.jpg
  • SWORD-LEAVED HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera longifolia (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. An elegant orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils. Superficially similar to White Helleborine. FLOWERS are 20mm long, pure white, bell-shaped and open more fully than those of White Helleborine; each has a leafy bract, and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS form at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are long and narrow (narrower than White Helleborine), the largest at the base. STATUS-Local and scarce, least so in SE England where it occurs in scattered colonies.
    130926.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    130355.jpg
  • SAND CROCUS Romulea columnae (Height to 1cm) is a rare, low-growing perennial with curly, basal leaves, up to 10cm long, and a star-shaped flower, 1cm across, that opens only in sunshine (Mar-May). Sand Crocus grows in short turf at Dawlish Warren in Devon, and is also found on the Channel Islands.
    129817.jpg
  • FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    128030.jpg
  • FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    127994.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    127732.jpg
  • CARLINE THISTLE Carlina vulgaris (Asteraceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, branched or unbranched biennial, armed with stiff spines. Grows in dry calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are borne in golden brown, rayless heads, 15-40mm across, surrounded by spreading, straw-coloured bracts; carried in clusters (Jul-Sep); dead flower heads persist. FRUITS have feathery pappus hairs. LEAVES are oblong with wavy margins and spiny lobes; lower leaves are downy. STATUS-Locally common.
    122284.jpg
  • GREATER YELLOW-RATTLE Rhinanthus angustifolius (Scrophulariaceae)  Height to 60cm. Upright, semi-parasitic annual. Similar to Yellow-rattle but branched, and with subtle differences in flower structure. Grows in undisturbed grassland. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, the corolla yellow, 2-lipped with a concave dorsal surface; the 2 teeth on the upper lip are 2mm long; in spikes with triangular, toothed and yellowish green bracts (May-Sep). FRUITS are inflated capsules. LEAVES are oblong with rounded teeth. STATUS-Rare, restricted to a few scattered locations from S England to Scotland.
    117065.jpg
  • MOUNTAIN EVERLASTING Antennaria dioica (Asteraceae) Height to 20cm. Downy perennial with rooting runners and leaf rosettes from which flower stems arise. Grows on upland heaths and moors. FLOWERS in compact, woolly, separate-sex heads, borne in umbel-like clusters; male heads 6mm across with white-tipped bracts, female heads 12mm across with pink-tipped bracts (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are green and hairless above, downy below. STATUS-Locally common in upland and N regions.
    116601.jpg
  • AUTUMN LADY’S-TRESSES Spiranthes spiralis (Orchidaceae) Height to 15cm<br />
Charming little orchid that is easy to overlook until you have got your eye in. Grows in short, dry grassland, both inland and on coastal turf and dunes. FLOWERS are pure white and both the petals and sepals are downy; borne in a distinct spiral up the grey-green stem (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped and downy. LEAVES appear as a basal rosette of oval leaves that wither long before the flower stem appears.
    104023.jpg
  • 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.
    144469.jpg
  • HAREBELL Campanula rotundifolia (Campanulaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive and delicate, hairless perennial with wiry stems. Grows in dry, grassy places, both on calcareous and acid soils. FLOWERS are 15mm long, the corolla blue and bell-shaped with sharp, triangular teeth; nodding and borne on slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES comprise rounded ones at the base of the plant, which soon wither, and narrower stem leaves that persist while the plant is in flower. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in SW of the region.
    144501.jpg
  • HAREBELL Campanula rotundifolia (Campanulaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive and delicate, hairless perennial with wiry stems. Grows in dry, grassy places, both on calcareous and acid soils. FLOWERS are 15mm long, the corolla blue and bell-shaped with sharp, triangular teeth; nodding and borne on slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES comprise rounded ones at the base of the plant, which soon wither, and narrower stem leaves that persist while the plant is in flower. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in SW of the region.
    144502.jpg
  • ONE-FLOWERED WINTERGREEN (Moneses uniflora) Height to 20cm. An easily overlooked plant, growing as it does in the dappled light of the woodland floor. The leaves are ovate and the solitary flower is white, 15-20mm across and nodding, with a projecting style (June-Aug). Found in a few locations in ancient pine forests on the fringes of the Scottish Highlands.
    144572.jpg
  • EARLY PURPLE ORCHID Orchis mascula (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive perennial that grows in woodland, scrub and grassland, doing especially well on neutral or calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are pinkish purple, with a 3-lobed lower lip, 8-12mm long, and a long spur; borne in tall spikes (Apr-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are glossy and dark green with dark spots; these appear first as a rosette, from January onwards, from which the flower stalk arises later in spring.  STATUS-Widespread and locally common throughout much of the region.
    145772.jpg
  • MONKEY ORCHID Orchis simia (Height to 45cm) has flowers that are fancifully monkey-like. They are borne in cylindrical heads; unlike most other orchids, the flowers open in succession from the top downwards (May-Jun). The Monkey Orchid grows at a few locations in Oxfordshire, with further isolated sites in Kent and Yorkshire.
    156662.jpg
  • GREEN-FLOWERED HELLEBORINE Epipactis phyllanthes (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Slender, upright perennial with rather insignificant-looking flowers. Grows in shady woods on calcareous soils, and sometimes on dunes. FLOWERS comprise yellowish-green sepals and petals; flowers are pendent, invariably do not open fully and are borne in open spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow-ovate and strongly veined. STATUS-Very local in S England and Wales; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    156641.jpg
  • GREEN-FLOWERED HELLEBORINE Epipactis phyllanthes (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Slender, upright perennial with rather insignificant-looking flowers. Grows in shady woods on calcareous soils, and sometimes on dunes. FLOWERS comprise yellowish-green sepals and petals; flowers are pendent, invariably do not open fully and are borne in open spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow-ovate and strongly veined. STATUS-Very local in S England and Wales; scarce or absent elsewhere.
    156640.jpg
  • DAISY Bellis perennis (Asteraceae) Height less than 10cm<br />
Familiar, downy perennial found growing in lawns and other areas of short grass. FLOWERS are borne in solitary heads, 15-25mm across, on slender stems; they comprise yellow disc florets and white (often faintly crimson-tipped) ray florets (Mar-Oct). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and form prostrate rosettes from which flower stalks arise.
    156590.jpg
  • DAISY Bellis perennis (Asteraceae) Height less than 10cm<br />
Familiar, downy perennial found growing in lawns and other areas of short grass. FLOWERS are borne in solitary heads, 15-25mm across, on slender stems; they comprise yellow disc florets and white (often faintly crimson-tipped) ray florets (Mar-Oct). FRUITS are achenes. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and form prostrate rosettes from which flower stalks arise.
    156340.jpg
  • WILD MARJORAM Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Downy and tufted perennial. The plant (mainly the leaves) has a pleasantly aromatic smell, familiar to lovers of culinary herbs and the stems are often reddish. Grows in dry grassland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are maroon when in bud but 6-8mm long and pinkish purple when flowering; borne in dense, terminal clusters that also include purplish bracts (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval, pointed and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common the S but scarce elsewhere.
    155598.jpg
  • FEN ORCHID Liparis loeselii (Height to 20cm) has rather curious yellow flowers with narrow, spreading perianth segments; the flowers are borne in spikes (Jun-Jul) that arise from the cup-like arrangement comprising the basal pair of leaves. Fen Orchid grows in a few fen locations in Norfolk, with additional sites in S Wales and N Devon.
    142355.jpg
  • FEN ORCHID Liparis loeselii (Height to 20cm) has rather curious yellow flowers with narrow, spreading perianth segments; the flowers are borne in spikes (Jun-Jul) that arise from the cup-like arrangement comprising the basal pair of leaves. Fen Orchid grows in a few fen locations in Norfolk, with additional sites in S Wales and N Devon.
    142356.jpg
  • TOOTHWORT Lathraea squamaria (Orobanchaceae) Height to 25cm. Bizarre perennial that is entirely parasitic on the roots of woody shrubs, especially Hazel. Grows in woodlands, invariably on base-rich soils. FLOWERS are 15-18mm long, tubular and pinkish lilac to creamy white; borne in 1-sided spikes (Apr-May). FRUITS are capsules, contained within the dead flower. LEAVES are scale-like, alternate and clasping. STATUS-Widespread but only locally common; absent N Scotland and W Ireland.
    140487.jpg
  • OXTONGUE BROOMRAPE Orobanche artemisiae-campestris (Orobanchaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, unbranched annual that usually has a purplish-tinged stem. Whole plant lacks chlorophyll and is entirely parasitic on the roots of Hawkweed Oxtongue Picris hieracioides. Found in calcareous grassland and on sea cliffs. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, the corolla pinkish yellow with purple veins, tubular with smoothly curved dorsal surface, and 2-lipped; filmaents are hairy at base. Flowers borne in open, upright spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Very rare. S England only, from cliffs in Kent and Sussex, to Isle of Wight.
    140026.jpg
  • OXTONGUE BROOMRAPE Orobanche artemisiae-campestris (Orobanchaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright, unbranched annual that usually has a purplish-tinged stem. Whole plant lacks chlorophyll and is entirely parasitic on the roots of Hawkweed Oxtongue Picris hieracioides. Found in calcareous grassland and on sea cliffs. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, the corolla pinkish yellow with purple veins, tubular with smoothly curved dorsal surface, and 2-lipped; filmaents are hairy at base. Flowers borne in open, upright spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped capsules, concealed by the dead flowers. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Very rare. S England only, from cliffs in Kent and Sussex, to Isle of Wight.
    140025.jpg
  • CREEPING LADY’S-TRESSES Goodyera repens (Orchidaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial with both creeping stems and upright, flowering stalks. Grows in mature and undisturbed conifer woodland (mainly Scots Pine). FLOWERS are white, slightly sticky and do not open fully; arranged in a spiral fashion, in open spikes (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are oval, stalked, net-veined and evergreen. STATUS-Locally common only in Scotland and N England; rare in N Norfolk.
    139854.jpg
  • HAREBELL Campanula rotundifolia (Campanulaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive and delicate, hairless perennial with wiry stems. Grows in dry, grassy places, both on calcareous and acid soils. FLOWERS are 15mm long, the corolla blue and bell-shaped with sharp, triangular teeth; nodding and borne on slender stalks (Jul-Oct). FRUITS are dry capsules. LEAVES comprise rounded ones at the base of the plant, which soon wither, and narrower stem leaves that persist while the plant is in flower. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in SW of the region.
    139851.jpg
  • MAY LILY Maianthemum bifolium (Liliaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Attractive perennial with a creeping rhizome and upright stalks bearing a single pair of leaves and the flower spike. Grows in mature woodlands, often on acid soils. FLOWERS are 2-5mm across, white and 4-parted; borne in spikes, 3-4cm long (May-Jun). FRUITS are red berries although these are produced only rarely. LEAVES are heart-shaped and shiny, the lower one long-stalked. STATUS-Local, N England only.
    137926.jpg
  • MAY LILY Maianthemum bifolium (Liliaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Attractive perennial with a creeping rhizome and upright stalks bearing a single pair of leaves and the flower spike. Grows in mature woodlands, often on acid soils. FLOWERS are 2-5mm across, white and 4-parted; borne in spikes, 3-4cm long (May-Jun). FRUITS are red berries although these are produced only rarely. LEAVES are heart-shaped and shiny, the lower one long-stalked. STATUS-Local, N England only.
    137923.jpg
  • EARLY MARSH-ORCHID Dactylorhiza incarnata (Orchidaceae) Height to 60cm. Orchid of damp meadows, often on calcareous soils, but sometimes on acid ground. FLOWERS are usually flesh-pink, but are creamy white or reddish purple in certain subspecies; 3-lobed lip is strongly reflexed along the mid-line, hence flower is narrow when viewed front-on. Flowers borne in spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are yellowish-green, unmarked, narrow-lanceolate and often hooded at the tip. STATUS-Local throughout the region.
    137913.jpg
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