Fen Bedstraw

Flower: Fen Bedstraw bears small, white, four-petalled flowers arranged in loose, open clusters. Flowering from June to September, each flower is typically 2–3 mm across and shaped like a cross, similar to Marsh Bedstraw (Galium palustre), but often with a slightly creamier or duller white tone. The flowers... Fruit: Its fruits are a pair of small, smooth nutlets—distinctively hairless, which helps distinguish it from the rough, bristly fruits of G. palustre. The nutlets are not sticky or hooked, so they are less likely to cling to animals. They are dispersed mainly by water movement in the fen and wet meadow en... Leaves: Leaves are narrow, pointed, and arranged in whorls of six to eight along the stems. They are dark green with tiny hairs along the edges and midrib, helping separate it from similar species. The stems are square in cross-section and weak, often sprawling among surrounding vegetation. Unlike the sligh...

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Common Bent

Flower: Common Bent is a fine-textured grass that produces delicate, open flower panicles from June to September. The flowering heads are airy and branched, with purplish to greenish spikelets that shimmer in the breeze. Each tiny floret contains a single stamen and ovary, and although individually inconspi... Fruit: The fruit of Agrostis capillaris is a small, dry grain known as a caryopsis, like other grasses. These tiny seeds are enclosed in glumes and lemmas and ripen in late summer. While they are not showy, they are important as a food source for small birds and insects, and the grass reproduces both by se... Leaves: The leaves are fine, narrow, and rolled inward, typically less than 3 mm wide. They are smooth, bright green, and grow alternately along slender stems. The ligule (where the leaf joins the stem) is short and blunt—a useful feature in identifying this species. Common Bent forms a dense, low-growing t...

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Creeping Buttercup

Flower: Creeping Buttercup is a common, low-growing wildflower with shiny yellow flowers, typically 2–3 cm across. Each flower has five rounded petals and a central cluster of stamens, blooming between May and September. The flowers sit atop erect stems that rise above the surrounding foliage. Like other bu... Fruit: Following pollination, the plant produces a small, rounded cluster of dry fruits known as achenes. These develop into hard, seed-like structures that are slightly flattened and tipped with a tiny beak. The fruits are dispersed mainly by animals and water movement. Though not of interest to foragers,... Leaves: Creeping Buttercup’s leaves are typically divided into three lobed leaflets with toothed edges. They are a medium green and can appear slightly glossy or hairy. The middle leaflet usually has a longer stalk than the two side ones, which helps distinguish it from other buttercup species. The plant sp...

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Hairy Buttercup

Flower: The bright yellow flowers of Ranunculus sardous are typically 1.5 to 2 cm across, with five slightly rounded petals. Blooming from April to July, they resemble other buttercups but can be distinguished by their often ruffled appearance and numerous stamens. The sepals tend to be reflexed, and the fl... Fruit: The fruit is a cluster of achenes, each small and slightly flattened, with a curved beak. These achenes form a globe-shaped head that dries and splits open as it matures, releasing the seeds. Leaves: Leaves are deeply lobed and hairy, particularly on the lower part of the plant. The basal leaves are rounded with three main lobes, while upper leaves are more divided. The hairs give the foliage a rough, bristly texture, which helps distinguish it from similar buttercup species.

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Common Cat's-ear

Flower: Common Cat’s-ear produces bright yellow, dandelion-like flower heads that bloom from late spring through autumn. Each flower is composed of many strap-shaped ray florets and is borne singly atop a long, leafless, and often branched stem covered in fine hairs. The flower heads close at night or durin... Fruit: After flowering, Common Cat's-ear forms characteristic seed heads resembling those of dandelions — spherical clusters of tiny seeds, each attached to a feathery pappus. This structure allows the seeds to be easily dispersed by wind, aiding the plant’s spread across a variety of open habitats. Leaves: The plant forms a basal rosette of grey-green, hairy leaves that are deeply lobed or toothed and often wavy along the edges. Unlike true dandelions, the leaves and stems of Cat’s-ear are more densely covered in hairs, and the stems are often branched with multiple flower heads.

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Lesser Celandine

Flower: Lesser Celandine is one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom in spring, often appearing as early as February. Its bright, glossy yellow flowers resemble small buttercups and typically have 8–12 narrow petals, though double forms exist. The blooms open in sunlight and close in shade or cloudy weather... Fruit: The plant produces small, dry, one-seeded fruits called achenes, although many populations reproduce more effectively through bulbils and tubers rather than seeds. These tubers, found on roots and leaf axils, enable the plant to spread and reappear each spring, often in large colonies. Leaves: Lesser Celandine leaves are heart- or kidney-shaped with a waxy surface and a dark green colour, often with light or purplish markings. The leaves form a low rosette and emerge well before the flowers, sometimes carpeting the ground before many other plants awaken. They begin to die back completely ...

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Roman Chamomile

Flower: Roman Chamomile features classic daisy-like flower heads, typically 2–3 cm wide, with bright white ray florets encircling a central, domed yellow disc. The flowers bloom from June to September and sit singly atop slender, erect stems. Unlike its taller relative, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile has... Fruit: The fruit is a tiny, dry, ribbed achene, yellowish-brown in colour and lacking a pappus. These small seeds ripen in late summer to early autumn and rely on gravity or incidental movement for dispersal. Seed production can be prolific, especially in well-established patches. Leaves: Leaves are finely divided, feathery, and soft to the touch, giving the plant a delicate, fern-like appearance. Arranged alternately on the stems, the foliage is bright green and highly aromatic, contributing both texture and fragrance to the plant. The leaves persist close to the ground, particularl...

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Sicilian Chamomile

Flower: Sicilian Chamomile produces daisy-like flower heads with white ray florets surrounding a yellow central disc. Each flower is around 2–3 cm across, and blooms are typically abundant and long-lasting, appearing from late spring through summer (May to August). The flower heads resemble those of true ch... Fruit: The fruit is a small, dry achene, typical of the daisy family (Asteraceae). These achenes are ribbed and without a pappus, and they mature after flowering, although self-seeding is usually limited in colder climates. Leaves: The leaves are finely divided, feathery, and silvery-green, forming dense, low-growing mats. They are deeply pinnatisect (divided almost to the midrib) and often appear downy or woolly, especially when young. This foliage gives the plant an attractive texture and a soft, silver-toned look, especiall...

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Lesser Chickweed

Flower: Lesser Chickweed bears tiny, star-like flowers from March to May. Each flower is pale greenish-white and usually has five deeply notched petals that can appear as ten. However, in Stellaria pallida, the petals are often so reduced that the flowers may look petal-less to the naked eye. The flowers ar... Fruit: The fruit is a slender, cylindrical capsule containing several small seeds. As with other chickweeds, the capsule splits open at the tip to release the seeds, aiding in self-seeding and rapid spread in suitable habitats. The seeds are minute and brown, well adapted for colonising disturbed or bare g... Leaves: The leaves are small, oval to lanceolate, and arranged oppositely along weak, sprawling stems. Unlike Common Chickweed (Stellaria media), the leaves of S. pallida are more slender and narrower at the base, and the plant is generally more delicate. The stems lack the line of fine hairs seen in S. med...

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Creeping Cinquefoil

Flower: Creeping Cinquefoil produces bright yellow, five-petalled flowers that resemble small buttercups. Each flower is around 2–3 cm wide and blooms singly on long stalks rising from the leaf axils. The petals are rounded and slightly heart-shaped, with a small gap between each one. Flowering occurs from ... Fruit: After flowering, the plant forms small, dry fruits known as achenes. These are clustered into a rounded head, turning brown as they mature. The fruits are not adapted for wind dispersal but may fall close to the parent plant or be carried short distances by animals or water movement. Despite their m... Leaves: The leaves of Creeping Cinquefoil are palmately divided into five toothed leaflets, giving the plant its name — "cinquefoil" meaning "five-leaved." The leaflets are hairy and have a rough texture, with prominent veins and serrated edges. Leaves are borne on long stalks and arise alternately along th...

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Red Clover

Flower: Red Clover displays rounded flower heads composed of numerous tubular florets that range in color from pinkish-red to purple. Blooming mainly from May to September, these flower heads often appear singly at the ends of stems. They are rich in nectar and are a vital food source for bees, butterflies,... Fruit: The fruit of Red Clover is a small, pod-like structure that develops within the withered flower head. Each pod usually contains one or two tiny, oval seeds, yellowish to brown in color. The seeds are lightweight and dispersed by animals, wind, and mowing. Red Clover readily self-seeds, contributing ... Leaves: Red Clover has trifoliate (three-part) leaves with oval leaflets and faint, whitish chevron markings, although these markings are sometimes less distinct than in White Clover. The leaflets are often slightly hairy and sit alternately along the stem. Red Clover typically grows taller than White Clove...

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White Clover

Flower: White Clover produces dense, rounded flower heads made up of many small, tubular florets that range in color from pure white to creamy pink. These flowers typically bloom from late spring through summer, attracting a wide variety of pollinators, especially honeybees and bumblebees, which rely on the... Fruit: Following pollination, White Clover forms small seed pods that contain one to two tiny, kidney-shaped seeds. These pods mature quickly and usually remain close to the ground within the flower head cluster. The seeds are dispersed naturally through various means including wind, animals, and human act... Leaves: The leaves of White Clover are easily identifiable by their classic trifoliate shape, each leaflet typically sporting a light, crescent-shaped mark near the base. The leaflets have a smooth, slightly waxy surface which helps retain moisture. This hardy foliage provides ground cover that protects soi...

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Alsike Clover

Flower: Alsike Clover bears globular flower heads made up of numerous small florets that range from pale pink to white, often with a pink flush at the base. Blooming from June to September, the flower heads are typically 1–2 cm wide and held on long, slender stalks above the foliage. It attracts a variety o... Fruit: The fruit is a small, pod-like structure that remains hidden within the withered flower head. Each pod contains a few tiny, yellowish to brown seeds. As the flower head dries, the seeds are gradually released and may be scattered by wind, rain, or animals. It also self-seeds readily and can establis... Leaves: The leaves are trifoliate (made up of three leaflets), with each leaflet oval to slightly oblong in shape. Unlike White Clover (Trifolium repens), Alsike Clover leaves usually lack the pale crescent-shaped markings. The leaflets are smooth-edged or very finely toothed, and the plant has a slightly u...

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Strawberry Clover

Flower: Flowerheads are densely packed with pink or light red, stalkless pea-shaped flowers. The flowers turn darker throughout the growing season. Fruit: The fruit of Strawberry clover is a distinctive and small dry indehiscent achene, resembling a tiny strawberry. The achene is typically red or pink, contributing to the plant's common name. It contains seeds and is borne in clusters, adding a decorative element to the overall appearance of the plant... Leaves: A perennial herb with compound serrated leaves. 3 leaflets. Similar to White Clover but smaller and with thicker bent back veins. The leaves are long-stalked and leaf tips are notched.

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Birdsfoot Clover

Flower: Birdsfoot Clover bears small, delicate pea-like flowers, typically pale pink to purple, occasionally with yellowish tones. These are arranged in tight, rounded heads of 2 to 6 flowers on long stalks and appear from May to August. Each flower has a characteristic banner, wings, and keel, consistent w... Fruit: The fruit is a narrow, cylindrical pod that curves slightly and resembles a bird’s foot—hence the common name. These pods typically contain several small seeds and dry to a brown colour as they mature. The seedpods split open when ripe, helping to disperse the seeds naturally. Leaves: The leaves are trifoliate, meaning each is made up of three rounded to slightly oblong leaflets. They are usually hairless, light green, and have smooth or faintly toothed edges. The leaflets often have a subtle central pale crescent, and the plant grows low to the ground with a spreading habit.

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