Common Alder

Flower: Common Alder produces both male and female flowers on the same tree (monoecious). The male catkins are long, drooping, and yellowish-brown, typically appearing in late winter to early spring (February–March), before the leaves emerge. Female flowers are small, upright, and reddish-purple, maturing o... Fruit: By late summer, the fertilised female flowers develop into small, cone-like structures called strobiles. These woody fruits are green at first and mature to a dark brown, releasing small winged seeds that are dispersed by wind and water. The "cones" often persist on the tree through winter. Leaves: Alder leaves are rounded or oval with a distinctive notched (emarginate) tip and a serrated margin. They are a rich green and slightly sticky (glutinous) when young — hence the species name glutinosa. In autumn, they typically fall while still green, rather than turning bright colours.

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Marsh Arrowgrass

Flower: Marsh Arrowgrass produces delicate, star-like flowers arranged along a slender, upright spike that can reach 10–30 cm in height. Each flower has six narrow pinkish-purple or greenish tepals (not true petals or sepals), and yellow-tipped stamens, creating a subtle but attractive display from June to ... Fruit: The fruit is a narrow, cylindrical capsule that splits into six longitudinal segments when mature. These fruits are green at first but turn brown as they dry out. Each segment contains a single seed, and the fruits persist into late summer or early autumn, gradually releasing their contents to assis... Leaves: The leaves of Marsh Arrowgrass are long, slender, and grass-like, arising from the base of the plant. They are linear, fleshy, and grooved, typically 10–30 cm long, with a blunt tip and no visible midrib. Unlike true grasses, they are hairless and often emit a slightly aromatic or salty scent when c...

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Narrow-leaved Arrowhead

Flower: The flowers of Sagittaria subulata are small, white, and three-petaled, typically blooming in summer (June to September). They arise above the water surface on slender stalks, with separate male and female flowers often found on the same inflorescence—males higher up, females below. Each flower meas... Fruit: Fruits are small, dry achenes grouped into globular clusters after flowering. Each achene has a distinctive wing or beak that aids in water dispersal. The seeds have no known culinary or foraging use for humans but may be eaten by waterfowl and contribute to the aquatic food web. Leaves: Leaves are extremely narrow, linear, and grass-like, typically submerged or sometimes floating. Unlike the typical arrow-shaped leaves of some other Sagittaria species, this one has no pronounced blade—hence the species name subulata, meaning awl-shaped. The leaves can reach 10–30 cm long but are us...

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Canadian Arrowhead

Flower: Canadian Arrowhead (Sagittaria rigida) produces small, three-petalled white flowers with a distinctive yellow centre, typically blooming from June to September. The flowers are arranged in whorls along tall, erect stems that rise above the water’s surface. Male and female flowers are usually found o... Fruit: After successful pollination, the female flowers develop into compact clusters of small, dry fruits known as achenes. These are flattened and ribbed, sometimes with a slight wing, and are released in late summer or early autumn. The seeds may float and are dispersed by water, allowing the plant to c... Leaves: Unlike many other arrowhead species, Sagittaria rigida typically has narrow, strap-like or lance-shaped submerged or emergent leaves rather than the classic arrow-shaped foliage. This linear leaf shape helps distinguish it from related species like Sagittaria latifolia. The leaves are bright green, ...

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Bog Arum

Flower: Bog Arum produces a striking, arum-like inflorescence consisting of a creamy-white spathe that wraps around a short, yellow-green spadix. The spathe is around 4–6 cm long, and the flowering period typically occurs in late spring to early summer (May to July). The spadix is covered with tiny, bisexua... Fruit: The plant develops a cluster of bright red berries in late summer. These are fleshy, rounded, and contain several seeds. While visually attractive, the berries are toxic if ingested, containing irritating compounds that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Leaves: Bog Arum has glossy, dark green, heart- or kidney-shaped leaves with long stalks, often growing up to 15 cm long. They emerge from a creeping rhizome and often form a loose rosette. The leaves are thick and waxy, helping them survive in their typical waterlogged habitats.

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Bog Asphodel

Flower: Bog Asphodel displays striking star-shaped yellow flowers arranged in a dense, upright spike. Blooming from July to August, each flower has six pointed tepals with prominent orange stamens that give the inflorescence a fiery appearance. The flowers are highly visible in acidic bog habitats, standing... Fruit: The fruit of Bog Asphodel is a small, dry capsule that splits open when mature to release numerous fine seeds. These capsules form after flowering and persist into autumn, gradually turning brown as the plant completes its reproductive cycle. The seeds are light and adapted for wind dispersal across... Leaves: The leaves are narrow, grass-like, and arranged in a basal tuft. They are somewhat leathery with a channelled upper surface and may appear slightly bluish-green. A few smaller leaves may be found along the stem. The foliage is adapted to waterlogged, acidic soils and often grows among sphagnum mosse...

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Aunt Eliza

Flower: Aunt Eliza (Crocosmia paniculata) is notable for its tall, upright stature and showy panicles of warm orange flowers with hints of red or amber. Each flower is trumpet-shaped with six spreading lobes and appears along strongly branched stems, often forming a loose, airy display. Flowering occurs fro... Fruit: After flowering, the plant may produce small, round seed capsules which start off green and ripen to brown. These capsules contain hard, black seeds, although viable seed production is rare in the UK climate. Most spread is through underground corms rather than seed. Leaves: The leaves are tall, lush, and lanceolate—sword-shaped with a gracefully arching habit. They can grow over a metre in height and have a slightly pleated texture with prominent parallel veins. The foliage is a rich green and helps form bold vertical clumps, making Aunt Eliza one of the most striking ...

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Water Avens

Flower: The flowers of Water Avens are characterized by their nodding, reddish-purple petals. These blooms add a touch of elegance to the plant and typically appear in late spring to mid-summer. Fruit: The fruit of Water Avens consists of small, dry achenes. These one-seeded fruits develop after the flowering period and contribute to the plant's reproductive cycle. Leaves: The basal leaves of Water Avens are pinnate and possess a slightly hairy texture. These toothed leaves contribute to the overall appearance of the plant, forming a lush and green foliage.

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Awlwort

Flower: Awlwort bears tiny, white, four-petalled flowers that are typical of the cabbage family (Brassicaceae). Each flower is about 2–4 mm across, often inconspicuous and held just above the water or even submerged. Flowering typically occurs from June to August, and the delicate flowers may go unnoticed u... Fruit: The fruits are small cylindrical capsules, around 5–10 mm long, that develop from the flowers and contain numerous minute seeds. As is typical in the Brassicaceae family, these seedpods (siliques) dry and split open to release seeds that are easily dispersed by water movement. Leaves: Leaves are slender, awl-shaped (narrow and tapering to a fine point), which gives the plant its name. They are bright green, soft, and typically grow in rosettes at the base, submerged or floating just under the water surface. Each leaf is 2–6 cm long and lacks a distinct stalk (sessile). The plant ...

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Sea Barley

Flower: Sea Barley produces dense, bristly flower spikes resembling miniature barley ears, with long awns (bristle-like appendages) extending from the glumes. The flowers are wind-pollinated, typically appearing from May to July, and arranged in short, flattened spikes that break apart easily at maturity. Fruit: The fruit is a single-seeded grain (caryopsis) typical of grasses, enclosed within the husk formed by the glumes. The fruit detaches with its surrounding bristles, aiding dispersal by animals or wind. Leaves: Leaves are narrow, grey-green, and rough to the touch, with prominent sheaths. Like other barley species, the ligule is short and membranous, and the plant often grows low and tufted in habit, forming dense clumps in coastal areas.

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White Beak-sedge

Flower: White Beak-sedge (Rhynchospora alba) features small, inconspicuous flowers with pale to creamy-colored petals, typically arranged in compact clusters or spikelets at the tips of its slender, grass-like stems. The flowers are delicate and often go unnoticed due to their subtle appearance, but they ad... Fruit: The fruit of White Beak-sedge consists of small, nut-like achenes. These achenes are typically dark brown or black and are attached to the plant's stem in clusters. They have a hard, seed-like shell and are dispersed by wind or water, contributing to the plant's reproductive cycle. Leaves: The leaves of White Beak-sedge are long, slender, and grass-like in appearance. They are typically dark green and have a linear shape. These leaves grow in dense tufts and arise from the base of the plant, forming an attractive clump. The leaves are typically smooth and narrow, adding to the overall...

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Annual Beard-grass

Flower: Annual Beard-grass produces dense, silky, spike-like panicles that are pale green to purplish in colour. Flowering from June to August, the inflorescences are notably feathery due to long, hair-like awns extending from the glumes. These airy flower heads shimmer in the breeze and are easily recognis... Fruit: The fruits are tiny, dry grains (caryopses), each enclosed within husks with long awns that aid in wind dispersal. As the inflorescence matures, it becomes more fragile and may break apart, releasing seeds to colonise muddy or disturbed ground near water margins. Leaves: Leaves are flat, narrow, and bright green with a soft, floppy texture. The sheaths often feel slightly sticky or hairy near the nodes, and the ligules are large, papery, and prominent—one of the key features that help distinguish this species from similar grasses.

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Great Marsh Bedstraw

Flower: Great Marsh Bedstraw bears small, delicate white flowers arranged in loose, branched clusters known as cymes. Each flower typically has four narrow, pointed petals, giving a star-like appearance. Blooming from June to August, the flowers are modest but numerous, contributing to the plant’s overall f... Fruit: The fruits are tiny, paired nutlets that mature in late summer. They are generally hairless or minutely roughened and inconspicuous, blending in with the plant’s thin stems. These nutlets do not have hooks or barbs, so they are primarily dispersed by gravity and water movement in the damp habitats w... Leaves: Leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and arranged in whorls of 4 to 6 along the slender, sprawling stems. The leaves are typically smooth-edged and often slightly recurved. G. palustre subsp. elongatum is characterised by longer, more spreading stems than the typical species, often reaching well over a ...

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Slender Marsh Bedstraw

Flower: Galium constrictum, or Slender Marsh Bedstraw, produces small, star-like white flowers that typically bloom from June to August. Each flower has four narrow petals and is borne in loose clusters at the tips of the stems or in the leaf axils. Though tiny—usually only a few millimetres across—the flow... Fruit: The fruit consists of paired, rounded nutlets, often slightly rough or hairy to the touch. These nutlets are very small and inconspicuous, maturing in late summer. As with many Galium species, seed dispersal is aided by their hooked or bristly surfaces, which can occasionally cling to animal fur or ... Leaves: The leaves of Slender Marsh Bedstraw are narrow and linear, arranged in whorls of 4 to 6 around the stem. Each leaf is short and pointed, with a smooth or slightly rough margin. The stems are weak and sprawling, often forming low, tangled mats in damp or wet habitats. Despite its name, it is not con...

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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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