Common Agrimony

Flower: The flowers of Common Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) found in the UK are small and yellow, arranged in elongated spikes on slender stems. Each individual flower consists of five petals and has a delicate, cup-shaped appearance. The flowers bloom in clusters and are known for their bright, cheerful y... Fruit: The fruit of Common Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) found in the UK is composed of small, burr-like structures containing seeds. These fruits typically develop after the flowering period. They have a rough or prickly exterior, designed with hooks that easily attach to fur or clothing, aiding in the d... Leaves: The leaves of Common Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) found in the UK are compound and alternately arranged along the stem. Each leaf is composed of smaller leaflets arranged in a feather-like or pinnate pattern. The leaflets are serrated along the edges, providing a distinctive appearance. The surfac...

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Common Alder

Flower: Yellow and pendulous (male catkins). Green and oval (female catkins). Male and female catkins present on same tree, and grouped in clusters of 3-8 on each stalk. Fruit: In winter the catkins turn into hard, dark, cone-like fruit which eventually release the seeds. Leaves: Deciduous. Round, dark green, leathery, smooth, serrated edges.

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Grey Alder

Flower: Grey Alder produces unisexual catkins—the male catkins are long, pendulous, and yellowish-green, appearing before or with the leaves in early spring, while the female catkins are smaller, upright, and initially green, later turning brown as they mature. The flowers lack petals and rely on wind polli... Fruit: The female catkins mature into small, woody, cone-like structures called strobiles, about 2–3 cm long, which open to release tiny winged seeds in late autumn or winter. These “cones” persist on the tree through winter. Leaves: The leaves are oval to lance-shaped, with a rounded or slightly heart-shaped base, and have a finely serrated margin. They are a pale green above and lighter below, often with fine hairs on the underside.

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Wild Angelica

Flower: Wild Angelica blooms from July to September, displaying dome-shaped umbels of tiny, pale pinkish-white to purplish-white flowers. Each umbel can contain dozens of small five-petalled flowers, supported by purple-tinged stems. The flowers are particularly attractive to a wide range of insects, includ... Fruit: Following flowering, the plant produces oblong, flattened fruits that are slightly winged and ribbed. These dry, aromatic fruits develop in small clusters and turn from green to brown as they ripen. Each fruit splits in two when mature, releasing seeds that are dispersed by wind and water. The seeds... Leaves: The leaves of Wild Angelica are large, divided, and fern-like in appearance, with toothed edges and a somewhat glossy surface. They grow alternately along the thick, hollow stem, which often has a purple hue. The lower leaves are especially large, with long stalks and multiple leaflets, while the up...

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Garden Angelica

Flower: Yellowish-green flowers, appearing in rounded umbels measuring 5 to 7cm across. 5 stamens per flower. Pollinated by insects. Fruit: Oval, flattened fruits with corky wings, measuring 6 to 8mm long. The seeds ripen in August and September. Leaves: An erect perennial with 2 to 3-pinnate leaves. Each leaf measure up to 60cm (24 inches) in length. Hollow, green stems (occasionally purple). Biennial.

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Asarabacca

Flower: Pale yellowish-green bell-shaped flowers. No petals. 3 maroon sepals. The flowers are usually hidden beneath the leaves. 12 stamens. Pollinated by flies. Fruit: A 6-parted capsule. Leaves: The leathery, dark green leaves are glossy and kidney-shaped. The leaves measure about 3 inches (7.5cm) across. Evergreen perennial. Asarabacca has a preference for growing in Beech woodland.

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Scottish Asphodel

Flower: Small, greenish-white or yellowish-white flowers in a short but dense terminal spike. 6 petals (3 are actually sepals). 6 stamens. Fruit: A roundish, 3-parted, greyish capsule, up to 3mm long. The seeds are tiny. Leaves: Flattened, hairless, iris-like leaves. Most leaves are basal leaves. They are stalkless and toothless. Up to 3 alternate stem leaves. The leaves are 3 to 7-veined. The erect stems are flat and hairless. Perennial.

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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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Himalayan Balsam

Flower: Himalayan Balsam bears large, helmet-shaped flowers ranging in colour from pale pink to deep purplish-pink, with some white-flowered forms occasionally found. Blooming from June to October, the flowers have a distinctive spur at the rear and are pollinated primarily by bees, which are attracted by t... Fruit: The fruit is a slender, green capsule that, like other Impatiens species, ejects seeds explosively when touched—a mechanism known as ballistic seed dispersal. Each capsule contains around 4–16 seeds, which can be launched several metres away. This highly effective dispersal method allows the species... Leaves: Leaves are lance-shaped with sharply serrated edges and grow in whorls of three or sometimes opposite each other. They are dark green, slightly glossy, and have a prominent central vein. Stems are tall (often over 2 metres), reddish, hollow, and succulent, allowing the plant to grow quickly in moist...

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Orange Balsam

Flower: Orange Balsam produces distinctive, bright orange flowers with reddish speckles and a curved nectar spur. Blooming from July to October, the flowers are shaped like small snapdragons or slippers and are particularly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. Each flower hangs from a slender st... Fruit: The fruit of Orange Balsam is a narrow, green capsule that, when mature, explosively ejects its seeds upon touch—hence the plant's other common name, "Touch-me-not." This ballistic seed dispersal is an effective strategy for spreading quickly and colonising moist, shady areas. The seeds are small, b... Leaves: Leaves are oval to lance-shaped with toothed edges and are arranged alternately along the stem. They are a soft green, often tinged slightly reddish, and have a smooth texture with prominent veins. The stems are succulent and slightly translucent, helping the plant retain moisture in its favoured da...

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Touch-me-not Balsam

Flower: Touch-me-not Balsam showcases delicate, pale yellow to orange flowers with vivid red or purple spots, creating a charming spectacle in the British countryside. These blossoms, adorned with their distinct markings, gently sway in the breeze, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies during the... Fruit: The fruit of Touch-me-not Balsam is comprised of elongated seed pods that develop following the flowering period. These pods, known as capsules, are characteristically slender and cylindrical, gradually maturing to a pale green or brown hue. Upon reaching maturity, the pods exhibit a remarkable mech... Leaves: The leaves of Touch-me-not Balsam are broadly oval in shape and feature serrated edges, imparting a distinctive appearance to this native British plant. These verdant foliage adornments are arranged alternately along the stems, creating a lush canopy of greenery in shaded woodlands, damp meadows, an...

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Small Balsam

Flower: Small Balsam features delicate pale yellow blossoms with a distinctive spurred shape. These flowers, native to the UK, thrive in damp woodland areas, showcasing their charming allure along riverbanks and streamsides. 5 stamens. Pollinated by insects. Fruit: The fruit of Small Balsam, native to the UK, is a small, elongated capsule that bursts open when touched, dispersing its seeds. This capsule is typically green in color and contains numerous seeds, contributing to the plant's prolific spread in woodland habitats across the country. Leaves: The leaves of Small Balsam, native to the UK, are ovate to lanceolate in shape, with serrated edges. They are typically a vibrant green colour and have a slightly glossy appearance. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem and often have a reddish tint on the undersides.

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Gagnepain's Barberry

Flower: Golden yellow flowers are produced in clusters of about 5 or 6 (but sometimes up to 12), borne on short shoots. Pollinated by insects. Fruit: Waxy, bluish-black, oblong fruit. 1cm in length. The seeds ripen in September and October. Leaves: A thorny shrub with simple, lanceolate, toothed leaves. The thorns on the branches are 3-spined. The teeth on the leaf margins are tipped by short spines too. Chinese Barberry (Berberis julianae) is similar in appearance but that has glossy, wider leaves and fluted branches. The leaves of Gagnepain'...

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Spiny Bearsbreech

Flower: Spiny Bearsbreech is known for its striking, architectural flowers. The blossoms are characterized by their tall, spiky inflorescences, which feature hood-like bracts with spiky tips. The individual flowers are tubular and emerge from these bracts, forming a dense, elongated spike. The color of the ... Fruit: Spiny Bearsbreech does not produce typical fleshy fruits. Instead, it reproduces through seeds. After the flowering period, the plant forms seed capsules that contain the seeds. These capsules are dry and split open when mature, releasing the seeds. The seeds are small and are often dispersed by win... Leaves: The leaves of Spiny Bearsbreech are large, deeply lobed, and glossy green in colour. Each leaf typically has several sharply toothed segments that give them a distinctive, spiky appearance. The lobes are deeply cut and have spiny tips, contributing to the plant's name. The overall leaf structure is ...

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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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