Sea Arrowgrass

Flower: Sea Arrowgrass produces tiny greenish or purplish flowers arranged along a long, narrow spike that rises well above the surrounding vegetation. Each flower has six petal-like segments and appears from June to August. While not especially showy, the flowers are easily identified by their dense, uprig... Fruit: The plant forms small, oval fruits that are ribbed and divided into six segments. These fruits develop along the same spike where the flowers were borne, maturing through late summer. When dry, they split apart to release seeds. The fruits can persist for some time on the plant and contribute to its... Leaves: Leaves of Sea Arrowgrass are narrow, fleshy, and cylindrical, resembling rushes. They are typically grooved along their length and can emit a slightly salty or grassy taste when chewed. The leaves are usually found in a basal rosette and are well adapted to saline environments such as saltmarshes, c...

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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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Sea Aster

Flower: The Sea Aster graces the coastal landscapes of the United Kingdom with its stunning flowers, showcasing a kaleidoscope of hues, including soft pinks, purples, and lavenders. Blooming from late summer through early autumn, these vibrant flowers contribute to the picturesque beauty of shorelines. The ... Fruit: The Sea Aster produces small, inconspicuous fruits that follow the blooming period. These fruits, often referred to as achenes, possess a subtle yet essential role in the plant's reproductive cycle. Enclosed within the dried flower head, the achenes are dispersed through various mechanisms, aiding i... Leaves: The Sea Aster boasts leaves that exhibit a diversity of shapes, ranging from lanceolate to elliptical, contributing to its overall visual allure. These resilient leaves, with their distinctive green hues, form a dense foliage that plays a vital role in stabilizing coastal soils and preventing erosio...

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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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Sea Beet

Flower: Sea Beet bears small, inconspicuous greenish flowers. These flowers are typically modest in size and bloom from late spring to early summer. The plant's flowering stems emerge from the glossy foliage, adding a subtle touch to its coastal habitat. While not known for flamboyant blossoms, Sea Beet's f... Fruit: The fruit of Sea Beet consists of small, rounded seed clusters encapsulated within fleshy, triangular structures known as bracts. These bracts often have a papery texture and can take on a reddish or purplish hue. The seeds are contained within these protective structures, and as the plant matures, ... Leaves: Sea Beet is characterized by its large, fleshy leaves, which have a glossy surface. The leaves are typically green but may display a red or purplish tinge, particularly on the stems. These leaves are edible, and when young, they are often harvested for culinary purposes, offering a taste reminiscent...

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Creeping Bent

Flower: Creeping Bent (Agrostis stolonifera) produces delicate, purplish-green flowering panicles from June to August. The flower heads are finely branched and open, giving the plant a light, feathery appearance. Each tiny spikelet contains a single floret, with long, protruding anthers that release pollen ... Fruit: The fruit is a tiny, dry, one-seeded grain (caryopsis), typical of grasses. It is wind-dispersed and quite inconspicuous. While the plant does set seed, it predominantly spreads by creeping stolons—horizontal above-ground stems that root at nodes and form new plants. Leaves: Leaves are narrow, flat, and smooth, with a bluish-green tinge. The ligule is long and pointed—an important identification feature for distinguishing it from similar grasses. The plant forms dense mats, with leafy stolons running along the surface of the soil. These creeping stems give it a low, spr...

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Black Bog-rush

Flower: Black Bog-rush produces dark brown to almost black flower spikes from June to August. The flowers are arranged in tight, slender clusters at the tips of wiry stems. Each spikelet consists of overlapping glumes (scale-like bracts) surrounding the tiny, inconspicuous flowers. The overall inflorescence... Fruit: The fruit is a small, dry nutlet (achene), about 2 mm long, maturing by late summer. It is brown and smooth, often retained among the persistent bracts. The seeds are dispersed by wind and water, and the plant tends to form extensive, slowly spreading colonies in suitable conditions. Leaves: The leaves are narrow, stiff, and tough with a deep green to dark green colour. They grow in dense basal tufts and are sharply folded or inrolled, giving them a wiry texture. The leaf sheaths are dark and shiny, contributing to the plant’s distinctive appearance. The stems are rigid and sharply tria...

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Knotroot Bristlegrass

Flower: Knotroot Brittlegrass produces compact, spike-like flower clusters called inflorescences that are typically greenish-yellow to pale green. These flower spikes are dense and bristly, composed of many small florets that bloom in late summer. The bristles give the flower heads a rough texture, aiding s... Fruit: The fruit is a small caryopsis, typical of grasses, where the seed is fused to the fruit wall. These seeds are contained within the spiky flower heads and disperse primarily through attachment to fur or feathers. The seed’s hard coating allows it to remain dormant until conditions are favourable for... Leaves: The leaves of Knotroot Brittlegrass are narrow, linear, and rough-textured, often with a hairy or bristly surface. They grow alternately along the stem and have parallel veins, characteristic of grasses. The leaf blades can feel slightly abrasive, which helps deter herbivores.

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Brookweed

Flower: Brookweed bears delicate, star-like white to very pale pink flowers, each around 3–5 mm across, with five rounded petals and a greenish centre. The flowers are arranged loosely along one side of a slender, leafless flowering stem (a one-sided raceme). Blooming from June to September, they open gradu... Fruit: After flowering, Brookweed forms small, globular capsules that split open to release tiny seeds. These mature through late summer and into autumn. The seeds are dispersed mainly by water and gravity, helping the plant spread along wetland margins. Its preference for damp, peaty or muddy conditions m... Leaves: The leaves of Samolus valerandi are smooth, oval to spoon-shaped, and fleshy, with a slightly glossy surface. They form a basal rosette and may also appear alternately along the lower part of the flowering stem. Their succulent nature helps the plant cope with fluctuating water levels and occasional...

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Common Bulrush

Flower: Common Bulrush, also known as Broadleaf Cattail, is a tall, reed-like plant found in marshes, ponds, and ditches across the UK. Its flowering stem produces two distinct cylindrical spikes: the upper one bears the yellowish male flowers, while the lower and much thicker brown spike holds the female f... Fruit: The female flower head matures into a dense mass of tiny seeds, each attached to fine hairs. In autumn, the brown spike gradually disintegrates, releasing the seeds to the wind like dandelion fluff. This allows the plant to spread widely across wetlands, often forming extensive colonies. Though not ... Leaves: The leaves of Common Bulrush are flat, grey-green, and can grow up to 2 metres tall. They are long and strap-like, arising from the base in a fan-shaped cluster. The leaves have a smooth texture and are somewhat spongy inside. Their strong, fibrous quality made them historically useful for weaving m...

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Bunny Ears

Flower: Bunny Ear (Lomentaria articulata) is a distinctive marine red algae found in the coastal waters of Europe. Its name derives from its flattened, branching thalli that resemble bunny ears. The algae display a reddish hue, and their tiny, rounded reproductive structures, known as cystocarps, are scatte... Fruit: Bunny Ear does not produce fruit in the traditional sense, as it is a type of marine red algae. Instead, it reproduces through the formation of cystocarps, which are small, rounded structures that develop on the thalli. These cystocarps contain the spores necessary for the algae's reproductive cycle... Leaves: Bunny Ear lacks traditional leaves, as it is a type of marine red algae. Instead of leaves, it has flattened, branching thalli that resemble the shape of bunny ears, giving the algae its common name. These thalli are the primary structures involved in photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and reprodu...

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Buttonweed

Flower: The flowers of Buttonweed are small and button-like, with a distinct yellow hue. They are clustered together, creating a visually striking appearance. The plant's flowering structure adds a touch of vibrancy to its surroundings, forming clusters of these yellow button-like blooms. The overall effect... Fruit: The fruit of Buttonweed is composed of small, rounded seeds. These seeds are typically encapsulated within the mature flower head, contributing to the distinctive button-like appearance. The fruiting structure is modest in size and complements the overall low-growing and spreading nature of the plan... Leaves: The leaves of Buttonweed are green, fleshy, and characterized by distinct lobes. They emit a distinctive odor when crushed. The leaves are arranged densely along the stems, contributing to the plant's low-growing and mat-forming habit. This foliage, with its lobed structure, adds to the overall appe...

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Wild Celery

Flower: Wild Celery (Apium graveolens) produces small, creamy-white flowers arranged in loose, compound umbels. Each umbel typically contains 6–12 rays, and the flowers bloom from July to September. The tiny flowers have five petals and are pollinated by a range of insects, particularly flies and hoverflies... Fruit: The fruits are small, ribbed, oval schizocarps, which split into two halves when mature—each half containing a single seed. The surface of the fruit is slightly rough with prominent ridges and a faint aromatic flavour. These seeds ripen by late summer and can persist into early autumn. Like cultivat... Leaves: The leaves are glossy, dark green, and pinnate, with triangular, toothed leaflets. Lower leaves are long-stalked and larger than the upper leaves, which are smaller and often clasp the stem. The leaf structure resembles that of parsley, and the strong resemblance to its cultivated counterpart is unm...

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