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...

[view all information]

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.

[view all information]

Italian Alder

Flower: Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are typically arranged in pendulous catkins. These catkins can be either male or female. Male catkins are slender and yellowish-green, and they release pollen into the air. Female catkins are shorter and more cylindrical, with ... Fruit: Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) produces elongated and cylindrical catkins, which are an important part of its reproductive structures. These catkins are typically pendulous, hanging from the branches, and they come in two main types: male and female. Male catkins are usually longer and more slender, ... Leaves: The leaves of the Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) are characterized by their heart-shaped form and serrated edges. These deciduous leaves are typically medium to dark green in color and have a glossy appearance on their upper surface. They are arranged alternately along the branches and can grow to be...

[view all information]

Allseed

Flower: Allseed produces tiny, star-like white flowers, just 1–2 mm across, with four petals and four sepals, both about the same length. The petals are often shorter or missing entirely, making the sepals more prominent. Flowers are borne in delicate, branching sprays (cymes) and appear from June to August... Fruit: The fruit is a very small, dry capsule that splits into four segments, each releasing a single seed. These minute seeds are dispersed close to the parent plant, typically falling onto bare, damp soil. The seeds germinate quickly under the right conditions, allowing the plant to complete its life cyc... Leaves: Leaves are tiny (1–4 mm long), opposite, and narrowly oval, with no stalks (sessile) and smooth edges. They form neat pairs along the hair-thin, wiry stems, which typically grow 2–10 cm tall. The plant has a very delicate, thread-like appearance and can easily be overlooked among mosses and other lo...

[view all information]

Arrowhead

Flower: Arrowhead produces striking white flowers with three broad petals and a yellow or purplish centre. These appear in whorled clusters on tall, upright stems from July to September. The flowers are unisexual, with male flowers usually above the female ones on the same plant. They grow above the water s... Fruit: After pollination, the female flowers develop into small, rounded clusters of dry fruits known as achenes. These achenes are buoyant and can float, aiding dispersal via water currents. Each fruit contains a single seed, and the entire cluster may remain attached to the plant above the water or event... Leaves: The plant's name comes from its distinctive arrowhead-shaped leaves, which are sharply pointed and emerge above the water on long stalks. Submerged leaves, however, are strap-like or linear and quite different in form. This dual-leaf structure helps the plant thrive in aquatic environments. The emer...

[view all information]

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.

[view all information]

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.

[view all information]

Aunt Eliza

Flower: The orange-brown flowers are about 6cm in length. They are arranged alternately along its zigzagged stems. Fruit: A 3-angled, green capsule, turning brown upon ripening. Leaves: A clump-forming perennial with olive green, deeply pleated, wiry leaves. The plant grows from a corm. Seldom found growing wild in the UK but not unheard of.

[view all information]

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.

[view all information]

Balm of Gilead

Flower: Pale yellowish-green catkins which appear before the leaves in spring, up to 16cm long. Wind pollinated. Fruit: The seeds are the fruit. They ripen in May. Leaves: The leaf buds are very sticky and resinous. The smooth and hairless leaves are heart-shaped with a pointed tip and finely serrated margins.

[view all information]

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.

[view all information]

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...

[view all information]

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...

[view all information]

Arrow Bamboo

Flower: Arrow Bamboo flowers are extremely rare and typically appear only once every several decades. When they do, the plant may produce small, grass-like panicles with inconspicuous, wind-pollinated flowers. Like many bamboos, flowering is often followed by the plant's death, a phenomenon called monocarpi... Fruit: When fruit does occur (rarely), it resembles a small grain, similar to other grass seeds, but it is not commonly seen due to the plant’s infrequent flowering. In cultivation, fruiting is essentially absent, and propagation is done via rhizomes or stem cuttings. Leaves: Leaves are broad, lanceolate (spear-shaped), typically 10–25 cm long and up to 5 cm wide—larger than those of many other bamboo species. They are dark green, glossy, and have parallel veins with a prominent midrib. The leaves grow alternately along the culm branches and give the plant a lush, dense ...

[view all information]

Great Marsh Bedstraw

Flower: The flowers are small and white, appearing together in clusters. The flowers are larger than those of Marsh Bedstraw (Galium palustre). Fruit: The fruit is a wrinkled nutlet. Leaves: The leaves are configured in whorls of 4 to 6. They have rough margins. The stems are without prickles. This is a perennial species, sometimes growing in water. It can be found throughout all parts of the British Isles.

[view all information]