Garden Arabis

Flower: Garden Arabis produces an attractive flush of pure white, four-petalled flowers, typically blooming from early to mid-spring (March to May). Each flower measures around 1–1.5 cm across and grows in small, loose clusters at the tips of the stems. The flowers have a delicate appearance but are surpris... Fruit: After flowering, Arabis caucasica forms long, narrow seed pods known as siliques – characteristic of the Brassicaceae family. These seed pods are slender, up to 4 cm long, and hang downwards, gradually drying out to release small seeds. The fruiting stage typically occurs from late spring into early... Leaves: The leaves form a low-growing rosette at the base, with smaller, more spaced-out leaves climbing up the stems. Basal leaves are oblong to spoon-shaped and often slightly toothed, while upper stem leaves are narrower and may clasp the stem slightly. The foliage is covered in fine hairs, giving the pl...

[view all information]

Goldilocks Aster

Flower: Goldilocks Aster produces bright yellow, button-like flower heads composed entirely of tubular disc florets, with no ray florets. These compact heads appear in dense terminal clusters and bloom from July to September. Despite lacking the typical "daisy" look, the rich golden colour and late flowerin... Fruit: The plant forms small, dry achenes topped with a short pappus of fine hairs, allowing for limited wind dispersal. These seeds are lightweight and generally remain close to the parent plant unless aided by animals or strong breezes. Seed production is modest, and in the wild, the plant often spreads ... Leaves: Leaves are narrow, linear to lanceolate, and resemble those of grasses or rosemary, giving the plant a neat, upright appearance. They are arranged alternately along the stem and are smooth-edged with a tough, leathery texture. Their evergreen-like quality helps the plant retain moisture and survive ...

[view all information]

Common Barberry

Flower: Berberis vulgaris produces bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers with six petals, grouped in drooping racemes of 10–20 blossoms. These appear in April to June, each flower measuring around 5–7 mm across. The blooms are nectar-rich and attract bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators. The yellow flowers a... Fruit: The plant produces clusters of small, elongated red berries about 1 cm long, ripening from late summer into autumn (August–October). These berries are edible when fully ripe, though very sour and astringent. They were traditionally used for jams, jellies, and even as a souring agent in some Middle E... Leaves: Leaves are small (2–5 cm), oval to oblong, with toothed margins, and are arranged in whorls or clusters along the stems. They are green in summer, often turning red or purple in autumn. Each leaf cluster arises near a three-pronged thorn, a typical feature of barberries. The leaves are deciduous, fa...

[view all information]

Cornish Bellflower

Flower: Cornish Bellflower features elegant, creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers that hang in loose, one-sided spikes from the upper parts of the stems. Each flower is around 2.5–3.5 cm long, with five fused petals that flare gently at the tips. Blooming from June to August, the pale flowers give the plant a ... Fruit: The fruit is a capsule that forms after flowering and contains many fine seeds. When ripe, the capsule opens through small basal pores, allowing the seeds to fall out or be scattered by the wind. While it can self-seed in favourable conditions, it tends to be less aggressive than other bellflowers l... Leaves: The leaves are coarsely toothed and heart- to oval-shaped, resembling those of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)—hence the species name alliariifolia. The lower leaves have longer stalks and are broader, while the upper leaves become narrower and sessile. The foliage is softly hairy, and the plant...

[view all information]

Clustered Bellflower

Flower: Clustered Bellflower is named for its dense, rounded clusters of violet-purple, bell-shaped flowers that typically form at the top of the stem and sometimes in the leaf axils. Each flower measures about 2–3 cm long and has five shallowly lobed petals fused into a bell or funnel shape. Blooming from ... Fruit: The fruit is a small, upright capsule that splits open through basal pores when mature, releasing many fine seeds. These capsules appear shortly after flowering and persist into autumn. Seed is the primary method of reproduction, although some cultivated forms can also spread by rhizomes. Leaves: The basal leaves of Campanula glomerata are oval to heart-shaped with long stalks and toothed edges. Higher up the stem, the leaves become narrower and stalkless, often clasping the stem. All leaves are rough to the touch, slightly hairy, and arranged alternately. The sturdy, upright stems and dense...

[view all information]

Alpine Bistort

Flower: Alpine Bistort bears small, white to pale pink flowers densely arranged in a narrow, cylindrical spike at the top of a single erect stem. Each flower has five petal-like tepals and blooms from June to August. What makes it distinctive is the presence of bulbils (asexual propagules) among the flowers... Fruit: The fruit is a small, dark brown to black three-angled nutlet (achene), but fruiting is often limited due to the predominance of vegetative reproduction via bulbils. The bulbils eventually fall to the ground and grow into new plants, allowing rapid local spread without the need for pollination. Leaves: Leaves are mostly basal, oval to lanceolate, with smooth edges and short stalks. They form a small rosette at the base of the stem, while smaller, alternate leaves may appear sparsely along the flowering stem. Leaf surfaces are usually smooth, and the overall appearance is compact and tidy—well-suit...

[view all information]

Narrow-leaved Bittercress

Flower: The flowers of Cardamine impatiens are small and white, forming loose, elongated clusters (racemes) at the top of the plant. Each flower has four petals arranged in a cross shape, typical of the cabbage family (Brassicaceae). Blooming occurs from May to August, with individual flowers measuring arou... Fruit: After flowering, the plant produces slender, upright seed pods (siliquae), which are 2–4 cm long and strongly resemble those of other bittercresses. When ripe, the pods are touch-sensitive and explode when disturbed—a mechanism called ballistic dispersal—scattering the tiny seeds several feet from t... Leaves: The foliage of Narrow-leaved Bittercress is distinctive, with pinnately divided leaves that are narrow and elongated. Basal leaves tend to have rounded lobes, while the upper stem leaves are more linear and finely toothed, giving the plant a delicate, almost fern-like appearance. The leaves are a mi...

[view all information]

Cut-leaved Blackberry

Flower: Rubus laciniatus produces striking, pale pink to whitish flowers, typically 2–3 cm across, blooming from June to August. Each flower has five petals that can appear slightly crinkled or wavy at the edges. The blooms are arranged in loose clusters and are highly attractive to bees and other pollinato... Fruit: The fruit is a classic blackberry-type drupelet cluster, glossy and black when ripe, usually in late summer. R. laciniatus often produces slightly elongated berries, and the flavour is excellent—juicy, sweet, and rich, making them highly desirable for foraging. Cultivated forms exist and are often u... Leaves: This species stands out for its deeply lobed, fern-like leaves, which give it a highly distinctive and ornamental appearance. The leaflets are finely dissected or "cut," hence the common name. Typically, there are five palmate leaflets per leaf, with a dark green upper surface and paler, softly hair...

[view all information]

English Bluebell

Flower: The flowers of English Bluebells, with their pendulous, bell-shaped blooms, adorn the woodland floors of the United Kingdom from April to May, casting a spell of enchantment over observers. Their vivid blue hues, often seen carpeting the ground in dense colonies, create a scene of natural wonder in ... Fruit: After the blooming season, English Bluebells produce small, round fruits known as capsules, containing seeds that ensure their propagation in the following seasons. These capsules develop from the base of the flower stems, gradually swelling as the seeds ripen within. Once matured, the capsules spli... Leaves: The leaves of English Bluebells are long, narrow, and slightly glossy, emerging from the base of the plant in tufts or clusters. These strap-like leaves, characteristic of the genus Hyacinthoides, are typically dark green in colour and have a smooth texture. Arranged in an alternate fashion along th...

[view all information]

Butcher's Broom

Flower: The flowers of Butcher’s Broom are small, greenish to purplish, and grow unusually in the centre of the cladodes (the spiny, leaf-like structures). Blooming occurs from February to April, though the flowers are easily overlooked due to their size and subtle colouration. Despite their inconspicuous a... Fruit: Fertilized female plants produce striking bright red berries, about 1 cm in diameter, which appear in autumn and persist through winter. These berries stand out against the evergreen background and are a useful identification feature. Though visually attractive, the berries are not edible and may ca... Leaves: What appear to be leaves are actually flattened stems called cladodes, which are stiff, dark green, and sharply pointed. True leaves are tiny and scale-like, barely noticeable at the base of each cladode. The spiny tips help deter grazing animals, making the plant well-suited to woodland edges and h...

[view all information]

Spanish Broom

Flower: Spanish Broom produces large, bright yellow, pea-like flowers in early to mid-summer (typically June to August). The flowers are borne in loose terminal racemes, and each has the classic Fabaceae structure with a prominent banner petal. The flowers are fragrant and highly attractive to bees and butt... Fruit: The fruit is a narrow, flattened pod, around 5–8 cm long, maturing to dark brown or black. Like many legumes, the pod twists open explosively when dry, dispersing its hard, dark seeds. The seeds contain toxic alkaloids, including cytisine, and are not edible. Pods are often persistent on the shrub t... Leaves: The leaves are very small, narrow-lanceolate, and sparse, quickly falling off early in the season. The plant’s green, rush-like stems perform photosynthesis, giving it a unique look among brooms. This leaflessness helps it conserve water in hot climates and is a key identifying feature.

[view all information]

Oxtongue Broomrape

Flower: Oxtongue Broomrape has a dense spike of tubular, two-lipped flowers, typically pale yellow-brown to dull purple, often marked with reddish or violet streaks or blotches. Each flower measures 1.5–2 cm in length and is covered with glandular hairs. The corolla tube is usually slightly curved, and the ... Fruit: The fruit is a small, ovoid capsule that contains thousands of tiny, dust-like seeds. These seeds are wind- or rain-dispersed but can only germinate near the roots of a suitable host plant. Leaves: As with all holoparasitic broomrapes, Oxtongue Broomrape lacks chlorophyll and has no true green leaves. Instead, it bears brownish to yellowish scale-like bracts on its stout, upright stem.

[view all information]

Bedstraw Broomrape

Flower: Bedstraw Broomrape produces an upright spike of tubular, two-lipped flowers, usually pale yellow-brown to pinkish-buff, often tinged with violet or purplish veins, especially on the lips. Flowers are about 1.5–2 cm long, covered in glandular hairs, and surrounded by narrow, toothed calyx lobes. Flow... Fruit: The fruit is a small capsule, around 5 mm long, containing thousands of minute, dust-like seeds. These seeds are dispersed by wind or rain splash, but germinate only when in close proximity to a suitable host. Leaves: Like other broomrapes, this species is entirely parasitic and lacks chlorophyll, so it doesn’t have true leaves. Instead, it bears brownish or yellowish scale-like bracts along the flowering stem.

[view all information]

Yarrow Broomrape

Flower: Yarrow Broomrape produces tubular, two-lipped flowers that are typically pale purple or pinkish-purple, often streaked with deeper violet or reddish tones. They are arranged in a dense, upright spike, and each flower measures about 15–25 mm long. Flowering occurs between June and August. As with all... Fruit: The fruit is a small, egg-shaped capsule containing numerous tiny, dust-like seeds. These are released when the capsule matures and splits open, usually aided by wind or rain splash. The seeds are long-lived in the soil and rely on finding a suitable host to germinate and grow. Leaves: True leaves are absent in Orobanche purpurea. Instead, the plant bears small, scale-like structures along its unbranched stem, which is typically purple-brown or yellowish depending on environmental conditions. These scales are vestigial and non-photosynthetic, as the plant is entirely parasitic and...

[view all information]

Purple Viper's Bugloss

Flower: Purple Viper’s Bugloss bears striking funnel-shaped flowers that start out purplish-pink and deepen to violet or bluish-purple as they mature. Each flower is about 2–3 cm long and blooms in dense, leafy spikes. The long, protruding stamens add to the flower’s ornate look. It flowers from late spring... Fruit: The fruit consists of a small, rough nutlet, typically forming in groups of four within the base of each flower. These nutlets are dark brown to greyish and have a roughened texture, aiding in their dispersal. The seeds are persistent in the soil and can remain viable for years, allowing the plant t... Leaves: The leaves of Echium plantagineum are lance-shaped and resemble those of plantain—hence the species name plantagineum. They form a basal rosette in young plants, with alternate, sessile leaves up the flowering stem. Both leaves and stems are covered in coarse, stiff hairs, which can cause skin irrit...

[view all information]