Reserves and species

Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Bird's-nest Orchid

Scientific Name: 
Neottia nidus-avis

The Bird's-nest orchid is a very strange plant: leafless and without the green chlorophyll of other plants that enable them to gain energy from sunlight through photosynthesis, it grows as a parasite on the roots of trees, gaining its nutrients from its host. Usually found in woodland, particularly under Beech trees, this almost sickly looking, yellow plant appears from May to July.

How to identify: 
The Bird's-nest Orchid is a brownish-yellow flower spike with small, hooded flowers clustered together.
Where to find it: 
Scattered throughout mainland UK; locally common in the south of England and quite common in Northern Ireland.
How people can help: 

The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for a range of wildflowers including various orchids. A mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting, ride maintenance and non-intervention helps many flowers and plants to thrive and keeps others that are more invasive under control. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to raising awareness about woodland wildlife.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 35cm
Conservation status: 
Classified as Near Threatened in Britain on the Red Data List.
Did you know?: 
Found everywhere on Earth, except in the driest deserts and on freezing glaciers, orchids are the second largest flowering plant family with 25,000 species. Many of these plants have become highly specialised, with attractive flowers that often mimic the pollinators they are trying to attract, or parasitic relationships such as that of the Bird's-nest Orchid.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
When to see
Start date: 
May
End date: 
July
Image: 
Bird's-nest orchid - Philip Precey
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Twayblade

Scientific Name: 
Neottia ovata (formerly Listera ovata)

The Twayblade is a medium-sized orchid that can be easily overlooked despite being one of our commonest species, while Common Spotted is more abundant and more widespread. Common in the woodlands, scrub and grasslands of calcareous soils, its flower spike carries a very loose cluster of yellow-green flowers that are not as showy as some of the other, more exotic-looking orchids. It is in bloom from May to July.

How to identify: 
The Twayblade has a pair of broad leaves that appear flush to the ground in March, before the flower stem grows. The single green flower spike bears the yellow-green flowers that look a little like people in their form.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for a range of wildflowers including various orchids. A mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting and ride maintenance opens up the woodland floor to the sun, helping many flowers and plants to thrive and keeping others that are more invasive under control. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to raising awareness about woodland wildlife.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 50cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
Twayblade, sometimes known as 'Common Twayblade' to distinguish it from the related, but much rarer, Lesser Twayblade, is named after its 'twin blades' - its two broad, rounded leaves.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
When to see
Start date: 
March
End date: 
July
Image: 
Twayblade - northeastwildlife.co.uk
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Greater Burdock

Scientific Name: 
Arctium lappa
How to identify: 
A tall plant, Greater Burdock has large, downy, heart-shaped leaves with wavy margins. It produces egg-shaped, thistle-like flower heads that appear in loose clusters from July to September and eventually give rise to the familiar sticky burs with their large hooks.
Where to find it: 
Grows mainly in central and southern areas of England.
How people can help: 

Like many of our native plants, Greater Burdock is an excellent source of nectar and pollen for all kinds of insects including bees, wasps and butterflies. To encourage wildlife into your garden, try planting native flower species in your borders to provide a 'nectar-cafe'. To find out more about wildlife-friendly gardening, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 1m
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
The flower heads of Greater Burdock are attractive to a range of insects including Painted Lady and Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies. They are also interesting to us too, forming the basis of the traditional Burry Man parade in Edinburgh - dressed head to toe in burs, he walks about the town.
Seasons: 
Summer
Autumn
When to see
Start date: 
July
End date: 
September
Image: 
Greater burdock - Graham Gavaghan
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Oxeye Daisy

Scientific Name: 
Leucanthemum vulgare

A typical grassland plant, the Oxeye Daisy thrives on roadside verges and waste grounds, as well as in traditional hay meadows and along field edges deliberately looked after for wildflowers - swathes of gently swaying Oxeye Daisies can turn a field or roadside white in summer. Its large blooms appear from July to September and are so bright that they appear to 'glow' in the evening, hence the common names of 'Moon Daisy' and 'Moonpenny'.

How to identify: 
The Oxeye Daisy is easy to identify by its large, round flower heads that appear on single, tall stems. The daisy-like flower head is actually not just one flower, but a composite of a number of tiny flowers which make up the yellow disc in the middle and the surrounding white 'ray florets' (which look like petals). It has spoon-shaped leaves at its base and thin, jagged leaves along the stem.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Once awash with wildflowers and alive with insects, our hay meadows have been drained, damaged and destroyed as a result of agricultural intensification; more than 95% of our wildflower meadows have been lost in recent years. Without care, those meadows that are left can quickly become overgrown, pushing out wildflowers such as Oxeye Daisies. The Wildlife Trusts look after many meadow habitats using traditional methods, such as hay-cutting, reseeding and grazing, for the benefit of local wildlife. We are also working closely with farmers and landowners to promote wildlife-friendly practices in these areas. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from stockwatching to surveying meadow flowers.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 60cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
The petal-plucking game, 'He loves me; he loves me not', is thought to have started with the Oxeye Daisy, and is now a common children's activity. While thinking of a suitor, each petal is plucked until the answer of whether love is possible becomes apparent. However, each 'petal' is actually an individual flower as Oxeye Daisies have composite flower heads.
Seasons: 
Summer
Autumn
When to see
Start date: 
June
End date: 
September
Image: 
Oxeye daisy - Richard Burkmar
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Tansy

Scientific Name: 
Tanacetum vulgare

Tansy is an aromatic plant of disturbed ground, rough grasslands, riverbanks and roadside verges. It has fern-like foliage and yellow flower heads that appear in clusters from July to October. It has a long history of use for medicinal purposes and was cultivated by the ancient Greeks. Now, many forms are available as decorative garden varieties.

How to identify: 
The leaves of Tansy alternate up the length of the reddish stem. Each leaf is divided into many leaflets which are finely toothed, giving them a fern-like appearance. The yellow flower heads (consisting of lots of tiny flowers) look like small, rounded buttons and cluster together.
Where to find it: 
Widespread in most of the UK, but less common in the north of Scotland.
How people can help: 

Although they sometimes don't look especially wildlife-friendly, our roadside verges and waste grounds can provide valuable habitats for all kinds of plants and animals. The Wildlife Trusts get involved in different projects to help make these places as beneficial for wildlife as possible. We have a vision of a 'Living Landscape': a network of habitats and wildlife corridors across town and country, which are good for both wildlife and people. You can support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 75cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
Tansy leaves were traditionally eaten at Easter to help kill off the worms that the fish diet of the time caused. They were quite bitter so were mixed with eggs, milk and flour in a kind of pancake or omelette.
Seasons: 
Summer
Autumn
When to see
Start date: 
July
End date: 
October
Image: 
Tansy - Richard Burkmar
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Hemp-agrimony

Scientific Name: 
Eupatorium cannabinum

Hemp-agrimony is a tall plant found in damp grassland, marshes, fens and wet woodlands, and along riverbanks. The frothy, pinkish flower clusters appear from July to September and are very attractive to all kinds of insects including butterflies like the Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral. Its common name comes from the resemblance of its leaves to Hemp or Cannabis, although it is not related to it.

How to identify: 
Hemp-agrimony is a bushy plant with trifoliate leaves (with long, toothed leaflets) that appear in opposite pairs along the reddish stems. The stems end in clusters of tiny pink flowers that give it another common name of 'Raspberries and Cream'.
Where to find it: 
Grows throughout the UK, but predominantly in Wales and the south of England.
How people can help: 

Human activity, including the drainage of land for agriculture and development, has resulted in the disappearance of many of the UK's wetlands. The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with planners, developers and farmers to ensure our wetlands are protected. You can help too: add native plants and flowers, such as Hemp-agrimony, to a wildlife-friendly pond and its margins, and provide shelter for amphibians and nectar for insects. In partnership with the RHS, The Wildlife Trusts' Wild About Gardens initiative can help you plan your wildlife garden.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 1.5m
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
When the stems of Hemp-agrimony are cut, they produce an aromatic and pleasant smell.
Seasons: 
Summer
Autumn
When to see
Start date: 
July
End date: 
September
Image: 
Hemp agrimony - northeastwildlife.co.uk
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Yarrow

Scientific Name: 
Achillea millefolium

Yarrow is a tough plant of many grasslands, from lawns to verges and meadows; clusters of white, flat-topped flower heads appear from June to November. Yarrow has been used to help restore arable land to grassland by sowing it along with other natives.

How to identify: 
A strong-smelling perennial, Yarrow has dark green, finely divided, feathery leaves. It has flat-topped clusters of white flower heads; each flower head comprises yellowish disc florets and pinky-white ray florets - together they give the impression of one flower with a yellow centre and white petals.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Some of our most abundant species are often treated as 'weeds' when they appear in the garden. Yet they can be extremely beneficial to wildlife, providing food for nectar-loving insects and shelter for minibeasts. Try leaving wilder areas in your garden and see who comes to visit... To find out more about wildlife-friendly gardening, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 50cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
Centuries ago, Yarrow was used as a charm against bad luck and illness. Although it was also used to stop wounds from bleeding, it was believed to cause nosebleeds if put up the nose.
Seasons: 
Summer
Autumn
When to see
Start date: 
June
End date: 
November
Image: 
Yarrow - Philip Precey
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Pineappleweed

Scientific Name: 
Matricaria discoidea

The bright green, feathery leaves and yellow flower heads of Pineappleweed can be seen on bare, disturbed ground, such as paths and pavements, roadsides and tracks. Introduced into the UK during the late 19th century, its rapid spread has been attributed to growth of motor transport - the seeds being picked up on tyre treads, along with the mud of the then untarmaced roads, and being deposited miles away as rain washed them off.

How to identify: 
Pineappleweed lives up to its name - its crushed leaves have a distinctive pineapple smell. Its leaves are finely divided and feathery, and its yellow, conical flower heads which look remarkably like tiny pineapples appear from May to November. Like the other members of the daisy family, it is a composite flower, so has a flower head made up of lots of individual blooms, but it has no 'ray florets', so appears to have no 'petals'.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Pineappleweed is an introduced species that has become widespread and naturalised in the UK over many years without much cause for concern. However, the effects of introduced species are not always as benign. The Wildlife Trusts work with researchers, scientists and other conservationists to monitor changes in our native wildlife to determine the effects of environmental change, such as the introduction of new species or climate change. You can help: volunteer for your local Trust and you'll be able to monitor populations and survey habitats, adding to a growing bank of data.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 12cm
Conservation status: 
Introduced species.
Did you know?: 
Pineappleweed is native to north-east Asia and is thought to have spread to the UK via North America.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
Autumn
When to see
Start date: 
May
End date: 
November
Image: 
Pineappleweed - Neil Wyatt
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Daisy

Scientific Name: 
Bellis perennis

Perhaps one of the most familiar flowers of all, the humble Daisy can be seen flowering almost all year-round. Their persistent and widespread growth, heralding the arrival of spring to our gardens, has resulted in children using them to make necklaces (Daisy chains) and adults desperately trying to rid their lawns of them.

How to identify: 
Daisies have spoon-shaped leaves that form a rosette at the base of the plant, close to the ground and among the short grass they favour. A single stem arises carrying the flower head - this is actually not just one flower, but a composite of a number of tiny flowers which make up the yellow disc in the middle and the surrounding white 'ray florets' (which look like petals).
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Many of our so-called 'weeds' are beneficial to wildlife, providing food for nectar-loving insects and shelter for minibeasts. Try leaving wilder areas in your garden, such as patches of Daisies and Red Clover in your lawn and Stinging Nettles near the compost heap, and see who comes to visit... To find out more about wildlife-friendly gardening, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 10cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
The petal-plucking game, 'He loves me; he loves me not', is thought to have started with the Oxeye Daisy, but is now a common children's activity using the ubiquitous Daisy. While thinking of a suitor, each petal is plucked until the answer of whether love is possible becomes apparent. However, each 'petal' is actually an individual flower as Daisies have composite flower heads.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
When to see
Start date: 
January
End date: 
December
Image: 
Daisy - Rachel Scopes
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:05

Colt's-foot

Scientific Name: 
Tussilago farfara

A common and creeping perennial of bare, damp or disturbed ground, Colt's-foot can be found on waste ground, field edges and roadside verges. The sun-yellow flower heads appear as early as February, and well before the hoof-shaped leaves (hence the common name). Colt's-foot continues to brighten up rough ground until April.

How to identify: 
Large, yellow flower heads that look like daisies with their prominent, round middles distinguish Colt's-foot from dandelions and cat's ears. The flowers are borne on scaly stems and the leaves are rounded or heart-shaped.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Some of our most abundant species are often treated as 'weeds' when they appear in the garden. Yet they can be extremely beneficial to wildlife, providing food for nectar-loving insects and shelter for minibeasts. Try leaving wilder areas in your garden and see who comes to visit... To find out more about wildlife-friendly gardening, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Height: up to 15cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
The fact that the flowers of Colt's-foot appear before the leaves do has led to one of its other common names: 'Son-before-father'.
Seasons: 
Spring
When to see
Start date: 
February
End date: 
April
Image: 
Colt's-foot - Philip Precey