British Wild Flowers: A photographic guide to every common species

Ray’s Knotgrass

Ray’s Knotgrass Polygonum oxyspermum (Polygonaceae)

PROSTRATE

Mat-forming annual of undisturbed coastal sand and shingle beaches. FLOWERS Pinkish white, in leaf axils (Aug–Sep). FRUITS Nut-like, protruding beyond the withering flower. LEAVES Oval, leathery, alternate, sometimes with slightly inrolled margins. STATUS Local and commonest in the west.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum (Polygonaceae)

HEIGHT to 30cm

Hairless, upright annual, usually with reddish stems. Associated with disturbed or waste ground. FLOWERS Pinkish, in stalked, branched clusters (July–Sep). FRUITS Smooth, 3-sided nuts. LEAVES Broad, arrow-shaped, the upper ones clasping the stem. STATUS Widespread but occasional, a relict of cultivation.

Common Bistort

Common Bistort

Common Bistort Persicaria bistorta (Polygonaceae)

HEIGHT to 60cm

Attractive perennial of damp meadows, forming patches in suitable locations. FLOWERS Pink, in dense, 30–40mm terminal spikes (June–Aug). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Oval or arrow-shaped, the lower ones stalked, the upper ones almost stalkless. STATUS Locally common in the north but rare in the south.

See also Sea Knotgrass

Knotweed Family Polygonaceae

Amphibious Bistort

Amphibious Bistort Persicaria amphibia HEIGHT to 40cm

Perennial of ponds and nearby dry land. Aquatic form has floating stems. FLOWERS Pink, in cylindrical spikes (June–Sep). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Narrow; aquatic forms hairless, truncate at the base and long-stalked; terrestrial forms downy, rounded at the base and short-stalked. STATUS Locally common.

Alpine Bistort

Alpine Bistort Persicaria vivipara

HEIGHT to 30cm

Upright, unbranched perennial of upland and northern grassland. FLOWERS In terminal spikes; upper ones pale pink, lower ones reddish-brown bulbils (a means of vegetative reproduction) (June–Aug). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Narrow, grasslike, the margins inrolled. STATUS Locally common from N Wales northwards.

Water-pepper

Small Water-pepper

Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper HEIGHT to 70cm

Upright, branched annual, characteristic of damp, bare ground such as winter-wet ruts, and shallow water. FLOWERS Pale pink, in long spikes that droop at the tip (July–Sep). FRUITS Small and nut-like. LEAVES Narrow, oval, with a peppery taste when chewed. STATUS Widespread and common, except in the north. Small Water-pepper P. minor is similar but much smaller (to 30cm), with shorter, narrower leaves (5–8mm across) that are not peppery. Local and scarce on bare pond margins.

Redshank

Redshank

Redshank Persicaria maculosa HEIGHT to 60cm

Upright or sprawling hairless annual with much-branched reddish stems. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS Pink, in terminal spikes (June–Oct). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Narrow, oval, usually showing a dark central mark. STATUS Widespread and common throughout.

Pale Persicaria

Pale Persicaria

Pale Persicaria Persicaria lapathifolia HEIGHT to 60cm

Upright or sprawling annual. Similar to Redshank but stems usually greenish and hairy. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS Greenish white, in terminal spikes (June–Oct). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Narrow, oval. STATUS Widespread and generally common throughout.

Black-bindweed

Copse-bindweed

Black-bindweed Fallopia convolvulus HEIGHT to 1m

Extremely common, clockwise-twining annual that both trails on the ground and climbs among wayside plants. FLOWERS Greenish and rather dock-like, in loose spikes arising from leaf axils (July–Oct). FRUITS Nut-like, blackish. LEAVES Arrow-shaped, on angular stems. STATUS Widespread and common. Copse-bindweed F. dumetorum is similar but has much longer fruit stalks (4–8mm). Scarce.

Mountain Sorrel

Mountain Sorrel Oxyria digyna

HEIGHT to 30cm

Upright, hairless perennial of damp ground in upland areas; often found beside streams. FLOWERS Greenish with red margins, in loose, upright spikes (July–Aug). FRUITS Flat, broad-winged. LEAVES Entirely basal; rounded to kidney-shaped. STATUS Widespread and locally common in upland and northern areas.

Common Sorrel

Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa HEIGHT to 60cm

Variable perennial of grassy habitats. Whole plant often turns red as it goes over. FLOWERS Reddish, in slender spikes (May–July). FRUITS Nut-like with a small tubercle. LEAVES Deep green, arrow-shaped, narrow; tasting mildly of vinegar. STATUS Widespread and common.

Sheep’s Sorrel

Sheep’s Sorrel

Sheep’s Sorrel Rumex acetosella HEIGHT to 25cm

Short, upright perennial of bare, well-drained acid soils. FLOWERS Greenish, in loose, slender spikes (May–Aug). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Arrow-shaped but with basal lobes pointing forwards; upper leaves clasp the stem. STATUS Widespread and common in suitable habitats.

Curled Dock leaf

Fruit

Morgan, Lee

Curled Dock

Fruits

Curled Dock Rumex crispus HEIGHT to 1m

Upright perennial of rough meadows and disturbed soils. FLOWERS Flattened, oval, in dense, leafless spikes that do not spread away from the stem (June–Oct). FRUITS Oval, untoothed, usually with a single tubercle. LEAVES Narrow, to 25cm long and with wavy edges. STATUS Widespread and common.

Northern Dock

Northern Dock Rumex longifolius

HEIGHT to 1.5m

Upright perennial of disturbed ground, often beside rivers and roads, or near the coast. Rather similar to Curled Dock. FLOWERS Pale green, in narrow spikes. FRUITS Heart-shaped, lacking teeth and tubercles (July–Sep). LEAVES To 80cm long, broader than those of Curled Dock. STATUS Locally common only in central Scotland.

Smith, Don

Water Dock

Water Dock Rumex hydrolapathum HEIGHT to 2m

Large, unbranched perennial, associated with damp habitats such as ditches, river banks, canals and marshes. FLOWERS In tall, dense spikes (July–Sep). FRUITS Triangular, with few small teeth and 3 tubercles. LEAVES Oval, to 1m long, tapering at base. STATUS Widespread but absent from the north; commonest in S and E England.

Scottish Dock

Scottish Dock Rumex aquaticus

HEIGHT to 1.5m

Similar to Water Dock but more slender and less branched. Associated with waterside vegetation but restricted to Loch Lomond. FLOWERS In tall, dense spikes (July–Sep). FRUITS Triangular, lacking tubercles. LEAVES Long, triangular, with a broad base. STATUS Found only along E shores of Loch Lomond.

Broad-leaved Dock

Fruits

Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius HEIGHT to 1m

Familiar upright perennial of field margins and disturbed meadows. FLOWERS In loose spikes that are leafy at the base (June–Aug). FRUITS With prominent teeth and 1 tubercle. LEAVES Broadly oval, heart-shaped at the base; up to 25cm long. STATUS Widespread and extremely common throughout.

Clustered Dock

Fruits

Clustered Dock Rumex conglomeratus HEIGHT to 1m

Upright perennial with a zigzag stem and spreading branches. Found in meadows and woodland margins, often on damp soil. FLOWERS In leafy spikes. FRUITS Small, untoothed, with 3 elongated tubercles (June–Aug). LEAVES Oval; basal ones heart-shaped at base and often waisted. STATUS Mostly common but rare in Scotland.

Fruit

Wood Dock

Fruits

Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus HEIGHT to 1m

Upright, straggly and branched perennial of grassy woodland rides and shady meadows. FLOWERS In spikes; leafy only at the base (June–Aug). FRUITS With a single elongated wart. LEAVES Oval; basal ones heart-shaped at base, sometimes red-veined and never waisted. STATUS Widespread and common, mainly absent from Scotland.

Leaf

Fruit

Fiddle Dock

Fruits

Fiddle Dock Rumex pulcher

HEIGHT to 30cm

Upright to spreading perennial with branches spreading at right angles. Favours well-drained soil, often near the coast. FLOWERS On spikes in widely separated whorls (June–Aug). FRUITS Toothed, with 3 tubercles. LEAVES To 10cm, waisted and violin-shaped. STATUS Local, and restricted to S England and S Wales.

Marsh Dock fruit

Golden Dock fruit

Golden Dock

Marsh Dock

Golden Dock Rumex maritimus

HEIGHT to 70cm

Annual or biennial of muddy freshwater margins. Turns golden yellow in fruit. FLOWERS In dense, widely separated whorls (June–Aug). FRUITS With 3 tubercles and teeth longer than valves. LEAVES Lanceolate. STATUS Widespread but local, mainly in the south. Marsh Dock R. palustris is similar but does not turn yellow; fruit teeth shorter than valve.

See also Shore Dock

Blinks to Goosefoot Families

Springbeauty

Springbeauty Claytonia perfoliata (Portulacaceae)

HEIGHT to 30cm

Annual, introduced from N America; naturalised on dry, sandy soil. FLOWERS White, 5-petalled, 5mm across; in loose spikes (Apr–July). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Oval and stalked at the base; flowering stems bear fused pairs of perfoliate leaves. STATUS Widespread and locally abundant.

Pink Purslane

Pink Purslane Claytonia sibirica (Portulacaceae)

HEIGHT to 30cm

Annual or perennial, introduced from N America. Favours damp woods. FLOWERS Pink with darker veins, 5-petalled, 15–20mm across (Apr–July). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Oval, stalked at the base; flowering stems carry opposite pairs of unstalked leaves. STATUS Widely naturalised.

Blinks

Blinks Montia fontana (Portulacaceae) USUALLY PROSTRATE

Low-growing, sometimes mat-forming plant of bare, damp ground; sometimes grows partly submerged in water. Stems sometimes reddish. FLOWERS Tiny, white; in terminal clusters (May–Oct). FRUITS Rounded capsules. LEAVES Narrow oval, opposite. STATUS Widespread and common but least so in the south.