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.
Hottentot-fig
Hottentot-fig Carpobrotus edulis (Aizoaceae)
Exotic-looking fleshy perennial, introduced from S Africa. Forms carpets on coastal cliffs and banks. FLOWERS Usually yellow (sometimes fade pinkish), 7–10cm across, many-petalled (May–Aug). FRUITS Swollen and succulent. LEAVES Dark green, succulent, 3-sided, 6–7cm long and narrow. STATUS Naturalised in the south-west.
Fathen
Fat-hen
Flowers
Fat-hen Chenopodium album (Chenopodiaceae) HEIGHT to 1m
Upright, branched annual of disturbed arable land. Often has a mealy appearance. FLOWERS Whitish green, in leafy spikes (June–Oct). FRUITS Rounded, and surrounded by 5 sepals, in a ring. LEAVES Green, matt-looking due to a mealy coating; varying from oval to diamond-shaped. STATUS Common. Fig-leaved Goosefoot C. ficifolium is similar but with fig-like leaves. The flowers are greenish (July–Oct). Local on clay in central and S England.
Red Goosefoot
Fig-leaved Goosefoot
Red Goosefoot
Flowers
Red Goosefoot Chenopodium rubrum (Chenopodiaceae) HEIGHT to 60cm
Variable upright annual, of manure-enriched soils. Stems often turn red in old plants. FLOWERS Small, numerous, in upright, leafy spikes. FRUITS Rounded, enclosed by 2–4 sepals (July–Oct). LEAVES Shiny, diamond-shaped, toothed. STATUS Common only in S England.
Many-seeded Goosefoot
Many-seeded Goosefoot
Flowers
Many-seeded Goosefoot Chenopodium polyspermum (Chenopodiaceae)
Spreading or upright annual stems square and usually reddish. Favours light, disturbed soils. FLOWERS Small, numerous, in long spikes (July–Sep). FRUITS Partly enclosed by sepals. LEAVES Oval, untoothed, decreasing in size up stem. STATUS Widespread in England.
Good-King-Henry
Good-King-Henry
Flowers
Good-King-Henry Chenopodium bonus-henricus (Chenopodiaceae)
Upright introduced perennial; stems often streaked red. Favours disturbed arable land and waste ground. FLOWERS Numerous, in narrow, leafless spikes (May–Aug). FRUITS Ringed by sepals at the base. LEAVES Mealy when young but dark green with age; triangular in outline. STATUS Local.
Frosted Orache
Frosted Orache Atriplex laciniata (Chenopodiaceae)
Distinctive silvery-grey plant that is characteristic of sandy beaches. Stems usually flushed with pink. FLOWERS Whitish, in clusters (July–Sep). FRUITS Diamond-shaped, toothed. LEAVES Fleshy, mealy, toothed, diamond-shaped. STATUS Widespread, locally common but exclusively coastal.
Goosefoot Family Chenopodiaceae
Babington’s
