Monk’s-hood
Monk’s-hood
Monk’s-hood Aconitum napellus
Dark green, almost hairless perennial of damp woodland, often beside streams. FLOWERS Bluish violet, 20mm across, helmeted; in upright spikes (May–Aug). FRUITS Dry, many-seeded. LEAVES Deeply divided into palmate lobes. STATUS Local, mainly in the south and south-west. Beware confusion with naturalised garden Aconitum species.
Larkspur
Larkspur Consolida ajacis
Downy annual that is occasionally found in arable field margins. FLOWERS Bluish, comprising 5 petal-like sepals and a long, backward-pointing spur; in loose spikes (June–Aug). FRUITS Dry, many-seeded. LEAVES Deeply divided into palmate lobes. STATUS Introduced (often grown in gardens) and occasional.
Pheasant’s-eye
Pheasant’s-eye Adonis annua
Branched, hairless annual of arable fields on chalky soils. FLOWERS Comprising 5–8 bright red petals that are blackish at the base (June–Aug). FRUITS Long-stalked, elongate, wrinkled. LEAVES Pinnately divided and feathery, upper ones partly shrouding flowers. STATUS Rare and decreasing because of agricultural herbicides.
Mousetail
Mousetail Myosurus minimus
Tufted, inconspicuous annual of arable field margins, often on sandy soil. FLOWERS Long-stalked, 5mm across, with yellowish-green petals and sepals (Mar–July). FRUITS Elongate, plantain-like (see pp), to 7cm long. LEAVES Narrow, grass-like. STATUS Scarce and declining, mainly in S England.
Meadow Buttercup
Meadow Buttercup
Fruit
Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris HEIGHT to 1m
Downy perennial of damp grassland habitats. FLOWERS 18–25mm across, comprising 5 shiny, yellow petals with upright sepals; on long, unfurrowed stalks (Apr–Oct). FRUITS Hook-tipped, in a rounded head. LEAVES Rounded outline, but divided into 3–7 lobes; upper ones unstalked. STATUS Widespread and abundant throughout.
Creeping Buttercup
Creeping Buttercup
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens HEIGHT to 50cm
Often unwelcome perennial of lawns and other grassy places. Long, rooting runners aid its spread. FLOWERS 20–30mm across, with 5 yellow petals and upright sepals; on furrowed stalks (May–Aug). FRUITS In rounded heads. LEAVES Hairy; divided into 3 lobes; middle lobe is stalked. STATUS Widespread and common.
Bulbous Buttercup
Bulbous Buttercup
Fruit
Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus HEIGHT to 40cm
Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS 20–30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals; on furrowed stalks (Mar–July). FRUITS Smooth. LEAVES Divided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUS Wide-spread and often abundant.
Hairy Buttercup
Fruit
Hairy Buttercup Ranunculus sardous
Hairy annual of grassy places, especially near the coast. FLOWERS 15–25mm across with 5 pale yellow petals and reflexed sepals (May–Oct). FRUITS With a green border, inside which they are adorned with warts. LEAVES Divided into 3 lobes; mainly basal. STATUS Local, mainly in the south and in coastal habitats.
