vulgaris Silkily-hairy perennial of dry, calcareous grassland. FLOWERS Purple, bell-shaped with 6 petal-like sepals; upright at first, then nodding (Apr–May). FRUITS Comprising seeds with long silky hairs. LEAVES Divided 2 or 3 times and comprising narrow leaflets. STATUS Rare and restricted to a few sites in S and E England.
Traveller’s-joy
Flowers
Fruits
Traveller’s-joy Clematis vitalba
Scrambling hedgerow perennial of chalky soils. FLOWERS Creamy, with prominent stamens; in clusters (July–Aug). FRUITS Comprising clusters of seeds with woolly, whitish plumes, hence plant’s alternative name of Old Man’s Beard. LEAVES Divided into 3–5 leaflets. STATUS Locally common in central and S England, and Wales.
Common Meadow-rue
Common Meadow-rue Thalictrum flavum
Upright perennial of damp meadows, ditches and fens; favours basic soils. FLOWERS With small petals that drop, but showy, yellow anthers; in dense clusters (June–Aug). FRUITS Dry, papery. LEAVES Fern-like and pinnately divided 2 or 3 times into toothed lobes. STATUS Widespread but local, common only in the south and east.
Lesser Meadow-rue
Lesser Meadow-rue
Lesser Meadow-rue Thalictrum minus
Variable, often short perennial of dunes, dry grassland and rocky slopes; mainly on basic soils. FLOWERS Yellowish, tinged purple, with prominent dangling stamens; in open clusters, flowers drooping at first then erect (June–Aug). FRUITS Dry, papery. LEAVES Pinnately divided 3 or 4 times. STATUS Widespread but local.
Alpine Meadow-rue
Alpine Meadow-rue Thalictrum alpinum
Short, easily overlooked perennial of upland grassland and mountain ledges. FLOWERS With purplish sepals and stamens and yellow anthers; in terminal clusters on slender stems (May–July). FRUITS Dry, papery. LEAVES Twice trifoliate with dark green, rounded leaflets. STATUS Local from N Wales to Scotland; scarce in W Ireland.
Common Fumitory
Common Fumitory Fumaria officinalis (Fumariaceae) HEIGHT to 10cm
Scrambling annual of well-drained arable soils. FLOWERS 6–7mm long, pink with crimson tips, spurred and 2-lipped, the lower petal paddle-shaped; in elongating spikes (Apr–Oct). FRUITS Globular, 1-seeded. LEAVES Grey-green, much divided; lobes all in one plane. STATUS Widespread and common.
Common Ramping-fumitory
Common Ramping-fumitory
Common Ramping-fumitory Fumaria muralis (Fumariaceae) HEIGHT to 10cm
Spreading or upright annual of arable land, banks and walls. FLOWERS 9–11mm long, pinkish purple with dark tips, the lower petal almost parallel-sided (not paddle-shaped) with erect margins; in spikes of 12–15 flowers (Apr–Oct). FRUITS Globular, 1-seeded. LEAVES Much divided. STATUS Widespread and fairly common.
Tall Ramping-fumitory
Tall Ramping-fumitory Fumaria bastardii (Fumariaceae)
Robust upright annual of arable fields and waste ground. FLOWERS 9–11mm long, pink with a purple tip, the lower petal parallel-sided (not paddle-shaped); in spikes of 15–25 flowers (Apr–Oct). FRUITS Globular, 1-seeded. LEAVES Much divided. STATUS Widespread and fairly common only in W.
Climbing Corydalis
Climbing Corydalis Ceratocapnos claviculata (Fumariaceae)
Delicate, climbing annual of woodland
