A collection of articles about wildflowers found in the United Kingdom.
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/meadowsweet/
Meadowsweet is a perennial herb that grows in damp or wet habitats, like wet woodland, damp meadows and along pond or river edges. It is characteristic of sites where water levels fluctuate and is absent from permanently waterlogged ground. The common name Meadowsweet derives from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘medu’, which means ‘mead’. It was once […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/foxglove/
Foxglove is a very common plant of acidic soil. It thrives in a range of habitats including open woods, on moorland and heath margins and hedgebanks. It is often found in great abundance on disturbed or burnt sites. The first part of the scientific name, ‘Digitalis’, means finger and describes the plants thimble-like flowers. The […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/yellow-flag/
Yellow Flag, also known as Yellow Iris, Yellow Flag Iris, Jacob’s Sword or Segg is an iris native to the wetlands and marshes of the UK. It is also distributed throughout Europe down to the Mediterranean region and North Africa. This Iris is common across the British Isles, with the exception of the Scottish Highlands, […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/birds-foot-trefoil/
Bird’s-foot-trefoil is a common native wildflower found throughout the UK’s well-drained grasslands. It is known as Bird’s-foot-trefoil as it produces seedpods arranged in a ‘bird’s foot’ pattern and its five leaflets appear trifoliate (meaning ‘three flowers’). Many people know this flower as ‘bacon and eggs’ which refers to the vibrant red and yellow/orange colour of […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/ox-eye-daisy/
The Ox-eye Daisy is a familiar native wildflower seen across the UK in fields, roadside verges, railways and riverbanks. The name ‘ox-eye’ was a flattering name affectionately given to Hera, the queen of Olympian gods in Greek mythology, in the Illiad. Early Christians dedicated this flower to Mary Magdalene which is how the name Maudlin […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/ragged-robin/
Ragged-Robin is a perennial plant of damp places. It is typical of damp meadows and woodland, marshes and ditches. It is a common plant across the UK, however, due to drainage and agricultural improvement of wet grassland, local populations have declined over the past decades. The first part of its scientific name ‘Lychnis‘ comes from […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/marsh-marigold/
Marsh Marigold is a herbaceous perennial found in wet woodlands, damp meadows and along stream banks. It also grows well in the shallow margins of a pond. This hairless, stout wildflower resembles a buttercup (it is, after all, from the buttercup family). However, there are a few features that help to distinguish it from other […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/wild-strawberry/
Wild Strawberry is a member of the Rose family and closely related to the Blackberry and Raspberry. This perennial herb occurs naturally throughout the Northern Hemisphere and grows on woodland edges, hedgerow banks and grasslands where a little moisture and sunshine are present. The name strawberry probably comes from the Anglo-Saxon ‘streowberie’, could derive from […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/self-heal/
The common name “self-heal” comes from the use of some species to treat a range of minor disorders. It’s a very common plant throughout Britain and Ireland, abundant in pastures and lawns, on roadsides and waste ground; typically associated with moist, fertile soils. It dislikes shade and wet soils. Self-heal is a perennial plant with […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/red-campion/
Red Campion provides a vivid splash of pink in spring that contrasts with almost anything else in flower at the same time. Red Campion thrives in a wide variety of habitats including woodland, roadside verges, hedgerows and rocky ground. It is widespread throughout the UK and thrives best in light shade, but can survive in deeper […]
Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/wildflowers/common-dog-violet/
The Common Dog-violet is so called due to its lack of perfume – the word ‘dog’ being used to mean it was considered inferior to the Sweet Violet (Viola odorata), its close relative, which is quite fragrant. It is often found in deciduous woodland, hedgerows and old pastures and is not considered to be threatened. […]
