2001 List

Species found during season 2001, in book order (click margin button to go to plant page) :

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Common name Scientific name Location Notes Reference

Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Occasional in woodland One of our few evergreens p.24/1a

Goat Willow Salix caprea Northern margin of meadows Willows are hard to identify! p.26/3

Siver Birch Betula pendula Waste ground and scrub Familiar tree, with white bark p.30/6

Hazel Corylus avellana Far meadow There may only be one, so get hunting! p.32/2

Beech Fagus sylvatica Woodland Tree with smooth grey bark p.32/3

Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur Very common tree Distinctive leaf shape - and acorns p.32/6

Wych Elm Ulmus glabra Best one is in gatehouse garden Look for the leaf shape p.34/1

Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Very common tree Well known and easy to find p.34/3

Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Overhanging car park area Distinctive leaves - and conkers! p.36/1

Holly Ilex aquifolium Around fringes and in wooded area Familiar, dark green, spiny leaves p.36/2

Common Lime Tilia x vulgaris Classic tree to plant by driveways Pale, floppy leaves with veins p.36/3b

Ash Fraxinus excelsior Common, especially in far meadow Leaves divided into separate leaflets p.36/4

Nettle Urtica dioica Very comon weed Beware: a stinger! p.38/7

Japanese Knotweed Reynoutria japonica Big patch in far meadow A dangerously vigorous weed p.42/2

Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa Fairly common on grassy areas Reddish flowerhead, leaves clasp the stem p.44/1

Broad-Leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius Very common on grassy areas Reddish flowerhead and 'oblong' leaves p.44/3

Curled Dock Rumex crispus Fairly common on grassy areas Greenish flowerhead and crinkly leaves p.44/3a

Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea South margin of meadow - hunt! Distinctive flower in May/June p.54/1

Lesser Stitchwort Stellaria graminea Widespread on meadows Delicate white flowers p.54/1b

Common Chickweed Stellaria media A 'weed' around the lawns Leaves more visible than flowers p.54/2

Common Mouse-Ear Cerastium fontanum Inconspicuous grassland plant Slightly hairy p.54/6

Procumbent Pearlwort Sagina procumbens Between paving slabs, etc. Tiny, sprawling p.56/4

Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris Grassland plant Taller plant, cut leaves, paler flower p.68/3

Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens Common 'weed' Lower plant, broader leaves, darker flower p.68/5

Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria Dark woods, by stream Very early flowering, but distinctive leaves p.68/8

Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis Common on meadow White or pink flowers, April/May p.90/1

Hairy Bittercress Cardamine hirsuta 'Weed' on hard ground Rosette of leaves, pods pointing upwards p.94/1

Shepherd's Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris 'Weed' on hard ground Distinctive triagular seed-pods p.96/2

Lady's Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris (agg.) Occasional in meadow Soft, hairy leaves p.106/6

Dog Rose Rosa canina (agg.) Meadow fringes Beware of the thorns! p.108/1

Bramble Rubus fruticosus (agg.) Meadow fringes Scrambling shrub with dark fruit p.108/5

Raspberry Rubus idaeus Far meadow Free-standing shrub with red fruit p.108/6

Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca In woodland beyond car park The leaves are most visible p.110/1

Herb Bennet Geum urbanum Occasional, e.g. in far meadow Distinctive hairy 'burr' fruit p.110/6

Rowan Sorbus aucuparia In woodland by car park Distinctive leaves and red berries p.114/3a

Swedish Whitebeam Sorbus intermedia Border beyond car park Distinctive leaves with white underside p.114/3c

Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Meadow fringes Thorny shrub with dark red berries p.114/4

Broom Cytisus scoparius Some in woods beyond car park Distinctive leaves and seed pods p.120/2

Bush Vetch Vicia sepium Occasional, e.g. far end of car park Egg-shaped leaflets, purplish flowers p.122/3

Common Vetch Vicia sativa (agg.) Clambering on grasses in meadow Reddish-purple flowers, in pairs p.122/5

Hairy Tare Vicia hirsuta Nearest end of meadow Small plant with tiny flowers p.122/6

Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis A good patch in meadow Distinctive leaves and bright yellow flowers p.124/2

Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus Occasional in grassland Plant lies on ground : bright yellow flowers p.128/1

Greater Birdsfoot Lotus uliginosus One patch in meadow Plant grows knee-high : flowers as above p.128/1b

Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium Common weed on grass throughout Like a tiny clover, but with yellow flowers p.128/6b

Hop Trefoil Trifolium campestre Possibly a few in meadow Pale yellow, clover-like flowers p.128/8

Red Clover Trifolium pratense Occasional in meadow Whitish crescent on leaves, pink flowers p.130/1

White Clover Trifolium repens Common in meadow Small, rounded leaflets, white flowers p.130/3

Herb Robert Geranium robertianum In shade, by stream Leaves turning reddish, pink flowers p.134/6

Enchanter's Nightshade Circaea lutetiana A few on meadow margins (hunt!) Leaves turning reddish, pink flowers p.148/6

Rosebay Willowherb Epilobium angustifolium Grassland plant Very easy to identify p.150/1

Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Occasional in meadow More leafy than above, and hairy p.150/2

Broad-Leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum (agg.) 'Weed' on hard ground or meadow Small, pale pink flowers p.150/3

Ivy Hedera helix Climbs up trees Glossy leaves p.154/4

Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris (agg.) Margin of far meadow Short-lived flowers: look for leaves p.156/1

Ground Elder Aegopodium podagraria Common in far meadow Patch-forming - gardeners hate it! p.158/4

Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium In dip beyond playground Stout, hairy and can grow tall p.160/1

Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum Around woodland area A survivor of past gardens p.170, 307

Common Cleavers Galium aparine Common 'weed' 'Stickiness' produced by hooked hairs p.186/8

Common Comfrey Symphytum officinale One only (?) in meadow Large, hairy plant with bell-like flowers p.188/1

Field Forgetmenot Myosotis arvensis Occasional in grassland Tiny blue flowers - don't step on it! p.190/4

Self-Heal Prunella vulgaris On short grass by car park 'Oblong' flowerheads, dark purple p.198/1

Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica Uncommon in middle meadow Strong smell, beetroot-purple flowers p.202/5

Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara One cluster, far end of playground DANGER! Berries very poisonous! p.206/1

Common Figwort Scrophularia nodosa One plant, far end of playground Inconspicuous plant, a favourite of wasps p.208/5

Ivy-Leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis Less common, grows only on walls Nice plant which you'll need to hunt for p.210/7

Red Bartsia Odontites verna Occasional in meadows Found in autumn in near meadow p.212/6

Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys Occasional on grassland One of the few blue flowers around p.214/3

Wall Speedwell Veronica arvensis Occasional on lawns or meadow Untidy-looking small, leafy plant p.214/8

Greater Plantain Plantago major Common 'weed' Easily identified by the leaves p.220/1

Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata Very common 'weed' One of Europe's most common plants p.220/2

Elder Sambucus nigra Margins of grassland Clusters of creamy flowers, black berries p.222/5a

Daisy Bellis perennis Common on lawns & short grass One of the easiest plants to recognise p.232/1

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara Occasional on grassland Early flowering followed by big leaves p.240/5

Ragwort Senecio jacobaea Grassland plant On short grass, look for leaves only p.242/1

Groundsel Senecio vulgaris Very common 'weed' Quite easy to find, here and there p.242/6

Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense Big patch in meadow Small, pale flowers - stem smooth p.246/1

Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare Occasional in meadows Bigger, darker flowers - stem spiny p.246/2

Black Knapweed Centaurea nigra (agg.) Occasional in meadows Given away by last season's dead heads p.248/1

Smooth Sow-Thistle Sonchus oleraceus Occasional, esp. on roadsides Leaves can be spiky or smooth p.252/1

Nipplewort Lapsana communis Occasional in driveway area Distinctive branched flower-clusters p.252/7

Dandelion Taraxacum (sect) vulgaria Very common and familiar 'weed' Look for rosettes of leaves on short grass p.254/1

Common Catsear Hypochaeris radicata Occasional in meadows Hairy leaves - flowers similar to Dandelion p.254/4

Few-Leaved Hawkweed Hieracium murorum (agg.) Occasional in car park area Grows tall, often solitary p.256/1

Keeled Garlic Allium carinatum Quite a find! By driveway beyond car park p.264/5

Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii Occasional in meadows One fine group in far meadow p.278/5

Broad-Leaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine A bit of a rarity One or two in shady spots p.284/3

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Common name	Scientific name	Location	Notes	Reference

Douglas Fir	Pseudotsuga menziesii	Occasional in woodland	One of our few evergreens	p.24/1a
Goat Willow	Salix caprea	Northern margin of meadows	Willows are hard to identify!	p.26/3
Siver Birch	Betula pendula	Waste ground and scrub	Familiar tree, with white bark	p.30/6
Hazel	Corylus avellana	Far meadow	There may only be one, so get hunting!	p.32/2
Beech	Fagus sylvatica	Woodland	Tree with smooth grey bark	p.32/3
Pedunculate Oak	Quercus robur	Very common tree	Distinctive leaf shape - and acorns	p.32/6
Wych Elm	Ulmus glabra	Best one is in gatehouse garden	Look for the leaf shape	p.34/1
Sycamore	Acer pseudoplatanus	Very common tree	Well known and easy to find	p.34/3
Horse Chestnut	Aesculus hippocastanum	Overhanging car park area	Distinctive leaves - and conkers!	p.36/1
Holly	Ilex aquifolium	Around fringes and in wooded area	Familiar, dark green, spiny leaves	p.36/2
Common Lime	Tilia x vulgaris	Classic tree to plant by driveways	Pale, floppy leaves with veins	p.36/3b
Ash	Fraxinus excelsior	Common, especially in far meadow	Leaves divided into separate leaflets	p.36/4
Nettle	Urtica dioica	Very comon weed	Beware: a stinger!	p.38/7
Japanese Knotweed	Reynoutria japonica	Big patch in far meadow	A dangerously vigorous weed	p.42/2
Common Sorrel	Rumex acetosa	Fairly common on grassy areas	Reddish flowerhead, leaves clasp the stem	p.44/1
Broad-Leaved Dock	Rumex obtusifolius	Very common on grassy areas	Reddish flowerhead and 'oblong' leaves	p.44/3
Curled Dock	Rumex crispus	Fairly common on grassy areas	Greenish flowerhead and crinkly leaves	p.44/3a
Greater Stitchwort	Stellaria holostea	South margin of meadow - hunt!	Distinctive flower in May/June	p.54/1
Lesser Stitchwort	Stellaria graminea	Widespread on meadows	Delicate white flowers	p.54/1b
Common Chickweed	Stellaria media	A 'weed' around the lawns	Leaves more visible than flowers	p.54/2
Common Mouse-Ear	Cerastium fontanum	Inconspicuous grassland plant	Slightly hairy	p.54/6
Procumbent Pearlwort	Sagina procumbens	Between paving slabs, etc.	Tiny, sprawling	p.56/4
Meadow Buttercup	Ranunculus acris	Grassland plant	Taller plant, cut leaves, paler flower	p.68/3
Creeping Buttercup	Ranunculus repens	Common 'weed'	Lower plant, broader leaves, darker flower	p.68/5
Lesser Celandine	Ranunculus ficaria	Dark woods, by stream	Very early flowering, but distinctive leaves	p.68/8
Cuckoo Flower	Cardamine pratensis	Common on meadow	White or pink flowers, April/May	p.90/1
Hairy Bittercress	Cardamine hirsuta	'Weed' on hard ground	Rosette of leaves, pods pointing upwards	p.94/1
Shepherd's Purse	Capsella bursa-pastoris	'Weed' on hard ground	Distinctive triagular seed-pods	p.96/2
Lady's Mantle	Alchemilla vulgaris (agg.)	Occasional in meadow	Soft, hairy leaves	p.106/6
Dog Rose	Rosa canina (agg.)	Meadow fringes	Beware of the thorns!	p.108/1
Bramble	Rubus fruticosus (agg.)	Meadow fringes	Scrambling shrub with dark fruit	p.108/5
Raspberry	Rubus idaeus	Far meadow	Free-standing shrub with red fruit	p.108/6
Wild Strawberry	Fragaria vesca	In woodland beyond car park	The leaves are most visible	p.110/1
Herb Bennet	Geum urbanum	Occasional, e.g. in far meadow	Distinctive hairy 'burr' fruit	p.110/6
Rowan	Sorbus aucuparia	In woodland by car park	Distinctive leaves and red berries	p.114/3a
Swedish Whitebeam	Sorbus intermedia	Border beyond car park	Distinctive leaves with white underside	p.114/3c
Hawthorn	Crataegus monogyna	Meadow fringes	Thorny shrub with dark red berries	p.114/4
Broom	Cytisus scoparius	Some in woods beyond car park	Distinctive leaves and seed pods	p.120/2
Bush Vetch	Vicia sepium	Occasional, e.g. far end of car park	Egg-shaped leaflets, purplish flowers	p.122/3
Common Vetch	Vicia sativa (agg.)	Clambering on grasses in meadow	Reddish-purple flowers, in pairs	p.122/5
Hairy Tare	Vicia hirsuta	Nearest end of meadow	Small plant with tiny flowers	p.122/6
Meadow Vetchling	Lathyrus pratensis	A good patch in meadow	Distinctive leaves and bright yellow flowers	p.124/2
Birdsfoot Trefoil	Lotus corniculatus	Occasional in grassland	Plant lies on ground : bright yellow flowers	p.128/1
Greater Birdsfoot	Lotus uliginosus	One patch in meadow	Plant grows knee-high : flowers as above	p.128/1b
Lesser Trefoil	Trifolium dubium	Common weed on grass throughout	Like a tiny clover, but with yellow flowers	p.128/6b
Hop Trefoil	Trifolium campestre	Possibly a few in meadow	Pale yellow, clover-like flowers	p.128/8
Red Clover	Trifolium pratense	Occasional in meadow	Whitish crescent on leaves, pink flowers	p.130/1
White Clover	Trifolium repens	Common in meadow	Small, rounded leaflets, white flowers	p.130/3
Herb Robert	Geranium robertianum	In shade, by stream	Leaves turning reddish, pink flowers	p.134/6
Enchanter's Nightshade	Circaea lutetiana	A few on meadow margins (hunt!)	Leaves turning reddish, pink flowers	p.148/6
Rosebay Willowherb	Epilobium angustifolium	Grassland plant	Very easy to identify	p.150/1
Great Willowherb	Epilobium hirsutum	Occasional in meadow	More leafy than above, and hairy	p.150/2
Broad-Leaved Willowherb	Epilobium montanum (agg.)	'Weed' on hard ground or meadow	Small, pale pink flowers	p.150/3
Ivy	Hedera helix	Climbs up trees	Glossy leaves	p.154/4
Cow Parsley	Anthriscus sylvestris (agg.)	Margin of far meadow	Short-lived flowers: look for leaves	p.156/1
Ground Elder	Aegopodium podagraria	Common in far meadow	Patch-forming - gardeners hate it!	p.158/4
Hogweed	Heracleum sphondylium	In dip beyond playground	Stout, hairy and can grow tall	p.160/1
Rhododendron	Rhododendron ponticum	Around woodland area	A survivor of past gardens	p.170, 307
Common Cleavers	Galium aparine	Common 'weed'	'Stickiness' produced by hooked hairs	p.186/8
Common Comfrey	Symphytum officinale	One only (?) in meadow	Large, hairy plant with bell-like flowers	p.188/1
Field Forgetmenot	Myosotis arvensis	Occasional in grassland	Tiny blue flowers - don't step on it!	p.190/4
Self-Heal	Prunella vulgaris	On short grass by car park	'Oblong' flowerheads, dark purple	p.198/1
Hedge Woundwort	Stachys sylvatica	Uncommon in middle meadow	Strong smell, beetroot-purple flowers	p.202/5
Bittersweet	Solanum dulcamara	One cluster, far end of playground	DANGER! Berries very poisonous!	p.206/1
Common Figwort	Scrophularia nodosa	One plant, far end of playground	Inconspicuous plant, a favourite of wasps	p.208/5
Ivy-Leaved Toadflax	Cymbalaria muralis	Less common, grows only on walls	Nice plant which you'll need to hunt for	p.210/7
Red Bartsia	Odontites verna	Occasional in meadows	Found in autumn in near meadow	p.212/6
Germander Speedwell	Veronica chamaedrys	Occasional on grassland	One of the few blue flowers around	p.214/3
Wall Speedwell	Veronica arvensis	Occasional on lawns or meadow	Untidy-looking small, leafy plant	p.214/8
Greater Plantain	Plantago major	Common 'weed'	Easily identified by the leaves	p.220/1
Ribwort Plantain	Plantago lanceolata	Very common 'weed'	One of Europe's most common plants	p.220/2
Elder	Sambucus nigra	Margins of grassland	Clusters of creamy flowers, black berries	p.222/5a
Daisy	Bellis perennis	Common on lawns & short grass	One of the easiest plants to recognise	p.232/1
Coltsfoot	Tussilago farfara	Occasional on grassland	Early flowering followed by big leaves	p.240/5
Ragwort	Senecio jacobaea	Grassland plant	On short grass, look for leaves only	p.242/1
Groundsel	Senecio vulgaris	Very common 'weed'	Quite easy to find, here and there	p.242/6
Creeping Thistle	Cirsium arvense	Big patch in meadow	Small, pale flowers - stem smooth	p.246/1
Spear Thistle	Cirsium vulgare	Occasional in meadows	Bigger, darker flowers - stem spiny	p.246/2
Black Knapweed	Centaurea nigra (agg.)	Occasional in meadows	Given away by last season's dead heads	p.248/1
Smooth Sow-Thistle	Sonchus oleraceus	Occasional, esp. on roadsides	Leaves can be spiky or smooth	p.252/1
Nipplewort	Lapsana communis	Occasional in driveway area	Distinctive branched flower-clusters	p.252/7
Dandelion	Taraxacum (sect) vulgaria	Very common and familiar 'weed'	Look for rosettes of leaves on short grass	p.254/1
Common Catsear	Hypochaeris radicata	Occasional in meadows	Hairy leaves - flowers similar to Dandelion	p.254/4
Few-Leaved Hawkweed	Hieracium murorum (agg.)	Occasional in car park area	Grows tall, often solitary	p.256/1
Keeled Garlic	Allium carinatum	Quite a find!	By driveway beyond car park	p.264/5
Common Spotted Orchid	Dactylorhiza fuchsii	Occasional in meadows	One fine group in far meadow	p.278/5
Broad-Leaved Helleborine	Epipactis helleborine	A bit of a rarity	One or two in shady spots	p.284/3