Downland & Meadow Plants
Clematis vitalba (Traveller's-Joy)
Britain's only native Clematis species is described in the Flora of other areas of southern England section of the site.
Viola reichenbachiana (Early Dog-violet)
sepal detail, Valley of Stones NNR (all photos)
Text coming soon!
leaves
leaves
Aphanes arvensis (Parsley-piert)
Valley of Stones NNR
This grassland plant is described in the Flora of Derbyshire section of the site.
Filipendula vulgaris (Dropwort)
Martin Down NNR
A widespread and frequent wildflower of chalk downland in Dorset and across the southern half of England, Dropwort is a lovely plant.
Although not visible in this photo, the best character for distinguishing it from its cousin, Meadowsweet (F.ulmaria), is its leaves, which are finely-divided and rather fern-like. Dropwort also occurs in a very different habitat - always calcareous and never permanently wet - Meadowsweet is a plant of marshy or damp pastures,
Although not visible in this photo, the best character for distinguishing it from its cousin, Meadowsweet (F.ulmaria), is its leaves, which are finely-divided and rather fern-like. Dropwort also occurs in a very different habitat - always calcareous and never permanently wet - Meadowsweet is a plant of marshy or damp pastures,
Hippocrepis comosa (Horseshoe Vetch)
Isle of Portland
This common downland plant is easily found in Dorset, and can be distinguished from the superficially similar (but larger) Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) by its pinnate, narrow-based, hairless leaves and hairless flowerheads.
Although common on chalk downland in southern England, Horseshoe Vetch is uncommon nationally; it is very rare in northern England and Wales, and absent from Scotland.
Horseshoe Vetch is a very important plant for Dorset's wildlife. It is the larval foodplant for several Lycaenid butterflies - the Chalkhill Blue, Adonis Blue and Silver-studded Blue.
Sainfoin (Onobrychis sp.)
Martin Down NNR
Text coming soon
Thesium humifusum (Bastard Toadflax)
Martin Down NNR
Britain's only member of the Sandalwood family of plants, this very small and understated creeping, hemiparasitic plant of chalk downland is a speciality of southern Britain, with a good proportion of its population centred on Dorset.
Thesium can be identified by it hairless leaves and stems, five-petalled white flowers and very narrow leaves. Note that the larger, broader leaves in this photo are those of a different plant, not Thesium!
Thesium can be identified by it hairless leaves and stems, five-petalled white flowers and very narrow leaves. Note that the larger, broader leaves in this photo are those of a different plant, not Thesium!
Polygala calcarea (Chalk Milkwort)
East Weares, Portland
Chalk Milkwort is another downloand plant with its national strongholds in Dorset and adjoining areas. It has typical milkwort flowers and is easily identifed, as it is the only member of the family present in this habitat. It has more intensely-blue flowers than P.vulgaris and differs in having its lower leaves larger than the upper ones.
Pink-flowered form, Portland
Pink-flowered form, Portland
Gentianella amarella (Autumn Gentian)
Fontmell Down NR
This little purple-flowered gentian is widespread on the chalk downland of Dorset. I've described the species in the Flora of Derbyshire section of the site.
Martin Down NNR
Martin Down NNR
Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring Tree)
Martin Down NNR
More a shrub than a tree, ths plant is common on Dorset's calcareous soils. Its rounded, stringly-veined leaves and umbels of white flowers (followed by black, poisonous berries) makes it easy to recognise.
Succisa pratensis (Devil's-bit Scabious)
Martin Down NNR
This species is described in the Flora of Derbyshire section of the site.
Devil's-bit Scabious is notable in Dorset as being the foodplant of the threatened Marsh Fritillary butterfly.
Devil's-bit Scabious is notable in Dorset as being the foodplant of the threatened Marsh Fritillary butterfly.
Clinopodium vulgare (Wild Basil)
Martin Down NNR
Text coming soon!
Euphrasia sp (Eyebright)
Martin Down NNR
Text coming soon!
Orobanche elatior (Knapweed Broomrape)
Martin Down NNR
Text coming soon!
Tephroseris integrifolia ssp.integrifolia (Field Fleawort)
Martin Down NNR
One of Dorset's very special downland plants, Field Fleawort is a rare plant in Britain, restricted to unimproved downland in the far south, as well as across the Chilterns into East Anglia.
This is a fairly easy plant to identify, with its relatively small bright yellow flowers and simple rosette of oval, untoothed leaves which lies flat on the ground.
This is a fairly easy plant to identify, with its relatively small bright yellow flowers and simple rosette of oval, untoothed leaves which lies flat on the ground.
Carlina acaulis (Carline Thistle)
Martin Down NNR
Unmistakable with its creamy-coloured flowers which are reddish-purple and orange at their centres, Carline Thistle is a common species in Dorset and on calcareous grassland throughout England and Wales. In Scotland it is also widespread but has an almost entirely coastal distribution.
Carline Thistle is one of our few monocarpic plants, where each individual dies after flowering and setting seed.
Carline Thistle is one of our few monocarpic plants, where each individual dies after flowering and setting seed.
Centaurea scabiosa (Greater Knapweed)
Martin Down NNR
A tall and beautiful plant of chalk and limestone grassland, Greater Knapweed is easy to identify when its large flowers are present - they have long, divided rays and a shorter, thistle-like centre. These are normally a rich deep pink colour but white forms do occur, as shown here. The leaves bear a superficial resemblance to those of Field Scabious.
Cirsium acaule (Dwarf Thistle)
Martin Down NNR
When not flowering, this very spiny little plant can be the bane of a weary walker's life as they sit down to rest on Dorset's chalk downland! In flower, it assumes a more charming aspect, with typical bright pink thistle flowers which lack a stalk, as the scientific name suggests. These flowers are an important nectar source for late summer insects, in particular.
Hieracium sp
Martin Down NNR
Text coming soon, pending ID.
Juniperus communis (Juniper)
Martin Down NNR
The species is described in the Flora of northern Britain section of the site.
Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
Powerstock Common NR
A common statuesque plant of wet ditches and woodland edges, Yellow Iris cannot be mistaken for any other British plant.
Anacamptis pyramidalis (Pyramidal Orchid)
Martin Down NNR
This lovely orchid is described in the Flora of Derbyshire section of the site.
Orchis mascula (Early Purple-orchid)
Martin Down NNR
This widespread orchid, as its name suggests, is one of the first to flower each spring, in late April or early May. It is described in more detail in the Flora of Derbyshire section of the site.
Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted-orchid)
Powerstock Common NR
This elegant grassland orchid is described in the Flora of Derbyshire section of the site.
Martin Down NNR
Martin Down NNR
Listera ovata (Common Twayblade)
Powerstock Common NR
This common orchid is described in the Flora of East Anglia section of the site.
Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly-orchid)
Powerstock Common NR
This beautiful orchid is something of a habitat generalist in Dorset, just as at home on calcareous grassland as in woodland.
The species is described in Part 2 of the Dorset Flora.
The species is described in Part 2 of the Dorset Flora.
Coeloglossum viride (Frog Orchid)
Fontmell Down NR
Martin Down NNR
Although very widespread in Britain, this little orchid is also very easy to overlook, as its green-brown flowers blend in with the surrounding grasses. It also has a habit of growing as scattered individuals and is seldom abundant in any one place.
Frog Orchid is named for the supposed resemblance of the flowers to little frogs, although I find this difficult to see!
Frog Orchid is named for the supposed resemblance of the flowers to little frogs, although I find this difficult to see!
Spirathes spiralis (Autumn Ladies'-tresses)
Fontmell Down NR
Southern England represents the northern limit of this species' range, although there are scattered colonies as far north as the Isle of Man.
scale of flowering plants
It is an orchid of dry, calcareous grassland with a short turf. Despite their unique appearance among British orchids, individual plants are easily overlooked since the flowering stems are often less than 10cm tall.
Many downland habitats in Dorset have colonies of this attractive plant.scale of flowering plants
Orchis morio (Green-winged Orchid)
Durlston Country Park
Unlike the Early Spider Orchid, this species is more adaptable, and can be found in unimproved damp meadows, as well as chalk downland.
Ophrys sphegodes (Early Spider Orchid)
Durlston Country Park
Dorset is the British stronghold of this small, fairly unassuming orchid, where it still flowers in fairly large numbers along coastal cliffs near Swanage. Flowering is earlier than all other British orchids, peaking in late April.
Orchis ustulata (Burnt Orchid)
Martin Down NNR
Text coming soon!
Gymnadenia conopsea (Fragrant Orchid)
Martin Down NNR
This common orchid of limestone grassland is described in the Flora of Derbyshire section of the site.
Carex humilis (Dwarf Sedge)
Martin Down NNR
Another speciality of southern England's chalk downland, Dwarf Sedge is a rare plant nationally but can be very abundant where it occurs. Its leaves are a distinctive, slightly olive-green colour, quite unlike other typical sedges of dry, calcareous terrain, and in late summer often bear typical Carex fruits.
Heathland Plants
heathland habitat, Stoborough Heath
Nymphaea alba (Water-Lily)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Text coming soon!
Myrica gale (Bog-myrtle)
Studland Heath
In boggy areas of heathland this greyish-leaved shrub forms low thickets. The leaves are strongly aromatic when crushed, hence the common name. Bog Myrtle is most abundant in western and northern Scotland, and absent from most of England and Wales, except for remnant areas of wet moorland and heathland.
Hypericum elodes (Marsh St.John's Wort)
As its name suggests, this plant is very much a resident of damp heathlands, and other wet acidic habitats such as the margins of bogs. It is easily recognised by its woolly, almost circular opposite leaves and typical yellow Hypericum flowers.
It is very much a plant of western Britain, with most populations in Wales, Cornwall and western Ireland. It occurs in scattered populations elsewhere, such as the Dorset heaths and New Forest, as well as other sites in England and western Scotland.
It is very much a plant of western Britain, with most populations in Wales, Cornwall and western Ireland. It occurs in scattered populations elsewhere, such as the Dorset heaths and New Forest, as well as other sites in England and western Scotland.
Drosera rotundifolia
Arne RSPB Reserve
Hartland Moor NNR
The commonest of the British sundews, this plant can be found in many acidic bog habitats across the country.
Drosera intermedia
Studland Heath
Hartland Moor NNR
The second most widespread sundew, D.intermedia has distinctly teaspoon-shaped leaves, unlike the round leaves of the previous plant, and the club-shaped leaves of the much rarer D.anglica.
Intermediate Sundew is local, but widespread on the Dorset heaths, although like its relatives, it has become much less widespread due to habitat destruction.
Hartland Moor NNR
Intermediate Sundew is local, but widespread on the Dorset heaths, although like its relatives, it has become much less widespread due to habitat destruction.
Hartland Moor NNR
Erica cinerea (Bell Heather)
Stoborough Heath NNR
Bell Heather is described in the Flora of Ben Lawers section of the site.
Erica tetralix (Cross-leaved Heath)
Arne RSPB Reserve
I spotted these dew-covered heather flowers one very chilly morning while moth trapping at Arne.
Erica tetralix looks markedly different to the more familiar heathers in Britain on account of its densely hairy leaves, which give it a greyish appearance from a distance.
Erica tetralix looks markedly different to the more familiar heathers in Britain on account of its densely hairy leaves, which give it a greyish appearance from a distance.
Genista tinctoria (Dyer's Greenweed)
Powerstock Common NR
Dyer's Greenweed is so named because it was used in former times for dying cloth a vivid yellow colour.
It is a fairly common plant of heaths and other grassy habitats and can be recognised by its deciduous non-spiny, lanceolate, hairy-margined leaves and flowers which occur in racemes, rather than singly (as in the similar-looking Gorses).
Dyer's Greenweed is widespread in suitable habitat in England and Wales, but largely absent from Scotland, found no further north than the Edinburgh area. A procumbent coastal subspecies, littoralis, is found in Cornwall and Devon.
Polygala serpyllifolia (Heath Milkwort)
Studland Heath
Although very similar to Common Milkwort, this species is easily distinguished by its very different habitat preferences - Common Milkwort is found on calcareous soils, and Heath Milkwort in acidic grassland.
Cuscuta epithymum (Dodder)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Dodder is a parasitic plant that forms sprawling red patches which cover other heathland plants. Its leaves are small red scales on the stems, and, as the plant contains no chlorophyll, it must obtain all its nutrition from its host plants such as heather.
Dodder is the only member of its family amongst the British flora, and is very much a speciality of the southern heaths, where it is often common and conspicuous. Nationally it becomes scarce north of the M4 corridor, and in the last 100 years has disappeared from Scotland and northern England.
Dodder is the only member of its family amongst the British flora, and is very much a speciality of the southern heaths, where it is often common and conspicuous. Nationally it becomes scarce north of the M4 corridor, and in the last 100 years has disappeared from Scotland and northern England.
Parentucellia viscosa (Yellow Bartsia)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Related to plants such as Yellow Rattle, Yellow Bartsia is an annual hemiparasite, obtaining some of its nutrients from surrounding plants.
It is an uncommon plant of damp pastures on sandy soils, most common along the south coast of England (especially Cornwall), but with scattered populations as far north as the Moray Firth in Scotland.
It is an uncommon plant of damp pastures on sandy soils, most common along the south coast of England (especially Cornwall), but with scattered populations as far north as the Moray Firth in Scotland.
Utricularia minor (Lesser Bladderwort)
leaf detail, showing bladders, Hartland Moor NNR
The bladderworts are unusual carnivorous plants named for the air-filled bladders on the stems which trap insects to supplement their 'diet' in the nutrient-poor bog habitats where they are found. There are six species in Britain, all aquatic plants with ferny underwater leaves, and yellow flowers which stand clear of the water on spikes.
Lesser Bladderwort has distinctive small, pale yellow flowers which allow easy separation from other members of the family. (Apologies for the terrible photos - better ones will be taken in the future!)
Lesser Bladderwort has distinctive small, pale yellow flowers which allow easy separation from other members of the family. (Apologies for the terrible photos - better ones will be taken in the future!)
Utricularia stygia (Nordic Bladderwort)
leaf detail, Hartland Moor NNR
This species has larger, brighter flowers than U.minor, and is part of the U.intermedia aggregate of three very similar species.
Its occurrence on the Purbeck heaths is very unusual, with the nearest neighbouring populations being in the Galloway Hills in south-west Scotland! The species is relatively widespread up the west coast of Scotland as a whole.
Its occurrence on the Purbeck heaths is very unusual, with the nearest neighbouring populations being in the Galloway Hills in south-west Scotland! The species is relatively widespread up the west coast of Scotland as a whole.
Potamogeton polygonifolius (Bog Pondweed)
Studland Heath
This is a common plant of acidic bogs and shallow ponds throughout much of Britain, and is easily recognised with its characteristic leaves, although other Potamogeton species can look similar.
Thanks to Fred Rumsey for the ID.
Thanks to Fred Rumsey for the ID.
Erigeron acer (Blue Fleabane)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Text coming soon!
Dactylorhiza maculata ssp.ericetorum (Heath Spotted-orchid)
Powerstock Common NR
This common orchid is described in the Flora of Hampshire section of the site.
Narthecium ossiphragum (Bog Asphodel)
Studland Heath
This common heathland plant is described in the Flora of Hampshire section of the site.
Molinia caerulea (Purple Moor-grass)
Studland Heath
Another terrible photo, I'm afraid! I've included it here for record purposes only.
As its common name suggests, this grass is especially common, and often dominant, in moorland habitats in Britain's north and west. It is equally at home in mountain habitats, or lowland heaths (as here).
Purple Moor-grass is a variable species in terms of size, ranging from diminutive tufted plants to robust forms with leaves over 50cm long and flowering spikes over 1m tall. The common name derives from the purple colour of the flowerheads, which lend a purple tinge to moorlands in areas where the plant occurs in high numbers.
Thanks to Fred Rumsey for the identification.
Rhynchospora alba (White Beak-sedge)
Morden Bog NR
This species is described in the Flora of Hampshire section of the site.
Juncus acutiflorus (Sharp-flowered Rush)
Studland Heath
This common rush can be found across the British Isles, in a wide range of habitats. As its name suggests, it has distinctively-shaped flowerheads, although this photo illustrates these features poorly (sorry)!
The name comes from the sharply-pointed tepals, which surround the flowers. The fruit is also pointed.
Thanks to Fred Rumsey for the ID.