Paul Sterry - British Wild Flowers - A photographic guide to every common species

Pale Persicaria

Pale Persicaria Persicaria lapathifolia HEIGHTto 60cm

Upright or sprawling annual. Similar to Redshank but stems usually greenish and hairy . Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERSGreenish white, in terminal spikes (June–Oct). FRUITSNut-like. LEAVESNarrow, oval. STATUSWidespread and generally common throughout.

Black-bindweed

Copse-bindweed

Black-bindweed Fallopia convolvulus HEIGHTto 1m

Extremely common, clockwise-twining annual that both trails on the ground and climbs among wayside plants. FLOWERSGreenish and rather dock-like, in loose spikes arising from leaf axils (July–Oct). FRUITSNut-like, blackish. LEAVESArrow-shaped, on angular stems. STATUSWidespread and common. Copse-bindweed F. dumetorum is similar but has much longer fruit stalks (4–8mm). Scarce.

Mountain Sorrel

Mountain Sorrel Oxyria digyna HEIGHTto 30cm

Upright, hairless perennial of damp ground in upland areas; often found beside streams. FLOWERSGreenish with red margins, in loose, upright spikes (July–Aug). FRUITSFlat, broad-winged. LEAVESEntirely basal; rounded to kidney-shaped. STATUSWidespread and locally common in upland and northern areas.

Common Sorrel

Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa HEIGHTto 60cm

Variable perennial of grassy habitats. Whole plant often turns red as it goes over. FLOWERSReddish, in slender spikes (May–July). FRUITSNut-like with a small tubercle. LEAVESDeep green, arrow-shaped, narrow; tasting mildly of vinegar. STATUSWidespread and common.

Sheep’s Sorrel

Sheep’s Sorrel

Sheep’s Sorrel Rumex acetosella HEIGHTto 25cm

Short, upright perennial of bare, well-drained acid soils. FLOWERSGreenish, in loose, slender spikes (May–Aug). FRUITSNut-like. LEAVESArrow-shaped but with basal lobes pointing forwards; upper leaves clasp the stem. STATUSWidespread and common in suitable habitats.

Curled Dock leaf

Fruit

Morgan, Lee

Curled Dock

Fruits

Curled Dock Rumex crispus HEIGHTto 1m

Upright perennial of rough meadows and disturbed soils. FLOWERSFlattened, oval, in dense, leafless spikes that do not spread away from the stem (June–Oct). FRUITSOval, untoothed, usually with a single tubercle. LEAVESNarrow, to 25cm long and with wavy edges . STATUSWidespread and common.

Northern Dock

Northern Dock Rumex longifolius HEIGHTto 1.5m

Upright perennial of disturbed ground, often beside rivers and roads, or near the coast. Rather similar to Curled Dock. FLOWERSPale green, in narrow spikes. FRUITSHeart-shaped, lacking teeth and tubercles (July–Sep). LEAVESTo 80cm long, broader than those of Curled Dock. STATUSLocally common only in central Scotland.

Smith, Don

Water Dock

Water Dock Rumex hydrolapathum HEIGHTto 2m

Large, unbranched perennial, associated with damp habitats such as ditches, river banks, canals and marshes. FLOWERSIn tall, dense spikes (July–Sep). FRUITSTriangular, with few small teeth and 3 tubercles. LEAVESOval, to 1m long, tapering at base. STATUSWidespread but absent from the north; commonest in S and E England.

Scottish Dock

Scottish Dock Rumex aquaticus HEIGHTto 1.5m

Similar to Water Dock but more slender and less branched. Associated with waterside vegetation but restricted to Loch Lomond. FLOWERSIn tall, dense spikes (July–Sep). FRUITSTriangular, lacking tubercles. LEAVESLong, triangular, with a broad base. STATUSFound only along E shores of Loch Lomond.

Broad-leaved Dock

Fruits

Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius HEIGHTto 1m

Familiar upright perennial of field margins and disturbed meadows. FLOWERSIn loose spikes that are leafy at the base (June–Aug). FRUITSWith prominent teeth and 1 tubercle. LEAVESBroadly oval, heart-shaped at the base; up to 25cm long. STATUSWidespread and extremely common throughout.

Clustered Dock