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

Monk’s-hood Aconitum napellus HEIGHTto 1m

Dark green, almost hairless perennial of damp woodland, often beside streams. FLOWERSBluish violet, 20mm across, helmeted; in upright spikes (May–Aug). FRUITSDry, many-seeded. LEAVESDeeply divided into palmate lobes. STATUSLocal, mainly in the south and south-west. Beware confusion with naturalised garden Aconitum species.

Larkspur

Larkspur Consolida ajacis HEIGHTto 30cm

Downy annual that is occasionally found in arable field margins. FLOWERSBluish, comprising 5 petal-like sepals and a long, backward-pointing spur; in loose spikes (June–Aug). FRUITSDry, many-seeded. LEAVESDeeply divided into palmate lobes. STATUSIntroduced (often grown in gardens) and occasional.

Pheasant’s-eye

Pheasant’s-eye Adonis annua HEIGHTto 40cm

Branched, hairless annual of arable fields on chalky soils. FLOWERSComprising 5–8 bright red petals that are blackish at the base (June–Aug). FRUITSLong-stalked, elongate, wrinkled. LEAVESPinnately divided and feathery, upper ones partly shrouding flowers. STATUSRare and decreasing because of agricultural herbicides.

Mousetail

Mousetail Myosurus minimus HEIGHTto 10cm

Tufted, inconspicuous annual of arable field margins, often on sandy soil. FLOWERSLong-stalked, 5mm across, with yellowish-green petals and sepals (Mar–July). FRUITSElongate, plantain-like ( see pp), to 7cm long. LEAVESNarrow, grass-like. STATUSScarce and declining, mainly in S England.

Meadow Buttercup

Meadow Buttercup

Fruit

Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris HEIGHTto 1m

Downy perennial of damp grassland habitats. FLOWERS18–25mm across, comprising 5 shiny, yellow petals with upright sepals; on long, unfurrowed stalks (Apr–Oct). FRUITSHook-tipped, in a rounded head. LEAVESRounded outline, but divided into 3–7 lobes; upper ones unstalked. STATUSWidespread and abundant throughout.

Creeping Buttercup

Creeping Buttercup

Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens HEIGHTto 50cm

Often unwelcome perennial of lawns and other grassy places. Long, rooting runners aid its spread. FLOWERS20–30mm across, with 5 yellow petals and upright sepals; on furrowed stalks (May–Aug). FRUITSIn rounded heads. LEAVESHairy; divided into 3 lobes; middle lobe is stalked . STATUSWidespread and common.

Bulbous Buttercup

Bulbous Buttercup

Fruit

Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus HEIGHTto 40cm

Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS20–30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals ; on furrowed stalks (Mar–July). FRUITSSmooth. LEAVESDivided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUSWide-spread and often abundant.

Hairy Buttercup

Fruit

Hairy Buttercup Ranunculus sardous HEIGHTto 40cm

Hairy annual of grassy places, especially near the coast. FLOWERS15–25mm across with 5 pale yellow petals and reflexed sepals (May–Oct). FRUITSWith a green border, inside which they are adorned with warts. LEAVESDivided into 3 lobes; mainly basal. STATUSLocal, mainly in the south and in coastal habitats.

Corn Buttercup

Corn Buttercup Ranunculus arvensis HEIGHTto 40cm

Downy annual of arable fields. FLOWERS10–12mm across with 5 pale lemon-yellow petals (May–July). FRUITSDistinctly spiny and bur-like . LEAVES Divided into narrow lobes . STATUSFormerly widespread but now scarce, local and declining because of agricultural herbicide use; regular only in S England.

Goldilocks Buttercup