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

Lesser Meadow-rue

Lesser Meadow-rue

Lesser Meadow-rue Thalictrum minus HEIGHTto 1m

Variable, often short perennial of dunes, dry grassland and rocky slopes; mainly on basic soils. FLOWERSYellowish, tinged purple, with prominent dangling stamens; in open clusters, flowers drooping at first then erect (June–Aug). FRUITSDry, papery. LEAVESPinnately divided 3 or 4 times. STATUSWidespread but local.

Alpine Meadow-rue

Alpine Meadow-rue Thalictrum alpinum HEIGHTto 15cm

Short, easily overlooked perennial of upland grassland and mountain ledges. FLOWERSWith purplish sepals and stamens and yellow anthers; in terminal clusters on slender stems (May–July). FRUITSDry, papery. LEAVESTwice trifoliate with dark green, rounded leaflets. STATUSLocal from N Wales to Scotland; scarce in W Ireland.

Common Fumitory

Common Fumitory Fumaria officinalis (Fumariaceae) HEIGHTto 10cm

Scrambling annual of well-drained arable soils. FLOWERS6–7mm long, pink with crimson tips, spurred and 2-lipped, the lower petal paddle-shaped ; in elongating spikes (Apr–Oct). FRUITSGlobular, 1-seeded. LEAVESGrey-green, much divided; lobes all in one plane. STATUSWidespread and common.

Common Ramping-fumitory

Common Ramping-fumitory

Common Ramping-fumitory Fumaria muralis (Fumariaceae) HEIGHTto 10cm

Spreading or upright annual of arable land, banks and walls. FLOWERS9–11mm long, pinkish purple with dark tips, the lower petal almost parallel-sided (not paddle-shaped) with erect margins; in spikes of 12–15 flowers (Apr–Oct). FRUITSGlobular, 1-seeded. LEAVESMuch divided. STATUSWidespread and fairly common.

Tall Ramping-fumitory

Tall Ramping-fumitory Fumaria bastardii (Fumariaceae) HEIGHTto 15cm

Robust upright annual of arable fields and waste ground. FLOWERS9–11mm long, pink with a purple tip, the lower petal parallel-sided (not paddle-shaped); in spikes of 15–25 flowers (Apr–Oct). FRUITSGlobular, 1-seeded. LEAVESMuch divided. STATUSWidespread and fairly common only in W.

Climbing Corydalis

Climbing Corydalis Ceratocapnos claviculata (Fumariaceae) HEIGHTto 70cm

Delicate, climbing annual of woodland and scrub, mainly on acid soils. FLOWERSCreamy white, 5–6mm long; in clusters (June–Sep). FRUITS2-to 3-seeded capsules. LEAVESMuch divided, ending in tendrils that assist climbing. STATUSWidespread and common in W Britain but rare in Ireland.

Yellow Corydalis

Yellow Corydalis Pseudofumaria lutea (Fumariaceae) HEIGHTto 30cm

Tufted, hairless perennial found on rocky ground and old walls. FLOWERS12–18mm long, bright yellow, 2-lipped; in clusters opposite the upper leaves (May–Sep). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVES2 to 3 times pinnately divided; greyish green. STATUSNaturalised as a garden escape.

Common Poppy

Common Poppy

Fruit

Common Poppy Papaver rhoeas (Papaveraceae) HEIGHTto 60cm

Annual of arable land and disturbed ground. FLOWERS 6–8cm across with 4 papery, overlapping scarlet petals (often dark at the base) ; on slender stalks with spreading hairs (June–Aug). FRUITS Ovoid, flat-topped capsules . LEAVESMuch divided into narrow segments. STATUSWidespread, commonest in S and E England; scarce in the north and west.

Long-headed Poppy

Fruit

Long-headed Poppy Papaver dubium (Papaveraceae) HEIGHTto 60cm

Annual of arable land and disturbed ground. FLOWERS3–7cm across with 4 papery, orange-red overlapping petals with no dark basal blotch ; on stalks with appressed hairs (June–Aug). FRUITS Narrow, elongated, hairless capsules . LEAVESMuch divided into narrow segments. STATUSWidespread and fairly common, including the north.

Rough Poppy

Rough Poppy

Fruit

Rough Poppy Papaver hybridum (Papaveraceae) HEIGHTto 40cm