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

Flixweed

Flixweed

Flixweed Descurainia sophia (Brassicaceae) HEIGHTto 80cm

Much-divided, bushy, hairy annual found on waste and bare ground, usually on sandy soils. FLOWERS3mm across, with 4 pale yellow petals equal to the sepals; in terminal clusters (June–Aug). FRUITSSlender, cylindrical pods up to 4cm long. LEAVES Grey-green, finely divided . STATUSWidespread but distinctly local.

Bush, Robin

Treacle-mustard

Treacle-mustard Erysimum cheiranthoides (Brassicaceae) HEIGHTto 1m

Slender, upright annual with angled stems. Found on waste ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS6–10mm across, with 4 yellow petals longer than the sepals; in terminal clusters (June–Sep). FRUITS25mm long, slender. LEAVESShallowly lobed, narrow. STATUSIntroduced and naturalised.

Janes, Ernie

Wallflower

Wallflower Erysimum cheiri HEIGHTto 60cm

Showy perennial with a woody-based stem and branched hairs. Associated with cliffs and old walls. FLOWERS2–3cm across with 4 orange-yellow petals; in terminal clusters (Mar–June). FRUITSFlattened, 7cm long. LEAVESNarrow, untoothed. STATUSWidely naturalised as a garden escape.

Burbidge, Brinsley

Dame’s-violet

Dame’s-violet Hesperis matronalis HEIGHTto 90cm

Hairy biennial or perennial associated with hedgerows and wayside places. FLOWERSFragrant, 17–20mm across, with 4 violet or pinkish-white petals; in terminal clusters (May–Aug). FRUITSLong, flattened, curving upwards. LEAVESNarrow, pointed, untoothed, stalked. STATUSWidely naturalised as a garden escape.

Hall, Jean

Hoary Stock

Hoary Stock Matthiola incana HEIGHTto 80cm

Downy, greyish annual or perennial with a woody-based stem . Associated with sea cliffs. FLOWERSFragrant, 25–30mm across, with 4 white to purple petals (Apr–July). FRUITSCylindrical pods to 13cm long. LEAVESNarrow, untoothed. STATUSScarce and doubtfully native although possibly so in S England and S Wales.

Sea Stock

Sea Stock Matthiola sinuata HEIGHTto 80cm

Downy, grey-green perennial, the base of which is not woody . Associated with coastal dunes and sea cliffs. FLOWERSFragrant, 25–30mm across, with 4 pinkish petals (June–Aug). FRUITSNarrow, elongated pods. LEAVESNarrow, with toothed or lobed margins. STATUSRare; SW England, S Wales, S Ireland and Channel Islands only.

Winter-cress

Winter-cress

Winter-cress Barbarea vulgaris HEIGHTto 80cm

Upright, hairless perennial of damp ground. FLOWERS7–9mm across with 4 yellow petals; in terminal heads (May–Aug). FRUITSLong, narrow, 4-sided pods. LEAVESDark green, shiny; lower ones divided, the end lobe large and oval; upper stem leaves entire . STATUSWidespread but commonest in the south.

Medium-flowered Winter-cress

Medium-flowered Winter-cress

Medium-flowered Winter-cress Barbarea intermedia HEIGHTto 80cm

Upright, hairless perennial of waste ground. FLOWERS5–6mm across with 4 yellow petals; in terminal heads (Mar–Aug). FRUITSLong, narrow, 4-sided pods. LEAVESDark green, shiny; all lobed . STATUSIntroduced, occasional but seemingly increasing.

Marsh Yellow-cress

Marsh Yellow-cress

Marsh Yellow-cress Rorippa palustris HEIGHTto 50cm

Annual of damp, marshy hollows, sometimes growing in shallow water. Stems upright, angular, hollow . FLOWERS3mm across with 4 yellow petals equal in length to sepals ; in terminal heads (June–Oct). FRUITSElliptical pods, 4–6mm long. LEAVESPinnately lobed. STATUSLocally common throughout, except in the north.

Creeping Yellow-cress

Creeping Yellow-cress

Creeping Yellow-cress Rorippa sylvestris HEIGHTto 50cm

Sprawling annual of damp, bare ground, with solid, not hollow, stems . FLOWERS5mm across with 4 yellow petals twice as long as sepals ; in terminal heads (June–Oct). FRUITSElliptical pods, 8–15mm long. LEAVESPinnately lobed. STATUSLocally common in England and Wales; scarce elsewhere.