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Bog Stitchwort

Lesser Stitchwort

Lesser Stitchwort Stellaria graminea HEIGHT to 50cm

Perennial of open woodland, meadows and hedgerows, mainly on acid soils. Note smooth-edged stems. FLOWERS White, 5–15mm across, with 5 deeply divided petals (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Long, narrow, smooth-edged and grass-like. STATUS Widespread and common throughout. Bog Stitchwort S. alsine is similar but tiny and straggling. Flowers 5–7mm across, petals deeply divided and shorter than sepals (May–June). Widespread in damp places.

Burbidge, Brinsley

Wood Stitchwort

Wood Stitchwort Stellaria nemorum HEIGHT to 60cm

Rather straggly perennial with hairy stems. Found in damp woodland. FLOWERS White, 15–20mm across, the petals deeply divided into narrow lobes (May–Aug). Petals twice as long as sepals. FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Oval, pointed; the lower ones stalked, the upper ones sessile. STATUS Widespread but local.

Common Chickweed

Common Chickweed Stellaria media HEIGHT to 30cm

Annual of disturbed ground. Sometimes prostrate. Stems hairy in lines on alternate sides between leaf nodes. FLOWERS White, 5-petalled, 5–10mm across; 3–8 stamens (Jan–Dec). FRUITS Capsules on long, drooping stalks. LEAVES Oval, fresh green and opposite; upper ones unstalked. STATUS Widespread and common.

Greater Chickweed

Greater Chickweed Stellaria neglecta HEIGHT to 50cm

Annual or short-lived perennial of damp, shady ground. Similar to Common Chickweed but more robust. Stems hairy in lines on alternate sides between leaf nodes. FLOWERS White, 5-petalled, 10–12mm across; 10 stamens (Apr–July). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Oval, in opposite pairs. STATUS Local.

Common Mouse-ear

Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum HEIGHT to 30cm

Hairy perennial, found in gardens and grasslands, and on disturbed ground. Flowering and non-flowering shoots occur. FLOWERS White, 5–7mm across, with 5 deeply notched petals (Apr–Oct). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Grey-green, in opposite pairs. STATUS Widespread and common throughout.

StickyMouse-ear

Sticky Mouse-ear Cerastium glomeratum HEIGHT to 40cm

Annual with sticky, glandular hairs. Found on dry, bare ground. FLOWERS White, 10–15mm across, with 5 deeply notched petals; in compact, clustered heads (Apr–Oct). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Pointed-ovate, in opposite pairs. STATUS Widespread and common throughout.

Alpine Mouse-ear

Alpine Mouse-ear Cerastium alpinum HEIGHT to 10cm

Tufted, mat-forming perennial whose stems and leaves bear long white hairs. Found on stony ground on mountains. FLOWERS White, 18–25mm across, with 5 notched petals (June–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Ovate, the bracts having membranous margins. STATUS Local and scarce, restricted to mountains.

Burbidge, Brinsley

Field Mouse-ear

Field Mouse-ear Cerastium arvense HEIGHT to 30cm

Spreading, downy perennial of dry, free-draining ground, mainly on calcareous or gravelly soils. Sometimes forms sizeable patches. FLOWERS White, 12–20mm across, with 5 deeply notched petals (Apr–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Ovate, paired. STATUS Local, mainly in E England.

Sea Mouse-ear

Sea Mouse-ear Cerastium diffusum HEIGHT to 30cm

Low annual that is sometimes prostrate. Covered in sticky hairs and found on sandy ground, mainly near the sea. FLOWERS White, 3–6mm across, with 4 notched petals (Apr–July). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Ovate, dark green; bracts do not have transparent margins. STATUS Locally common near the coast but scarce inland.

See also Shetland Mouse-ear

Water Chickweed

Water Chickweed Myosoton aquaticum HEIGHT to 1m

Straggling perennial of damp, grassy ground and river margins. FLOWERS White, 12–20mm across, with 5 deeply divided petals (much longer than sepals) (June–Oct). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Heart-shaped with wavy edges; in opposite pairs, upper leaves unstalked. STATUS Common in England and Wales; scarce elsewhere.

Upright Chickweed

Upright Chickweed Moenchia erecta HEIGHT to 8cm

Tiny, upright annual of short, dry grassland, typically on gravelly or sandy soils. FLOWERS White with 4 petals, opening only in bright sunshine (Apr–June). Sepals white-edged and longer than petals. FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Waxy grey-green, stiff, narrow. STATUS Local in England and Wales only.

Annual Pearlwort

Annual Pearlwort Sagina apetala HEIGHT to 8cm

Straggling, wiry annual of short, dry grassland and bare ground, usually on sandy soils. No basal rosette. FLOWERS With minute greenish petals and 4 longer greenish sepals that spread in fruit; on long stems (Apr–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, bristle-tipped, with hairy margins. STATUS Widespread and common.

Sea Pearlwort

Sea Pearlwort Sagina maritima HEIGHT to 8cm

Wiry annual that is similar to Annual Pearlwort but fleshy. Found on bare, dry ground, mainly near the sea. FLOWERS With minute greenish petals and 4 longer purplish sepals that do not spread in fruit (May–Sep). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Fleshy, blunt (no bristle). STATUS Widespread but local.

Heath Pearlwort

Heath Pearlwort Sagina subulata HEIGHT to 10cm

Mat-forming, downy perennial with a basal rosette. Found on dry, sandy or gravelly soils. FLOWERS With 5 white petals that are equal to, or longer than, sepals; on slender, stickily hairy stalks (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, bristle-tipped and downy. STATUS Locally common in the north and west; scarce or absent elsewhere.

Knotted Pearlwort

Knotted Pearlwort Sagina nodosa HEIGHT to 12cm

Wiry perennial; stems look ‘knotted’ due to clustered arrangement of leaves. Found on damp, sandy soils; often coastal. FLOWERS White, 10mm across, with 5 petals that are twice as long as sepals; 5 styles (cf. Spring Sandwort, p.34) (July–Sep). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Short, clustered. STATUS Widespread but local.

Four-leaved Allseed

Procumbent Pearlwort

Procumbent Pearlwort Sagina procumbens PROSTRATE

Creeping perennial of damp, bare ground. Forms mats comprising a central rosette with radiating shoots that root at intervals, giving rise to erect flowering stems. FLOWERS Green, petal-less and borne on side shoots (May–Sep). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, bristle-tipped but not hairy. STATUS Widespread and common. Four-leaved Allseed Polycarpon tetraphyllum is a much-branched annual with leaves in 2s and 4s. Flowers are tiny and whitish. Common only on Isles of Scilly; rare near coast in SW England.

Corn Spurrey

Corn Spurrey Spergula arvensis HEIGHT to 30cm

Straggling, stickily hairy annual. A weed of arable land with sandy soils. FLOWERS 4–7mm across, with 5 whitish petals (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules; longer than sepals and drooping at first. LEAVES Narrow, in whorls along the stems. STATUS Widespread but less common than formerly, through herbicide use.

Rock Sea-spurrey

Flower

Rock Sea-spurrey Spergularia rupicola HEIGHT to 20cm

Stickily hairy perennial, often with purplish stems. Found on cliffs and rocky places near the sea. Sometimes forms clumps with woody bases. FLOWERS Pink, 8–10mm across, with 5 petals (petals and sepals equal) (June–Sep). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, flattened and fleshy, in whorls. STATUS Locally common in the west.

See also Strapwort, Fringed Rupturewort, Coral-necklace, Smooth Rupturewort and Alpine Pearlwort

Greater Sea-spurrey

Greater Sea-spurrey Spergularia media HEIGHT to 10cm

Robust, fleshy perennial associated with the drier, upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERS Pinkish white, 7–12mm across, the 5 petals longer than the sepals (June–Sep). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Fleshy, bristle-tipped, semicircular in cross-section. STATUS Widespread and common around coasts.

Lesser Sea-spurrey

Lesser Sea-spurrey Spergularia marina PROSTRATE

Straggling, often stickily hairy annual. Found on the drier, grassy upper margins of saltmarshes. FLOWERS Deep pink, 6–8mm across; 5 petals shorter than the sepals (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, fleshy, pointed; in opposite pairs on trailing stems. STATUS Widespread and locally common around the coast.

Sand Spurrey

Sand Spurrey Spergularia rubra PROSTRATE

Straggling, stickily hairy annual or biennial. Found on dry, sandy ground. FLOWERS Pink, 3–5mm across; 5 petals shorter than sepals (May–Sep). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Grey-green, narrow, bristle-tipped; in whorls with silvery, lanceolate stipules. STATUS Widespread and locally common.

Bladder Campion

Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris HEIGHT to 80cm

Upright perennial of dry grassland on well-drained soil; often on chalk. FLOWERS White, drooping, 16–18mm across (June–Aug); petals deeply divided; calyx swollen to form a purple-veined bladder. FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Grey-green, oval; in opposite pairs. STATUS Widespread but common only in the south.

Sea Campion

Sea Campion Silene uniflora HEIGHT to 20cm

Cushion-forming perennial that is confined to coastal habitats, notably cliffs and shingle beaches. FLOWERS White, 20–25mm across, with overlapping petals; on upright stems (June–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Grey-green, waxy, fleshy. STATUS Widespread and locally common around the coast.

White Campion

White Campion Silene latifolia HEIGHT to 1m

Hairy, branched perennial of disturbed ground and grassy habitats. Sometimes hybridises with Red Campion. FLOWERS White, 25–30mm across, with 5 petals; dioecious, male flowers smaller than females (May–Oct). FRUITS With erect teeth. LEAVES Oval, in opposite pairs. STATUS Widespread and common.

Moss Campion

Moss Campion

Moss Campion Silene acaulis PROSTRATE

Charming, cushion-forming perennial. Found on mountain tops and rocky ledges, but also near the sea in the far north. FLOWERS Pink, 9–12mm across, with 5 petals (June–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, densely packed, giving the cushion a moss-like appearance. STATUS Local on suitable mountains, from Wales northwards.

Red Campion

Red Campion Silene dioica HEIGHT to 1m

Hairy biennial or perennial of hedgerows, grassy banks and wayside places generally. FLOWERS Reddish pink, 20–30mm across; male flowers smaller than females and on separate plants (Mar–Oct). FRUITS Revealing 10 reflexed teeth when ripe. LEAVES Hairy, in opposite pairs. STATUS Widespread and common.

Nottingham Catchfly flower in daytime

Nottingham Catchfly

Nottingham Catchfly Silene nutans HEIGHT to 50cm

Slightly downy and sticky perennial of calcareous grassland and shingle beaches. FLOWERS Nodding, 17mm across; pinkish-white petals are inrolled in the daytime but roll back at dusk (May–July). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Oval; lower ones stalked but stem leaves unstalked. STATUS Local and scattered.

See also Spanish Catchfly and Shetland Red Campion

Bush, Robin

Night-flowering Catchfly

Night-flowering Catchfly Silene noctiflora HEIGHT to 60cm

Stickily hairy annual of arable fields, mainly on chalk or sandy soils. FLOWERS Similar to White Campion but with petals pinkish above, yellowish below; inrolled by day, opening at night, when they are scented (May–July). FRUITS Capsules with 6 reflexed teeth. LEAVES Ovate. STATUS Local and declining.

Small-flowered Catchfly

Small-flowered Catchfly Silene gallica HEIGHT to 40cm

Stickily hairy annual of arable land and disturbed, mainly sandy soils. FLOWERS Pinkish or white, and sometimes flushed red at the base (var. quinquevulnera, see photo left), 10–12mm across; in 1-sided spikes (June–Oct). FRUITS Inflated capsules. LEAVES Hairy, upper ones narrower than basal ones. STATUS Widespread but local and generally scarce. Restricted to unimproved arable fields.

Sand Catchfly

Sand Catchfly Silene conica HEIGHT to 35cm

Upright, stickily hairy, greyish-green annual. Found on sandy soils, mainly coastal. FLOWERS 4–5mm across, with 5 notched and pinkish petals; in clusters (May–July). FRUITS Forming within inflated, flagon-shaped capsules. LEAVES Narrow, downy. STATUS Local and scarce, restricted mainly to coastal SE England.

Cleave, Andrew

Soapwort

Soapwort Saponaria officinalis HEIGHT to 1m

Straggling, hairless perennial with brittle stems. Found on roadside verges and waste ground, and in damp woodland. FLOWERS Pink, 25–35mm across (June–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrowly oval, distinctly veined. STATUS Possibly native in a few sites but mainly a naturalised garden escape.

Ragged-robin

Ragged-robin Lychnis flos-cuculi HEIGHT to 65cm

Delicate-looking perennial of damp meadows, fens and marshes. FLOWERS Pink, with 5 petals, each divided into 4 ‘ragged’ lobes (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, grass-like, rough; upper ones in opposite pairs. STATUS Widespread and common, but decreasing through agricultural changes (e.g. land drainage).

Maiden Pink

Maiden Pink Dianthus deltoides HEIGHT to 20cm

Hairy perennial that sometimes forms clumps. Associated with dry, sandy soils. FLOWERS 18–20mm across, with 5 pink petals that show white basal spots and have toothed margins (June–Sep). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, rough-edged, grey-green. STATUS Widespread but extremely local.

Deptford Pink

Deptford Pink Dianthus armeria HEIGHT to 60cm

Dark green, slightly hairy annual. Found in dry, grassy places, mainly on chalk or sandy soils. FLOWERS 9–13mm across, with reddish-pink petals that have toothed margins and pale spots; in clusters (June–Aug). Note the long bracts. FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow. STATUS Scarce and local.

Corncockle

Corncockle Agrostemma githago HEIGHT to 70cm

Distinctive, downy annual. Associated with arable fields. FLOWERS 30–45mm across, with 5 pinkish-purple petals and long, narrow and radiating sepals (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, grass-like. STATUS Formerly widespread and common but now extremely scarce and erratic because of agricultural herbicides.

Annual Knawel

Annual Knawel

Annual Knawel Scleranthus annuus HEIGHT to 10cm

Yellowish-green annual. Associated with dry, bare soil and arable land. FLOWERS Comprising green, pointed sepals and no petals; in clustered heads (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, pointed; in opposite pairs along the wiry stems. STATUS Locally common throughout.

See also Cheddar Pink, Childing Pink, Alpine Catchfly and Perennial Knawel