Bluebells
The Reserve offers a rich range of plants, and here are just a few to whet your appetite. In the spring, the woodland at the top of the Reserve has handsome displays of bluebells - there is nothing quite so evocative of spring as a carpet of blue amongst the trees.
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In spring, you may also be lucky and find some Cowslips. These were photographed in April. |
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Iris Flags |
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Iris |
In the marshy ground at the top of the meadow by the dipping ponds, the yellow Flag Irises put on a marvellous display. These pictures were taken in June. Amongst the irises can be seen the distinctive spikes of Horsetail. The stem has an interesting structure in cross section:
This picture is in false colour using polarised light to show up the vascular tissue (veins for carrying water). This structure gives the stems a fluted appearance. |
| In the meadow, Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil grows abundantly,
this picture was taken in July |
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| as was this picture of Self-heal on the woodland path
at the top of the Reserve. |
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Greater Stitchwort (May) |
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In the summer months the meadow is purple with Common Knapweed, Centaurea nigra:
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A common sight in the marshy area at the top of the meadow is Water Mint. This plant has a wonderful minty aroma. Photographed in September:
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Also commonly seen flowering in the marshy ground around the dipping ponds in August is Arrowhead, Sagittaria sagitifolia:
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Even late in the year, there are interesting plants to be seen. You cannot miss the characteristic seed heads of Reed Mace:
the seeds are dispersed in the wind attached to fluffy down:
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