Ranunculus ficaria (Lesser Celandine)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
Often the first of the true spring flowers to come into bloom, Lesser Celandine certainly cheers the soul on sunny days in late winter when the first warmth appears in the sun.
Ranunculus auricomus (Goldilocks Buttercup)
Monks Dale NNR
Via Gellia
A characteristic buttercup of ancient woodland, Goldilocks Buttercup can be found in many White Peak woodlands. The flowers are much like other species but the largely hairless leaves are distinctly kidney-shaped at theit base (not visible in these photos!). The only other tall woodland buttercup is R. repens but that species is hairy.
fruit, Via Gellia
fruit, Via Gellia
Anemone nemorosa (Wood Anemone)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
One of the most emblematic spring flowers in the White Peak, this beautiful species can turn entire wooded hillsides white in April each year. Wood Anemone is widespread in the White Peak and is especially common in undisturbed, ancient sites.
Aquilegia vulgaris (Columbine)
Monks Dale NNR
As a true native, rather than an introduced plant of garden origin, Columbine is very rare in the Peak District. It has several good sites in the White Peak though, at Monks Dale and Monsal Dale.
Columbine is described in the Flora of Dorset section of the site.
Columbine is described in the Flora of Dorset section of the site.
Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)
Coombs Dale SSSI
Elms are a difficult group of trees to identify but I've assigned this to Wych Elm based on habitat and the large leaves. It is by far the commonest species in Derbyshire, especially on the calcareous soils of the White Peak. English Elm (U. procera) and Small-leaved Elm (U. minor agg.) are almost absent from the White Peak.
Stellaria graminea (Lesser Stitchwort)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
In spring, the cheerful flowers of Lesser Stitchwort are a common to Bluebells, and both often grow in the same habitat. It is a common species throughout Derbyshire. It is similar to Greater Stitchwort but has smooth-edged leaves and flower petals which are deeply-divided to beyond half-way.
Tilia platyphyllos (Large-leaved Lime)
High Tor, Matlock
The woodlands that line the River Derwent gorge that runs through Matlock Bath are famous and nationally important for their native lime woodlands, and both our nativ species occur here, along with their hybrids. This hybridisation can make it difficult to identify individual specimens, and even the two parent species are very similar in many ways.
I've assigned the photos here to Large-leaved Lime, based on the downy leaf undersides with prominent side veins and the round fruits. Small-leaved Lime has oval fruits and rusty hairs in the vein axils.
I've assigned the photos here to Large-leaved Lime, based on the downy leaf undersides with prominent side veins and the round fruits. Small-leaved Lime has oval fruits and rusty hairs in the vein axils.
Viola riviniana (Common Dog-violet)
image coming soon!
By far the commonest Viola species in Derbyshire, this plant is described in the Flora of Dorset section of the site.
Viola reichenbachiana (Early Dog-violet)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
This fairly uncommon Derbyshire species is similar to Common Dog-violet but can be recognised by the straight, pointed spur on the central of the three lower petals.
Many sites for this species are in woods and scrub in the White Peak but it does occur elsewhere in the county on non-calcareous soils.
Many sites for this species are in woods and scrub in the White Peak but it does occur elsewhere in the county on non-calcareous soils.
Cardamine impatiens (Narrow-leaved Bitter-cress)
Monks Dale NNR
This rare species is one of the specialities of the White Peak woodlands, although it is also found sparingly in other areas of the county. In Britain, this species is classified as Nationally Threatened. It grows in rocky, humid parts of the woodlands and grows as a handsome plant to over 50cm tall.
C. impatiens can be identified by its strongly-toothed leaflets and prominent leaf stipules where the leaves join the stem. The insignificant flowers often lack petals.
C. impatiens can be identified by its strongly-toothed leaflets and prominent leaf stipules where the leaves join the stem. The insignificant flowers often lack petals.
Pyrola minor (Common Wintergreen)
Monsal Dale
Common Wintergreen is far from common in Derbyshire, with recent records from on ly seven tetrads in the county. Five of these are in the White Peak, centred on the Monsal Dale area.
When encountered in flower, the tall spikes with globular flowers are very distinctive.
When encountered in flower, the tall spikes with globular flowers are very distinctive.
Primula vulgaris (Primrose)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
This beautiful plant needs little introduction. Few other species are as emblematic of spring than the Primrose, although it is not an especially common species in Derbyshire and has no doubt suffered from habitat destruction over the last century.
Ribes alpinum (Mountain Currant)
Monks Dale NNR
One of the special plants of the White Peak woodlands, Mountain Currant is more abundant here than anywhere else in Britain - it is classified as Nationally Scarce. In favoured sites in Derbyshire, though, it can be locally abundant and forms impressive draping curtains over woodland crags, or grows as scattered tall shrubs.
Despite its name, in Britain at least, Mountain Currant is actually a lowland species. The highest known altitude plants are in the White Peak.
Identifying Mountain Currant is easy - it has typical trilobed currant foliage and red berries, but these are on female plants and held in erect clusters. In spring, the flower bracts are seen to be very long.
Despite its name, in Britain at least, Mountain Currant is actually a lowland species. The highest known altitude plants are in the White Peak.
Identifying Mountain Currant is easy - it has typical trilobed currant foliage and red berries, but these are on female plants and held in erect clusters. In spring, the flower bracts are seen to be very long.
Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)
Slinter Wood, Via Gellia
Well known as a garden plant, Gooseberry is a long-naturalised species in Britain and in some White Peak woodlands can be a dominant understorey shrub on rocky slopes - this is especially true in the Via Gellia, where they make a thorny obstacle to the exploring botanist!
When the distinctive fruits are absent, Gooseberry can be identified by its spiny stems (no other currants in Britain are spiny), combined with the typical currant foliage.
When the distinctive fruits are absent, Gooseberry can be identified by its spiny stems (no other currants in Britain are spiny), combined with the typical currant foliage.
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium (Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
This common species is described in the Flora of Ben Lawers section of the site.
Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)
Lathkill Dale NNR
Coombs Dale SSSI
Blackthorn is often the first native shrub to flower in the White Peak, and its abundant white flowers are a sure sign that spring has started.
Although the flowers are very similar to other related species like Hawthorn, they always appear before the leaves on Blackthorn, from early March or even late February. The distinctive dark fruits with a pale bloom appear in the autumn and are a vital food source for a wide range of animals.
Blackthorn occurs throughout Derbyshire and is only absent from the acid moorland of the High Peak and far west of the county.
Although the flowers are very similar to other related species like Hawthorn, they always appear before the leaves on Blackthorn, from early March or even late February. The distinctive dark fruits with a pale bloom appear in the autumn and are a vital food source for a wide range of animals.
Blackthorn occurs throughout Derbyshire and is only absent from the acid moorland of the High Peak and far west of the county.
Prunus padus (Bird Cherry)
Monks Dale NNR
Damp, shady woodland is the favoured habitat of this variable shrub or tree. Its foliage resembles other Prunus species (elliptical and finely-toothed) and subtle features are needed to identify it: Bird Cherry has red glands on the leaf stalks, its flowers are borne in long racemes and each flower has toothed petals. In autumn, it bears small black fruits.
In the White Peak, the most similar species is Wild Cherry (P. avium), which differs in its leaves which have downy undersides, flowers in umbels and red fruits.
In the White Peak, the most similar species is Wild Cherry (P. avium), which differs in its leaves which have downy undersides, flowers in umbels and red fruits.
Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
This very common tree is described in the Flora of the Dark Peak section of the site.
Rubus idaeus (Raspberry)
Coombs Dale SSSI
A familiar plant to many, Raspberry is a common native shrub in the White Peak woodlands, and througout Derbyshire as a whole. When the fruits are present, it cannot be confused with any other species, but if they are absent the leaves must be looked at. Raspberry has white undersides to the leaves. The leaves themselves are pinnate, unlike our other natve Rubus species.
Geum rivale (Water Avens)
Monks Dale NNR
As its name suggests, this attractive perennial is a plant of permanently damp or wet habitats. It is by no means restricted to woodland, and will happily grow in more open areas if there is enough assured moisture.
In Derbyshire, this species is almost entirely restricted to the White Peak, where it is widespread at lower elevations. Identifying Water Avens is very easy if the flowers are present - no other Derbyshire flower has drooping, orange-pink flowers with purple sepals.
In Derbyshire, this species is almost entirely restricted to the White Peak, where it is widespread at lower elevations. Identifying Water Avens is very easy if the flowers are present - no other Derbyshire flower has drooping, orange-pink flowers with purple sepals.
Geum urbanum (Wood Avens)
Monks Dale NNR
Unlike Water Avens (above), this species is very common across Derbyshire, apart from the high gritstone moors, and can be a persistent garden weed if it gets established. The narrow-based yellow petals and pinnate foliage make it easy to identify.
Despite its common name, Wood Avens grows in open habitats as well as woodland.
Despite its common name, Wood Avens grows in open habitats as well as woodland.
Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
Via Gellia
Commonly grown in gardens as an ornamental, Dogwood is also a native shrub of the White Peak woodlands (and elsewhere in Derbyshire).
Dogwood is easy to recognise in the field by its distinctive oval, untoothed leaves which have very prominent veins which meet at the leaf tip.
Dogwood is easy to recognise in the field by its distinctive oval, untoothed leaves which have very prominent veins which meet at the leaf tip.
Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
Via Gellia
Spindle is a rather rare shrub or small tree of old, calcareous woodland in the White Peak. It is common on the Magnesian Limestone in the east of the county, but coming across it in the White Peak is always a very pleasant surprise.
Spindle can be recognised by its four-angled twigs, finely-toothed leaves and small cymes of flowers (or bright pink fruits in the autumn).
Spindle can be recognised by its four-angled twigs, finely-toothed leaves and small cymes of flowers (or bright pink fruits in the autumn).
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Bradford Dale
Coombs Dale SSSI
Text coming soon!
Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)
Monks Dale NNR
Text coming soon!
Pimpinella major (Greater Burnet-saxifrage)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
This attractive woodland umbellifer is more common in the MIdlands than anywhere else in Britain. In Derbyshire, it is largely restricted to limestone areas and in widespread in the White Peak. Here, it grows on heavy soils which retain moisture throughout the year, although it is not restricted to woodland.
Identifying P. major involved looking at the leaves - they are all singly-pinnate, with deeply-toothed lobes and a characteristic dark green, glossy appearance. The related P. saxifraga is a plant of dry grassland with very different, paler green basal leaves and very finely-divided stem leaves.
Identifying P. major involved looking at the leaves - they are all singly-pinnate, with deeply-toothed lobes and a characteristic dark green, glossy appearance. The related P. saxifraga is a plant of dry grassland with very different, paler green basal leaves and very finely-divided stem leaves.
Sanicula europaea (Sanicle)
Monks Dale NNR
Sanicle is a beautiful plant, characteristic of damp, undisturbed woodland. Apart from the unusual globular flower umbels, the most striking feature is the very glossy foliage, which makes it an easy species to identify.
Sanicle is found at scattered sites across Derbyshire and most common on the Magnesian Limestone in the east. In the White Peak it is widely-distributed but not especially common in any one spot.
leaves
Sanicle is found at scattered sites across Derbyshire and most common on the Magnesian Limestone in the east. In the White Peak it is widely-distributed but not especially common in any one spot.
leaves
Myosotis sylvaticus (Wood Forget-me-Not)
Via Gellia
Text coming soon!
Ajuga reptans (Bugle)
Monks Dale NNR
Veronica chamedrys (Germander Speedwell)
Via Gellia
One of the commonest British Veronica species, this widespread species grows in both grassland and woodland.
Plants in grassland are easily distinguished by their broad, toothed leaves, but woodland plants need to be carefully separated from the very similar Wood Speedwell (see below). Features unique to Germander Speedwell are the two rows of long white hairs on opposite sides of the stems and its virtually stalkess leaves. The fruits of the two species are also distinctive.
Plants in grassland are easily distinguished by their broad, toothed leaves, but woodland plants need to be carefully separated from the very similar Wood Speedwell (see below). Features unique to Germander Speedwell are the two rows of long white hairs on opposite sides of the stems and its virtually stalkess leaves. The fruits of the two species are also distinctive.
Veronica montana (Wood Speedwell)
Monks Dale NNR
Text coming soon!
Campanula latifolia (Giant Bellflower)
Monks Dale NNR
This beautiful, statuesque species is rare in Derbyshire, and always a nice find. It is occurs across much of the county, but generally in small quantity in ancient, undisturbed habitats. It grows in damp woodland, although it can persist in open, cleared habitats, such as in meadows at the head of Monks Dale.
In the White Peak, this species can grow with the rarer, more lime-loving Nettle-leaved Bellflower (C. trachelium). They are rather similar and differ in subtle features: C. trachelium has a sharply-angled stem (with bristly, rather than downy hairs), basal leaves with cordate bases (Giant Bellflower has leaf bases which taper gradually into the stalk) and are sharply-toothed, and bears its flowers in a leafy, branched panicle. The individual flowers are smaller and more deeply-coloured than those of Giant Bellflower.
leaf base detail
In the White Peak, this species can grow with the rarer, more lime-loving Nettle-leaved Bellflower (C. trachelium). They are rather similar and differ in subtle features: C. trachelium has a sharply-angled stem (with bristly, rather than downy hairs), basal leaves with cordate bases (Giant Bellflower has leaf bases which taper gradually into the stalk) and are sharply-toothed, and bears its flowers in a leafy, branched panicle. The individual flowers are smaller and more deeply-coloured than those of Giant Bellflower.
leaf base detail
Campanula trachelium (Nettle-leaved Bellflower)
Coombs Dale SSSI
cordate leaf bases and sharply-toothed margins
leaf base detail and bristly-hairy stems
leafy flower panicle, Monks Dale NNR
This lovely species is described with its close cousin, Giant Bellflower, above.
In the White Peak, it is a more frequent sight than Giant Bellflower (in my experience), but often grows as scattered individuals. The one exception to this I have seen is in Monks Dale, where the two species grow abundantly alongside each other. This site holds the highest-altitude population of C. trachelium anywhere in Britain, and also one of the most northerly populations.
Cressbrook Dale NNR
In the White Peak, it is a more frequent sight than Giant Bellflower (in my experience), but often grows as scattered individuals. The one exception to this I have seen is in Monks Dale, where the two species grow abundantly alongside each other. This site holds the highest-altitude population of C. trachelium anywhere in Britain, and also one of the most northerly populations.
Cressbrook Dale NNR
Galium odoratum (Woodruff)
Monks Dale NNR
Woodruff is a beautiful plant of ancient woodland (and hedgerows). It is not especially common in Derbyshire, although it is known from lowland sites in all areas of the county.
The base-rich soils of the White Peak woodlands are much to its liking, and it can form extensive colonies at given sites. Even out of flower, the glossy, whorled foliage makes it an easy species to identify.
The base-rich soils of the White Peak woodlands are much to its liking, and it can form extensive colonies at given sites. Even out of flower, the glossy, whorled foliage makes it an easy species to identify.
Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose)
Great Shacklow Wood
image coming soon!
flowers, Cressbrook Dale NNR
Cressbrook Dale NNR
Guelder Rose is a beautiful woodland shrub that is widespread in the White Peak, as well as in most other parts of Derbyshire where suitable habitat exists.
The foliage resembles Field Maple (see above) but the lobes are sharply-toothed. In flower and fruit, no confusion is possible - Guelder Rose has flat, umbel-like inflorescences which bear two types of flowers: the larger, outer ones are sterile, while the smaller inner ones are fertile. In autumn, beautiful shiny red berries appear in clusters.
The foliage resembles Field Maple (see above) but the lobes are sharply-toothed. In flower and fruit, no confusion is possible - Guelder Rose has flat, umbel-like inflorescences which bear two types of flowers: the larger, outer ones are sterile, while the smaller inner ones are fertile. In autumn, beautiful shiny red berries appear in clusters.
Adoxa moschatellina (Moschatel)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
Moschatel is an unsual spring-flowering plant that is easily-overlooked. Its other name of Town-hall Clock describes the unusual inflorescence, which has one flower facing outwards in each compass direction as well as one facing upwards.
The flowering stem bears two trifoliate, fleshy leaves with another pair emerging from the base of the plant.
Moschatel is widespread in calcareous parts of Derbyshire, where it grows on damp, rich soil.
The flowering stem bears two trifoliate, fleshy leaves with another pair emerging from the base of the plant.
Moschatel is widespread in calcareous parts of Derbyshire, where it grows on damp, rich soil.
Dipsacus pilosus (Small Teasel)
Coombs Dale SSSI
Small Teasel is a handsome plant that is very easy to recognise. The common name describes the flowerheads, rather than the size of the plant as a whole, which can grow to well over a metre tall.
Like the more familiar Wild Teasel, this species is a biennial plant. The leaves are much less prickly than Wild Teasel and the globular flowerheads are white, rather than pale purple. It favours damper habitats than Wild Teasel, such shaded riverbanks and damp depressions in open woodlands. Where it occurs, it can be quite abundant, but in Derbyshire as a whole, it is a rare species, with only around a dozen modern records.
Arum maculatum (Lords-and-Ladies / Cuckoo Pint)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
A common and familiar sight in damp woodlands across the country, this species is widespread in lowland areas of the White Peak, as well as throughout the south of the county. No other native species resembles it - the spotted spathe (hence the scientific name) and spike of bright berries in autumn give it a unique appearance.
Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Hopton Quarry NR
One of Derbyshire's most beautiful plants, this famous species is a rare sight on wooded limestone crags. Formerly, it was much more common but suffered badly from over-collection in the past. At one site, Coombs Dale, where the plant is now extinct, huge quantities were once collected to be shipped by train to local cities in the spring as cut flowers.
Lily-of-the Valley still has decent populations at some sites, especially in the Via Gellia, where in some places it grows right down to the road's edge.
Lily-of-the Valley still has decent populations at some sites, especially in the Via Gellia, where in some places it grows right down to the road's edge.
Paris quadrifolia (Herb-Paris)
Monks Dale NNR
This stunning plant is only found in ancient woodland and is a rare, treasured species in the White Peak, known from only three sites. The best of these is in Monk's Dale, where it carpets the rocky woodland in late spring. In Derbyshire as a whole, Herb-Paris is only known from the White Peak and two sites on the Magnesian Limestone.
The unusual flowers and foliage make Herb-Paris a very easy species to recognise. In autumn, each flower is replaced by a purple-black fruit.
The unusual flowers and foliage make Herb-Paris a very easy species to recognise. In autumn, each flower is replaced by a purple-black fruit.
Gagea lutea (Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem)
in habitat, Cressbrook Dale NNR
Although reasonably widespread in damp woods in the White Peak (although rare at any one site), Gagea is an extremely difficult plant to spot, especially since it seems very reluctant to flower.
Vegetatively, the leaves resembles those of bluebells but are thinner and more grass-like.
Vegetatively, the leaves resembles those of bluebells but are thinner and more grass-like.
Neottia nidus-avis (Bird's-nest Orchid)
Great Shacklow Wood
Bird's-nest Orchid is a very unusual species, as it is saprophytic, deriving all its nutrition from decaying plant matter. It is utterly unmistakable when seen, although this is not easy as the plant is very rare in Derbyshire.
Plants flower in late spring and early summer, appearing as a pale brown, rather tall spike of twenty or so hooded flowers, which are pollinated by flies.
Plants flower in late spring and early summer, appearing as a pale brown, rather tall spike of twenty or so hooded flowers, which are pollinated by flies.
Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)
below High Tor, Matlock
Coombs Dale SSSI
Derbyshire's only widespread woodland orchid, this species grown in dappled shade on dry, rocky soils. The subtly-coloured flowers are attractive when viewed closely, although the plants themselves are easily overlooked when growing in scrubby undergrowth as their overall colouration is green. The easiest way to spot them is to look for the broad, deeply-ribbed ovate leaves.
Woodland Grasses & Sedges
Carex sylvatica (Wood Sedge)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
The only woodland sedge in most of Derbyshire, C. sylvatica is an attactive, often small species.
In Derbyshire, it is especially frequent in the White Peak and Peak Fringe woodlands although it is not a calcicole. Its close relative, C.strigosa, is extremely rare here and does not occur in the White Peak.
In Derbyshire, it is especially frequent in the White Peak and Peak Fringe woodlands although it is not a calcicole. Its close relative, C.strigosa, is extremely rare here and does not occur in the White Peak.
Carex digitata (Fingered Sedge)
Coombs Dale SSSI
This very special, rare sedge is found is a few, select locations in the White Peak, where it grows on thin soils overlying limestone rock ledges in open woodland.
Its thin stature and small size mean it is easily overlooked. When in fruit, the shape of the inflorescence is very characteristic. Only C.ornithopoda looks similar in Derbyshire, although its inflorescence has shorter, closer spikes.
Its thin stature and small size mean it is easily overlooked. When in fruit, the shape of the inflorescence is very characteristic. Only C.ornithopoda looks similar in Derbyshire, although its inflorescence has shorter, closer spikes.
Elymus caninus (Bearded Couch)
Coombs Dale SSSI
This medium-sized grass is a typical species of damp, limestone woodland in the White Peak. It grows up to around a metre tall, and is conspicuous with its long-awned flowers with sessile spikelets. This feature, and the overall hairless nature of the stem and leaves help to separate it from the common Brachypodium sylvaticum, which looks superficially similar.
Lovers' Walk, Matlock Bath
Lovers' Walk, Matlock Bath
Melica uniflora (Wood Melick)
Monks Dale NNR
in habitat, Lovers' Walk Matlock Bath
Wood Melick is a rare species in the White Peak - it is much more common further east in Derbyshire. It is a grass of shady woodland, where it favours rocky sites.
Wood Melick is an easy species to recognise when the flower spikes are present - these have quite distant branches, each with one or two flowers.
Lovers' Walk, Matlock Bath
Wood Melick is an easy species to recognise when the flower spikes are present - these have quite distant branches, each with one or two flowers.
Lovers' Walk, Matlock Bath
Melica nutans (Mountain Melick)
below Topley Pike
This attractive species is very rare in Derbyshire. Like Wood Melick, it favours rocky sites but is able to tolerate brighter conditions and will grow in scrub, as well as woodland. It is a strict calcicole and only grows on limestone. In appearance, it is very distinctive once seen, with nodding (hence the scientific name) flower spikes with individual flowers all in a line - the spike is unbranched, quite unlike Wood Melick.
Mountain Melick is a plant of northern Britain and is one of suite of plants that reach their south-eastern limit here in Derbyshire (such as Globeflower and Cloudberry).
Mountain Melick is a plant of northern Britain and is one of suite of plants that reach their south-eastern limit here in Derbyshire (such as Globeflower and Cloudberry).
Polystichum aculeatum (Hard Shield-fern)
Monks Dale NNR
Hard Shield-fern is the more common of the two Polystichum species natve to Derbyshire (a third hybrid is only known from Lathkill Dale). The common name comes from the stiff texture of the fronds and harsh, stiff spines along the edge of the pinnules. Other key identification features (apart from feeling the fern in the field) are the broad bases to the pinnules and narrow pinnae towards the base of the fronds.
Hard Shield-fern is fairly widespread in the White Peak, where it is a characteristic evergreen species of damp woodland and sheltered rock outcrops. It is rare elsewhere in Derbyshire. The similar Soft Shield-fern (P. setiferum) has pinnules with soft hairs along their edges, rather than stiff spines. It is much less common than P. aculeatum and less lime-loving.
Hard Shield-fern is fairly widespread in the White Peak, where it is a characteristic evergreen species of damp woodland and sheltered rock outcrops. It is rare elsewhere in Derbyshire. The similar Soft Shield-fern (P. setiferum) has pinnules with soft hairs along their edges, rather than stiff spines. It is much less common than P. aculeatum and less lime-loving.
Hypericum sp (probably hirsutum)
Coombs Dale SSSI
Text coming soon!
Festuca altissima (Wood Fescue)
Lover's Walk, Matlock Bath
The woodlands in Matlock Bath are the only site in the White Peak for this rare grass. Here, it is locally abundant on and around the humid limestone outcrops on the wooded slopes.
The characters of this handsome grass are described in the Flora of the Dark Peak & Peak Fringe section of the site.
The characters of this handsome grass are described in the Flora of the Dark Peak & Peak Fringe section of the site.
Poa nemoralis (Wood Meadow-grass)
Lover's Walk, Matlock Bath
Text coming soon!
Grass sp
image coming soon!
Lover's Walk, Matlock Bath
Lover's Walk, Matlock Bath
Text coming soon!
Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)
Monks Dale NNR
Text coming soon!
Carex spicata (Spiked Sedge)
image coming soon!
Lovers' Walk, Matlock Bath
fruits and ligule, with purple colouration, Coombs Dale SSSI
Lovers' Walk, Matlock Bath
fruits and ligule, with purple colouration, Coombs Dale SSSI
This distinctive sedge is widespread but not especially common in Derbyshire, where it grows in damp, lightly shaded, 'edge' habitats such as woodland margins, beside footpaths and in scrub.
This species has a characteristic fruiting spike with clusters of prickly fruits, although it is very similar to the closely-related and much rarer C. muricata and C. divulsa. Plants must be examined closely to decide which of these species is present. C. spicata has an acute ligule (see photo) with a rim of loose tissue around it and often has red-purple tints in different parts of the plants - these characters are both diagnostic of Spiked Sedge.
This species has a characteristic fruiting spike with clusters of prickly fruits, although it is very similar to the closely-related and much rarer C. muricata and C. divulsa. Plants must be examined closely to decide which of these species is present. C. spicata has an acute ligule (see photo) with a rim of loose tissue around it and often has red-purple tints in different parts of the plants - these characters are both diagnostic of Spiked Sedge.
Rhamnus cathartica (Buckthorn)
image coming soon!
Peter Dale
Peter Dale
Although generally uncommon in Derbyshire, Buckthorn is widely distributed in the White Peak. It grows as a spiny shrub in typical mixed-species open woodland and scrub.
The most distinctive feature of Buckthorn is its foliage: dark green rounded leaves which have curved, heavy veins pointing towards the tip.
The most distinctive feature of Buckthorn is its foliage: dark green rounded leaves which have curved, heavy veins pointing towards the tip.