Primula veris (Cowslip)
Each spring, Noar Hill is covered in thousands of flowering cowslips, making for a spectacular sight. Just as importantly, these plants provide food for the caterpillars of a thriving colony of Duke of Burgundy butterflies.
Noar Hill NR
Erica tetralix (Cross-leaved Heath)
Crockford Stream, New Forest
This common heather of moorlands and heath is described in the Flora of Dorset section of the site.
Narthecium ossiphragum (Bog Asphodel)
This is a common bulbous perennial of bogs and heathland. The yellow flowers mature into orange, pointed fruits after pollination.
Crockford Stream, New Forest
Orchis morio (Green-winged Orchid)
Headley Gravel Pit NR
Ophrys insectifera (Fly Orchid)
Old Burghclere Lime Quarry
Ophrys species are well-known for being superb mimics of pollinating insects, and this species is no exception. The flowers resemble wasps (despite the common name) and produce pheromones whch attract these insects.
Fly Orchids look exquisite and obvious when seen in open ground, but can be remarkably inconspicuous when growing in woodland. They occur widely across southern England, but rarely occur in great numbers.
Fly Orchids look exquisite and obvious when seen in open ground, but can be remarkably inconspicuous when growing in woodland. They occur widely across southern England, but rarely occur in great numbers.
Cephalanthera longifolia (Narrow-leaved Helleborine)
Chappett's Copse NR
Hampshire is the national stronghold of this tall, elegant orchid. It closely resembles the White Helleborine, which also occurs in beech woodland, but that species has flowers slightly less white flowers and broader, shorter leaves.
C.longifolia flowers earlier than most of our native orchids, beginning in early May and finishing by early July.
C.longifolia flowers earlier than most of our native orchids, beginning in early May and finishing by early July.
Neottia nidus-avis (Bird's Nest Orchid)
Chappett's Copse NR
Text coming soon!
Dactylorhiza maculata ssp.ericetorum (Heath Spotted-orchid)
white-flowered form, Crockford Stream, New Forest (all photos)
Text coming soon!
Rhynchospora alba (White Beaked-sedge)
Crockford Stream, New Forest
This species and R. fusca are classic members of the sedge communities present on Hampshire and Dorset's lowland heaths. Of the two, this species is the more common.
As its name suggests, this species has white flowers and relatively short bracts. R. fusca has much longer bracts, brown spikelets and is much rarer nationally, although it can be locally common in boggy pools on the New Forest heaths.
As its name suggests, this species has white flowers and relatively short bracts. R. fusca has much longer bracts, brown spikelets and is much rarer nationally, although it can be locally common in boggy pools on the New Forest heaths.