Hatfield Forest Summer Wildflower Spotter

Common Spotted-orchid – Dactylorhiza fuchsia Look for our commonest orchid in the grass; they can be lilac, pink or white but have leaves with dark spots. Found in damp meadows and grassy meadows. (10 - 60cm)

Red Campion – Silene dioica These tall pink wildflowers can be found in hedge banks and used to be known as “bachelors buttons”. Flowers have five deeply notched petals. (30 - 100cm)

Bird’s Foot Trefoil – Lotus corniculatus Pea-like flowers, yellow or streaked with red, also known as Eggs & Bacon. A favourite with all pollinators as nectar-rich. Found in grassy places: fields, meadows and roadsides. (10 - 40cm)

Yellow Rattle – Rhinanthus minor Great for wildflower meadows as it restricts the growth of grasses creating a species rich meadow. Erect stems with opposite toothed leaves. Seeds in the capsule rattle. Found in grassland. (12 – 50cm)

Red Clover – Trifolium pratense A favourite nectar source for bees, it is also known as “bee bread”. Our Redpoll cattle love it too! Flowers have rounded heads, with 3 leaflets on upright stems. (5 - 100cm)

Self-heal – Prunella vulgaris This small hairy perennial can be found in grassland. It was once used in herbal remedies – particularly for sore throats. The leaves are simple, opposite, ovate and deep green in colour. (5 - 30cm)

Agrimony – Agrimonia euphatoria Look for this tall wildflower in hedgerows and roadsides. Also called “church steeples”, it has an erect stem with toothed pinnate leaves. The flowers have 5 petals with bristles underneath. (30 - 60cm)

Burdock - Arctium minus The inventor of Velcro got his idea from the sticky burrs on burdock. Burdock can be found at the side of the path around the lake. Red purple flower heads and heart shaped leaves. (60 - 130cm)

Cow Parsley – Anthriscus sylvestris Find this in meadows, standing tall with bright white frothy petals. It is part of the carrot family and a common sight on country roads. Flowers have 5 petals in each umbel. (60 - 100cm)

Bugle - Ajuga reptans Since its flowers aren’t trumpet-like, Bugle is likely a corruption of its scientific name, Ajuga. Bumblebees love it. Find it in damp, shaded places. Flower stalks have opposite leaves which grow from rosettes. (10 - 30cm)

Knapweed – Centaurea nigra This is a tough wildflower also known as Hardheads or Black knapweed. Solitary flower heads 2 - 4 cm, all leaves are hairy. (15 - 80cm)

Germander speedwell – Veronica chamaedrys Our most common native speedwell. Look for the two white stamen sprouting from the pale “eye” in the centre. Leaves are opposite, simple and often toothed. (10 - 40cm)

Water Mint – Mentha aquatica It has hairy, oval, toothed leaves on a square stem. Pinch the leaves on this aromatic plant to release the mint fragrance. Find beside ponds and rivers (15 - 90cm)

Yellow Iris – Iris pseudacorus Also known as ‘Yellow Flag Iris’. It grows in damp soil where water is shallow. It can often be found around the Decoy Lake. (40 - 150cm)

White Dead-nettle – Lamium album A common plant with no sting, but often grows within stinging nettle patches. Look for the white ruff flowers. (30 - 150cm)

Hound's-tongue – Cynoglossum officinale A medium height, greyish, softly hairy plant with quite broad leaves. Found on dry woodland margins. (30 - 90cm)