Wildflowers of the United Kingdom and Ireland

The Common Dog-violet is so called due to its lack of perfume – the word ‘dog’ being used to mean it was considered inferior to the Sweet Violet (Viola odorata), its close relative, which is quite fragrant. It is often found in deciduous woodland, hedgerows and old pastures ...
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Cuckooflower gets its name because it first appears in April, at the same time as cuckoo. May and June are the months when cuckooflower is in full bloom and, for this reason, many people call it the Mayflower. It is also known as Lady’s Smock and Milkmaids. These pretty, pinky-purple and ...
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Wood anemone is one of our first spring flowers. Like many of our native wildflowers, it is also known by many other names: moonflower, wood crowfoot and ‘windflower’, to name a few. Windflower is directly related to its botanical name derived from the Greek. Greek legend says ...
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The primrose, or “first rose”, is often found in woodland, hedgerows and old pastures. Its pale yellow flowers appear singly on hairy stems and can be seen between March and May before most trees come into leaf. Primroses are unusual as they produce two different types of flowers on ...
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Wild garlic (or ramsons) starts growing underground in late winter and its striking white flowers appear between May and June, contrasted against lush green foliage. Flowers are hermaphrodite (they have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees and other insects. Seeds ripen in ...
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