Like the adjacent churchyard, this grassland is very rich in wildflowers and an important habitat. Here are a few wildflowers and other species found during the survey. To see a full list and get up to date with the verge project, visit NatureSpot's Wild Place feature page for this verge. Click on any header to visit the NatureSpot page for that species to find out more.
Germander Speedwell
A beautiful early summer flower and an indicator of quality meadow grassland.
How to ID: Typically grows to 20cm. Bright blue flowers with white centres, held above the leaves. Leaves stalkless.
Where to see it: Meadows, verges, woodland edges
Similar species: Other Speedwells, but only Germander Speedwell has an upright flower spike with this colour.
Birdsfoot-trefoil
Sometimes called 'Eggs and Bacon' because the petals are red when they first emerge, contrasting with the yellow. It is an important plant for wildlife and is the caterpillar food-plant of the Common Blue Butterfly.
How to ID: Three long pointed leaflets, whorls of yellow pea-like flowers.
Where to see it: Meadows, verges, waste ground.
Similar species: Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil is generally taller, hairier and usually found in marshy places.
Sheep's Sorrel
This small delicate wildflower is one of the minority that rely on wind, rather than insects, for pollination. It therefore lacks showy blooms but instead provides a subtle green-red haze where it grows.
How to ID: Arrow-shaped leaves with basal points pointing sideways or upwards. Flowers start green then turn red.
Where to see it: Meadows, verges, and heaths - particularly with low nutrient and acidic soil.
Similar species: Common Sorrel is larger and has leaves with basal points projecting downwards.
Harebell
This beautiful lilac flower blooms from July to September. It's bell-shaped flowers are on short stems so typically grows where the soil fertility is low.
How to ID: Lilac, bell-shaped flowers. Around 10cm tall. Linear, unstalked leaves on hairless stalks.
Where to see it: Dry, grassy habitats, hills, commons, heaths and banks.
Similar species: None.
Pignut
This small umbellifer flowers in early summer (May-July). It is an indicator species of quality meadow grassland and is also the caterpillar foodplant for the Chimney Sweeper moth - so both are often found together.
How to ID: Typically grows to 30-40cm, with a delicate 'umbel' of white flowers and very fine, feathery leaves.
Where to see it: Established grassland.
Similar species: Other umbellifers, such as Cow Parsley and Hedge Parsley are similar but are generally taller and their leaves not as fine.
Bulbous Buttercup
One of three buttercup species found in meadow grassland. As the name suggests, it has an underground bulb that gives it the resources to flower early in the year.
How to ID: Look for the downward pointing sepals under the flowers.
Where to see it: Meadows and verges.
Similar species: Meadow Buttercup and Creeping Buttercup (neither have the downward pointing sepals).
Lady's Bedstraw
Though related to the familiar Cleavers (or Sticky Willy), it lacks the prickles and has clouds of lovely yellow flowers. When dried it has a sweet smell and was used for stuffing mattresses - hence its common name.
How to ID: Dark, green leaves in whorls, frothy yellow flowers.
Where to see it: Meadows and verges.
Similar species: None.
Field Wood-rush
Though it looks grass-like, its leaves are hairy. It flowers early in the year and like damp soil conditions. It is an indicator of long-established grassland.
How to ID: Short (5-10cm) with hairy leaves and small, yellow flowers.
Where to see it: Grassland, verges.
Similar species: Other Wood-sedges also have hairy leaves but are much larger.
Phyllobius virideaeris
This lovely small beetle is easily over-looked but is part of the huge variety of insects and other invertebrates that form the foundation of the food chain. This image shows the beetle found on the Church Road verge.
How to ID: 5mm. Metallic green or blue.
Where to see it: Grassland and adjacent bushes.
Similar species: Several!
Chimney Sweeper
This day-flying moth can easily be thought of as a butterfly. It breeds exclusively on Pignut so is only found in grassland areas where this plant grows - usually long-established meadows.
How to ID: Black with white wing tips. Wing span 25mm.
Where to see it: Meadows and verges with Pignut!
Similar species: None.
