This verge is being managed to benefit wildlife. Here are some of the wildflowers and other species found here. 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.
Yarrow
Flowering July to October and common on verges and in meadows. The feathery leaves are distinctive.
ID: Feathery leaves and creamy-white dense flower-heads (can also be pinkish).
Creeping Cinquefoil
The name tells you a lot about this plant (if you speak French!). Cinquefoil means 5 leaved and it is certainly a creeper, sending out long runners. It is a very short plant so does best near paths and at the edges of verges.
How to ID: Yellow flowers and 5 leaflets spread in a circle.
Where to see it: Path edges, bare or disturbed ground.
Similar species: None.
Hogweed
The large, white flower platforms provide one of the best food sources for pollinators, bringing a great opportunity to view visiting insects such as bees, beetles and hoverflies.
How to ID: Up to 2m tall. Flower 'umbels' to 20cm. Unique leaf shape.
Where to see it: Verges, hedges, rough ground - likes nutrient-rich soil.
Similar species: Giant Hogweed is similar but much larger (and quite rare).
Yellow-rattle
This attractive plant is a parasite! Its roots attach to those of nearby grasses to feed off their nutrients, reducing their vigour thereby making more room for other flowers. Because of this it is often seeded into new meadows. By July, the seeds are held in paper-thin capsules where they rattle in the breeze. It is annual and requires exposure to winter frosts for the seeds to germinate.
How to ID: It grows to 40cm, has yellow flowers protruding from a capsule. Leaves are serrated in opposite pairs.
Where to see it: Meadows, verges.
Similar species: None.
White Bryony
This attractive climber can reach up to 4m, using coiled tendrils to hold fast as it climbs.
How to ID: Lobed leaves, pale greenish white flowers with dark veins. Green berries turn yellow, orange and finally red.
Where to see it: Hedges, woodland edges.
Similar species: None.
Gatekeeper
Also called the Hedge Brown, this lovely butterfly only appears at the end of June. Its caterpillars feed on various grasses. The adults feed on nectar and will visit many flowers but particularly favour brambles.
How to ID: Golden orange on both upper and lower wings. Two white 'pupils' in the dark eye-spots on each wing.
Where to see it: Meadows, verges, hedgerows.
Similar species: The Meadow Brown has orange patches only on the upper wings.
Common Blue Damselfly
Damselflies can be distinguished from dragonflies as at rest they hold their wings over their body. They hunt small insects and often feed away from water. Their larvae are fully aquatic and take 12 months to grow and develop into an adult.
How to ID: Thin, blue-black body. Wings held over the body. Thick blue stripes on the thorax.
Where to see it: In and around still or slow-flowing water, often in margin vegetation.
Similar species: The Azure Damselfly has thin blue stripes on its thorax.
Speckled Bush-cricket
Bush-crickets are related to grasshoppers but can be distinguished by their extremely long antennae. Mainly active at dusk and during the night, males 'sing' to attract females by rubbing their wings together.
How to ID: Green with tiny black speckles. Antennae longer than the body.
Where to see it: Meadows, verges, gardens.
Similar species: The Oak Bush-cricket has a pale stripe along its back.
Swollen-thighed Beetle
This lovely beetle has become increasingly common and is often seen feeding on a wide range of flowers. The 'Chris Hoy' of the beetle world.
How to ID: 8-10mm. Metallic, shiny green. Males with hugely inflated back legs.
Where to see it: Visiting flowers, particularly Hogweed and Yarrow.
Similar species: Odemera livida is found in similar places but is smaller (6mm) and is a dull, not shiny, green.
24 Spot Ladybird
This small (3-4mm) ladybird is easily missed as it is found in low vegetation. It feeds on various plants - a true vegetarian!
How to ID: Dull red with black spots, often merging together. Fine hairs cover the wing cases.
Where to see it: Rough grassland, especially on False Oat-grass and Red Campion.
Similar species: None.
