This verge is being managed to benefit wildlife. On the western edge of the village, the verge is backed by a thick hedge and a few trees which provide additional wildlife habitat. 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.
Goat's-beard
Also called 'Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon' because its flowers close up at mid-day. The striking flowers and eye-catching seed-heads make this a very noticeable plant.
How to ID: Medium-tall with thin leaves. Bright yellow flowers with the green bracts protruding beyond the petals. Produces a tennis-ball sized seed 'clock'.
Where to see it: Meadows, verges.
Similar species: Salsify looks similar but has pink flowers.
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).
Red Campion
This lovely plant favours shady places so is a common sight along hedges and in woodland, coming into flower as Bluebells fade. It is an important nectar food source for bees, moths and butterflies.
How to ID: Around 60cm. Flowers are rose-pink (but can be paler) with 5 notched petals. Leaves oblong, lower leaves stalked, upper short-stalked or unstalked. Stem and leaves downy.
Where to see it: Hedges, woodland, verges.
Similar species: The hybrid between Red and White Campion is pink and can hard to distinguish. However Red Campion seed capsules have teeth curved back on themselves.
Danish Scurvygrass
Ever noticed the strip of white alongside many of our roads in Spring? Danish Scurvy-grass is not a grass but a flower! It is one of several coastal plants that have expanded inland due to the salting of roads and is now a familiar sight along our road edges.
How to ID: White/pink flowers and heart-shaped, thick leathery leaves.
Where to see it: Road edges from March to May.
Similar species: None in this habitat.
Elm
It is a surprise to some that Elms are doing well - but only as shrubs and not trees. Dutch Elm Disease is a fungal infection carried by the Elm Bark Beetle. It is only when the Elm grows large enough to have thick bark that the beetle moves in, killing the above ground growth but not the roots which can then resprout. There are several Elm species but as they hybridise it is difficult to tell them apart.
How to ID: Coarse leaves with the basal lobes mis-aligned (not meeting the stalk at the same point).
Where to see it: Hedgerows.
Similar species: A few other trees have similar leaves but lack the features described above.
Marmalade Hoverfly
This is commonest hoverfly in the UK and has been seen in every month of the year. It hibernates over the winter, emerging on warm days. Numbers are also boosted by large migrations from mainland Europe.
How to ID: Orange and black 'moustache' black bands on the abdomen. Sometimes white bands as well.
Where to see it: Hovering and resting on flowers and vegetation.
Similar species: Many hoverflies have black and yellow stripes to mimic wasps.
Nemophora degeerella
Named a 'long-horn' because of the extremely long antennae found on the male (female antennae are much shorter) - the longest of all UK moths. It is day-flying moth found in May and June, when males 'dance' in sunny spots around vegetation.
How to ID: Bronze-gold wings with a yellow band across, edged in purple. Male antennae nearly 4x longer than the body.
Where to see it: Hedges and sunny woodland edges.
Similar species: The Small-barred Longhorn has thicker purple edges to the yellow bars.
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.
Batman Hoverfly
This attractive hoverfly gets its common name from the dark shape on its thorax which resembles the famous batman symbol. It flies from May through to October and is a regular visitor to flowers.
How to ID: Black with orange spots and a 'halo' of yellow hairs around the body. 'Batman' mark on the thorax.
Where to see it: On flowers such as Hogweed and Ivy later in the year.
Similar species: The Common Drone Fly has similar black and orange markings but lacks the yellow hairs.
Fig Gall
Galls are fascinating! They are an abnormal growth by a plant in response to certain chemicals released by an animal or fungus. In this case, the fig-like pouch was caused by an aphid (Tetraneura ulmi) which then live and breed inside their new home!
How to ID: Upright pouch on the upper surface of Elm leaves.
Where to see it: Elm leaves.
Similar species: None on Elm.
