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Species Datapage No 5   

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Species Common Name:  Cat's Ear
Species Botanical Name:  Hypochoeris radicata
 

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A great little bright cheery plant ideal for short grass, rockeries, walls and sandy places as well as Eskers were it's most commonly found over large areas.

Many similar composite / dandelion type species
Management:  Moderate persistence in dry short grassland.  Keep fertility poor, 
Tolerance of cutting:  Being a low grower you won't cut it
Cutting time: None

Edible / Medicinal: 
 

Life Cycle (Form): Low creeping perennial

Flower Height: 4 to 8 cm

Foliage Height: 1 - 2 cm

Flower Colour: yellow

Flowering period: May, June, July, August, depending on aspect

Time to Flower: 12 months

Soil Type: Best in shallow, compact, dry, light soil.  Waste Places, steep roadsides and Quarries

pH Type: Neutral, Alkaline

Moisture: Dry, 

Aspect:  Full sun, 

Wildlife Value: Medium.
 

 

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Species Common Name:  Columbine
Species Botanical Name:  Aquilegia vulgaris
 

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A woodland plant that will thrive in full sun if kept moist. We grow this species along hedgerows and in woods to self seed and spread.

Management:  Moderate persistence in shade 
Tolerance of cutting:  None, except end of season management
Cutting time: None

Edible / Medicinal: Do not consume unless advised. Probably contain poisons
 

Life Cycle (Form): Biennial

Flower Height: 20 to 3 cm

Foliage Height: 5 - 10 cm

Flower Colour: Violet, Blue, rarely pink or white

Flowering period: July.

Time to Flower: 12 months

Soil Type: Most, best in deep dry, light and rich soil.  Wood edges, gardens &Waste Places

pH Type: Neutral, 

Moisture: Dry, Moist

Aspect:  Shade to full sun

Wildlife Value: Medium, Attracts bumble bees
 

 

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sorrel_png04.png (213866 bytes)            sorrel_png05.png (213866 bytes)
Species Common Name:  Common Sorrel

Species Botanical Name: Rumex acetosa

a member of the dock family, please do identify it so you wont think it's a dock weed and spray it to oblivion.
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 See also Sheep's Sorrel
A species of dry, well-drained non-calcareous habitats. Frequent in both grazed and ungrazed grassland or heathland. Species regenerate vegetatively forming extensive patches by producing adventitious buds on horizontal roots.

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Management: Persistence in managed grassland is moderate. To keep Sorrel growing the soil /meadow must be cut once per year and the ground scarified or gap created.

Tolerance of cutting:  Good,

Cutting time: After flowering and seed is set
Edible / Medicinal: Very Medicinal, Not so edible as common herb sorrel, but I like its bitter taste

Life Cycle (Form): Short lived perennial or biennial 

Flower Height: 15 to 65 cm

Foliage Height: 5 - 20 cm

Flower Colour: Salmon pink, great in evening sun

Flowering period: , May, June, July, 

Time to Flower: 12 months

Soil Type: Most, best in moist soil. a true meadow plant

pH Type: Acid, Neutral,

Moisture: Moist, Wet.

Aspect:  Shade to full sun,

Wildlife Value:  Medium,  Attracts butterflies 
sorrel_png01.png (213999 bytes)

 

Not to be confused with Dock weeds