Woody plants (pages 2-5): plants with stems made of wood - includes tree saplings and shrubs:

The Woodland Plant Trail Plant ID Guide How to use this guide: This guide covers common plants that we are interested in finding out about in the Woodland Plant Trail. It does not cover all the plants you might find. If you are unsure what something is you can take a photo and post it to our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ plymouthwoodlandproject or upload it to ispot.org.uk START HERE: Woody plants (pages 2-5): plants with stems made of wood - includes tree saplings and shrubs:... with simple leaves, meaning the leaf is entire and not divided into a number of mini-leaves or leaflets check page 2 and 3... with compound leaves, meaning the leaf is made up of a number of smaller leaflets check page 4 and 5 Simple leaves Non-woody plants (pages 5-17) Compound leaves... with compound leaves check pages 5-7 OR if it could be a fern, check pages 16 and 17... with leaves arranged spoke-like around the stem check page 8... with simple leaves:... and toothed edges check pages 9-11... and un-toothed edges check pages 12-15 Ferns (page 16-17): Ferns may have simple of compound-type leaves. Check these pages if you think it might be a fern. 1

Woody plants with simple leaves: Sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus Leaves: Leaf with 5 lobes, described as palmate (like the outstretched palm of a hand). Leaf edges are toothed, and leaf is somewhat wrinkly. Often seen with black tar spots in late summer, caused by a parasitic fungus. Woodland Trust General: Not native, but has grown naturally in UK for centuries. Can grow in shady places and has large leaves and a dense canopy that cast a heavy shade beneath. Beech, Fagus sylvatica Leaves: Oval with a pointed tip. Leaf surface has a crimped or wavy appearance. You should see fine white hairs on leaf edge if you look very closely. Other features: Smooth greyish bark. Distinctive buds before leaves come out they are long, pointed, and orange-brown. Woodland Trust General: A large native tree, the saplings are tolerant of dense shade, and mature trees cast dense shade. Hazel, Corylus avellana Leaves: Feel soft and hairy. Edges are serrated or toothed, and the leaf is wider towards the top, with a thin point at the tip (which makes it look as though the tip has been pinched into a point). General: A small native tree, with pale, often shiny bark. Often has a bushy appearance with many branches arising from its base. Not usually in deep shade. Woodland Trust 2

Woody plants with simple leaves: Oak, Quercus species Leaves: Leaf is longer than it is wide, and has many lobes (meaning the leaf shape is very wavy). Other features: Bark is rough and gnarly when old. General: We have two native oak species - English and Sessile oak. The young trees do not grow well in deep shade and tend to prefer lighter areas. Woodland Trust Cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus Leaves: Long, oval, evergreen leaves, without prickles. They are tough and glossy. Flowers: Fragrant white flowers clustered in long spikes. Image credit 1 General: A non-native tree or shrub that can spread over large areas and shade-out native species. Holly, Ilex aquifolium Leaves: Shiny, tough, glossy and evergreen. They have very obvious prickles when young, but older leaves are less prickly. General: Native tree or shrub common in shady woodlands. Young stems are green and flexible, but become woody with age. Woodland Trust 3

Woody plants with compound leaves: Ash, Fraxinus excelsior Leaves: The picture here show one ash leaf. It is made up of 7-13 mini-leaves or leaflets, arranged in opposite pairs up the stem, with one leaflet at the tip. Leaflets have slightly toothed edges. Other features: Distinctive black buds before the leaves come out. Woodland Trust General: Large native tree. Not usually in deep shade. Has quite an open canopy, so does not cast a very dense shade. Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia Leaves: Similar leaf to ash - the picture here shows one rowan leaf. It is made up of 11-17 mini-leaves or leaflets, arranged in opposite pairs with one leaflet at the tip. Leaflets have serrated or toothed edges. General: Small, native tree. White flowers in dense clusters in May. Clusters of red berries in autumn. Woodland Trust Elder, Sambucus nigra Leaves: The picture here shows one elder leaf. It is made up of 5 7 hairless mini-leaves or leaflets, in opposite pairs, with one at the tip. Leaflets up to 12cm long each. They have toothed edges and a pungent smell when crushed. Woodland Trust General: A native shrub, with corky-looking bark which is greyish-brown to yellow-brown. Dense, flat-topped and sweet-scented clusters of white flowers in May. Elder berries are black, and hang in dense clusters in summer. 4

Thorny plants with compound leaves: Dog rose, Rosa canina Native shrub that grows best in open areas. Has green to purple stems with strongly curved thorns. Fruits are red rosehips produced in late summer. Leaves: Made up of of 5-7 usually hairless mini-leaves or leaflets with toothed edges. Image credit 2 Flowers: Pink, occasionally white, in clusters of 2-5. Flowers in June and July. Bramble, Rubus fruticosus spp. Very common, fast-growing native shrub. Stems green when young but become brown-purple. Has slender thorns. Fruits are the familiar blackberries, found in late summer. Leaves: Made up of 3-7 roughly hairy, wrinkly minileaves or leaflets. The leaflet at the tip is usually larger. Image credit 3 Flowers: White or pale pink. Flowers in June and July. 5

Non-woody plants with compound leaves Wood anemone, Anemone nemorosa Low growing native ancient woodland indicator. Leaves: Each leaf on its own stem. Leaves are divided into three leaflets, each of which is deeply cut. Not hairy. Flowers: White flowers on slender stems, with 5-10 petals. Flowers from March to May. Herb robert, Geranium robertianum Native plant common in many habitats. Leaves: Divided into 3-5 leaflets. Similar to wood anemone leaves but leaves and stem are hairy. Flowers: Pink flowers. Five petals, with rounded tips. Flowers May to September. Wood sorrel, Oxalis acetosella Low-growing ancient woodland indicator and a native plant specifically in old woodlands. Leaves: Clover-like, made up of three heartshaped leaflets that fold down when its dark. Slightly hairy. Flowers: White or sometimes pale pink flowers with 5 petals, which have faint lilac veins. Flowers April to June. 6

Non-woody plants with compound leaves Wood avens, Geum urbanum Leaves: Hairy, jagged-edged leaves. Stem leaves divided into three toothed lobes. Leaves at base of stem are divided into 3-6 pairs of leaflets, with one larger leaflet at the tip. Flowers: Small flowers with five rounded yellow petals from May to August. Image credit 4 Image credit 5 A native plant common in many habitats, up to 50cm tall. Sanicle, Sanicula europaea An ancient woodland indicator. Grows in shady places. Up to 50cm tall with flowers. Leaves: Palmate shape like an out-stretched hand, with 5 7 toothed lobes. Not hairy. Image credit 6 Flowers: Round clusters of tiny white to pale pink flowers, grouped at the end of stalks. May-July. Image credit 7 Pignut, Conopodium majus Native plant of open woodland. To 25cm tall. Leaves: Very finely divided, feathery leaves. Not hairy. Flowers: Clusters of tiny white flowers grouped at the ends of short stalks to form an umbrella Image credit 6 -shaped flower head. Flowers April-June. 7

Non-woody plants with simple leaves - which are arranged spoke-like (in circles) around the stem Cleavers or sticky bud, Galium aparine Very common native plant in many habitats. Can grow up to 1.5m, often scrambling over other plants. Leaves: Rough or sticky (hairs have little hooks and can stick to clothes and even skin). Flowers: Tiny, white flowers with four petals in a cross shape. Flowers from May-August. Image credit 8 Produces the familiar little round seeds (the sticky buds ) which stick to clothes and animals. Woodruff, Galium odoratum Native plant and an ancient woodland indicator. Closely related to cleavers but less common. Up to 25cm tall. Leaves: Smooth, hairy beneath but not rough or sticky like cleavers. Arranged spoke-like around the stem, as with cleavers. Image credit 9 Image credit 9 Flowers: Small, white flowers with four petals in a cross shape. Flowers from May-July. 8

Non-woody plants with simple leaves - with toothed edges Yellow archangel, Lamiastrum galeobdolon Native and non-native varieties. Non-native plant has pale blotches on leaves (see picture below). Up to 45cm tall. Leaves: Hairy, toothed, shaped like nettle leaves but not stinging. Flowers: Bright yellow with a hood and lower lip. Image credit10 Flowers from April to June. Stinging nettle, Urtica dioica Very common plant, grows in open areas in woodland. Up to 1m tall. Leaves: Leaves are rough, with stinging hairs and very obviously toothed edges. Flowers: Often not noticed, the flowers are green-brown and hang in pendulous catkins from June to October. Wood sage, Teucrium scorodonia Native plant found in open areas in woodland. Up to 40cm tall. Leaves: Very wrinkly, and softly hairy. Similar shape to nettles and mint. Image credit11 Flowers: Yellow-green flowers with prominent bottom lip. June to September. Image credit12 9

Non-woody plants with simple leaves - with toothed edges Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata Native plant found in many habitats. In open areas in woods. Grows up to 1m tall. Leaves: Heart-shaped to triangular leaf shape, with a very wrinkly surface and toothed edges. Not hairy. Flowers: Clusters of flowers with 4 white petals. Flowers April to June. Andrew Gagg, Plantlife Andrew Gagg, Plantlife Jenny Wytcherley Dog s mercury, Mercurialis perennis Native plant often covering large areas in shady woods. Up to 35cm tall. Leaves: Toothed leaves which are in pairs, opposite each other on the stem. Flowers: Small green-yellow flowers which are often missed. Flowers briefly between March and May. Winter heliotrope, Petasites fragrans A non-native plant. Can form large patches and shade-out native species. Leaves: Large (up to 20cm across), rounded lily-pad - like leaves. Flowers: Pale pink flowers. Winter flowering from November to March. Image credit 13 10

Non-woody plants with simple leaves - with toothed edges Dog violet, Viola species Low-growing native plant in open areas. Flowers: 5-petalled delicate flowers, with three lower petals and two upper ones. Colour varies from deep violet to white. Leaves: Small heart-shaped leaves with finely toothed edges. Primrose, Primula vulgaris Low growing native plant, in a variety of habitats. In woods, it grows in open areas with plenty of light. Leaves: Clumps of wrinkly, toothed tongue-shaped leaves. Up to 12cm long. Flowers: 5-petalled pale yellow flowers with darker yellow centres. Flowers from March to May. Enchanter s nightshade, Circaea lutetiana Leaves: Broad at base and taper to a point. Not strongly toothed but with a wavy edge. Leaves and stem softly hairy. Flowers: Flowering stems (May to August) with many small white flowers with notched petals. Native plant of shady places. Up to 65cm tall Image credit 13 11

Non-woody plants with simple leaves - un-toothed edges Honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum Leaves: Oval leaves with a rounded tip, softly hairy. Leaves in opposite pairs on creeping stems which are often tinged red. Native climbing plant. Not usually in deep shade. Variable height, to 5m Flowers: Creamy white, pink or pale yellow. June to August. Image credit 14 Ivy, Hedera helix Very common native climbing plant. Leaves: Young leaves are lobed with three points. Older leaves become rounded. Not hairy. Flowers: Round clusters of yellow-green flowers in late autumn but young ivy growth on woodland floors rarely flowers. Image credit 13 Lesser periwinkle, Vinca minor Non-native evergreen climbing plant, established in the wild having spread from gardens. Up to 1m tall. Leaves: Glossy leaves that are in pairs, opposite each other on the stem. Not hairy. Flowers: Distinctive lilac-purple flowers with blunt petals. Image credit 15 12

Non-woody plants with simple leaves - un-toothed edges Red campion, Silene dioica Very common native plant in many habitats. Grows in light patches in woods. Up to 1m tall. Leaves: Oval leaves with a pointed tip. Leaves feel furry due to the many soft hairs covering the leaves and stem Flowers: Pale to deep pink, flowers from April-October. Andrew Gagg, Plantlife Jenny Wytcherley Lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria Low-growing native woodland plant of the buttercup family. Leaves: Heart-shaped, Hairless and glossy green. Often with pale blotches. Flowers: Shiny, yellow flowers from March-May. Yellow pimpernel, Lysimachia nemorum Low-growing native woodland plant of damp and shady places. Leaves: In pairs, opposite each other along the stem. Widest at the leaf base, narrowing to a point. Hairless leaves and stems. Flowers: Star-shaped yellow flowers with five pointed petals. Flowers May to July. Image credit 16 13

Non-woody plants with simple leaves - un-toothed edges Lords and Ladies, Arum maculatum Native plant of shady places. Leaves: Large leaves (to 20cm long), shaped like arrowheads (left). Jenny Wytcherley Flowers: Cream or green spikes April-May. In summer the leaves and flowers wither, leaving only the spikes of red berries (right). Beth Newman Jenny Wytcherley Wild garlic or Ramsons, Allium ursinum A native woodland plant, often covering large areas in shady woods. Leaves: Long (up to 25cm) strap-like leaves, with pointed tips. Veins are parallel. If crushed release a strong garlic smell. Flowers: Clusters of white flowers on thin stems that poke out over the tops of the leaves. Flowers April to May. Montbretia, Crocosmia species A non-native plant that has escaped from gardens and can spread quickly. Leaves: Very long (30-80cm), grass-like leaves, not more than 3cm wide. Leaves may be upright or curving. Flowers: Clusters of bright red-orange tube-like flowers, in July and August. Image credit17 14

Non-woody plants with simple leaves - un-toothed edges English bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta Native plant of woods and other habitats. Leaves: Long, narrow, glossy-green. 1-2cm wide. Beth Newman Flowers: Bell-shaped flowers usually bluepurple, occasionally white. Flower petals curl up at the ends. Flower stems droop or nod to one side, and flowers only on one side of the stem. Flowers April to June. Hybrid or Spanish Bluebell, Hyacinthoides Non-native bluebells that have escaped from gardens and established in the wild. Leaves: Similar to English bluebell but broader (1-3.5cm wide). Image credit 18 Flowers: Bell-shaped, colours range from purple, blue, white and pink. Flower petals flared but not strongly curled up at the ends. Most obvious difference is that the flower stems are upright, and flowers arranged all around the stem (not hanging to one side). Flowers April-June. Three-cornered garlic, Allium triquetrum A non-native plant, with a distinctive three-angled stem (hence its name). Leaves: Long, thin leaves (0.5-1cm wide), sometimes mistaken for bluebells but has the distinctive three-angled stem. Leaves have strong garlic scent if crushed. Flowers: Clusters of drooping white, bell-shaped flowers with green stripes running down the centre of each petal. Flowers April to June. Image credit 13 15

Ferns Unlike other plants in this guide, ferns are non-flowering plants. They are primitive plants, that existed before plants evolved flowers for reproduction. Instead, ferns produce spores on the underside of the leaf. These are dispersed by the wind. Ferns are made up of fronds that usually unfurl in Spring. Fronds may be undivided and simple like Hart s tongue fern (pictured below) or may be branched to form pinnate, bi-pinnate or tri-pinnate fronds. The illustrations below explain these branching patterns: Pinnate branching Bi-pinnate branching Tri-pinnate branching Hart s tongue fern, Asplenium scolopendrium Unbranched, simple frond that is tongue-shaped and pointed at the tip. Young fronds are bright green and darken with age. 10-60cm long, and 3-6cm wide. Hard fern, Blechnum spicant Pinnate. Edges are un-toothed. Fern is glossy and rigid, hence the name hard fern. Fronds are around 20-40cm long. 16

Ferns Common male fern, Dryopteris filix-mas Bi-pinnate. Fronds grow in shuttlecock-like clumps (bottom right). Up to 150cm tall. Frond are widest in the middle, and narrow at the base and tip. Stalks are covered in brown scales. Close up of the pinnules, which are un-toothed or faintly toothed, with blunt tips Broad buckler fern, Dryopteris dilatata Tri-pinnate. Fronds grow in clumps, up to 90cm tall. Fronds are widest towards the base giving them a triangular shape overall. Stalks have brown scales with a dark stripe down the middle of each scale. Close up of the pinnules, which are toothed, and mitten shaped. Bracken, Pteridium aquilinum Tri-pinnate (sometimes mistaken as bi -pinnate, as mature fern is made up of 5 or more distinct bi-pinnate triangles, in opposite pairs of the main stem ). A large fern, between 1-3 metres tall in summer. Dies back completely in winter. Image credit19 Image credit20 17

Can t find a match? Take a photo of the plant and you can: Upload it to our Facebook page and we will try to identify it for you: www.facebook.com/plymouthwoodlandproject Upload it to ispot for help from expert botanists around the country: www.ispot.org.uk Check at the extra info on woodland plants on our website: www.plymouthwoodlandproject.org.uk and go to resources. This guide is part of the Woodland Plant Trail a fun survey designed to involve the public in helping research Plymouth s woodland plant communities. Further information and the full survey can be found at www.plymouthwoodlandproject.org.uk Photo credits: With special thanks to Plantlife, the Woodland Trust and Plymouth City Council for help with images. Additional image credits: 1 davidshort (Attribution 2.0 Generic), 2 douneika (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic), 3 steve p2008 (Attribution 2.0 Generic), 4 ekenitr (Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic), 5 Ben Grader (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic), 6 Tico (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic), 7 samsaundersleeds (Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic), 8 nuuuuuuuuuuul (Attribution 2.0 Generic), 9 rachelgreenbelt (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic), 10 Ian Keith (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic), 11 gailhampshire (Attribution 2.0 Generic), 12 waen (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic), 13 Phil Sellens (Attribution 2.0 Generic), 14 nicolas_gent (Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic), 15 jwinfred (Attribution- NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic), 16 Andrew Hill (Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic), 17 Mollivan Jon (Attribution -NonCommercial 2.0 Generic), 18 Janine Eastman (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic), 19 Amadej2008 (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic), 20 Mauricio Mercandante (Attribution-NonCommercial- ShareAlike 2.0 Generic). Links to licences: Attribution 2.0 Generic: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/legalcode Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/legalcode Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/legalcode Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode All other images Alison Smith. 18