July
Fragrant Orchid
Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea produces pink to purple cylindrical spikes that a give off an orange scent, particularly strong in the evenings. The fragrant orchid is most usually found on... Read more
Ling
Ling Calluna Vulgaris is the most common heather and found throughout Ashdown Forest. Bees love the flowers for gathering nectar, but as hives are not allowed on the common land... Read more
Bog Asphodel
The Bog Asphodel, Northecium ossifragum is characteristic of damp heaths and has been used as a source of orange dye for both cloth and hair. It is reputedly poisonous to... Read more
Emerald Green Dragonfly
The brilliant Emerald Green Dragonfly Somatochlora metallica is a nationally scarce dragonfly that can still be found on the hammer ponds of the Weald. Look out for it hunting in... Read more
Soft Rush
The Soft Rush, Juncus effusus is a thin rush which was sometimes peeled and the wick would then be soaked in animal fat and burned. This was a staple form... Read more
Rigid Hornwort
The Rigid Hornwort, Ceratophyllum demersum is often seen in ponds where it is good for sheltering invertebrates from predators and used by fish as a spawning ground. Read more
Water Mint
Water mint, Mentha aquatica has a scent that is “exactly that of a ropy chimney in a wet summer, where wood fires have been kept in winter-time” according to William... Read more
Devil's Bit Scabious
The Devil’s Bit Scabious succisa pratensis is so called because it has a short, truncated root which could only have been bitten off by the devil himself. Read more
White Admiral
The White Admiral, Limenitis camilla, is a spectacular woodland butterfly, with white-banded black wings and a distinctive delicate flight: short periods of wing beats, followed by long glides. The population is... Read more
Ringlet
The Ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus is widespread throughout Britain. A dark brown butterfly, the wing has distinctive eyespots. This butterfly flies with a distinctive, bobbing flight, and continues flying in dull... Read more
Ivy-leaved Bellflower
Ivy-leaved Bellflower, Wahlenbergia hederacea is a delicate, trailing plant with attractive, pale blue bell-shaped flowers borne in July and August. Read more
Betony
Betony, Stachys officinalis was very popular with medieval herbalists and even earlier. The physician to the Roman Emperor Augustus claimed that the plant could cure at least 47 different ailments. Read more
Goldenrod
Goldenrod, Solidago virgaurea is a bright flower of late summer that was used as a wound herb. Read more