NEN Gallery

This plant is very abundant and has over 70 common names. It grows on pastures and dry grassland throughout Britain. Its solid stems arise from a woody rootstock. Flowers are carried at stalk heads. It has three leaflets grouped together and another two below close to the stem. It has yellow flowers often with red and orange streaks, which has resulted in its other most common name -'Bacon-and-eggs'. The seed pods resemble a bird's claw. They twist and split to release the seeds. Pollination is usually by bees. The plant flowers mainly from June to September. Picture taken 25th August 2006 at Flemersham, Bedfordshire. For more pictures see the May plant diary.