Wild Flowers of Ryedale

Pictures
Have a look at some of the flowers photographed in Ryedale ...

Identification tips

I am trying to build up some helpful hints on identifying difficult groups with help from our members. To date we have:

• Willowherb key
• Spreadsheet for various species including limes and violets

The list below contains all the flowering plants likely to be found in Ryedale, together with one or two distinctive ferns (such as Moonwort) and grasses (e.g. Quaking Grass), and common trees and bushes. No distinction is made between true native wild flowers and naturalised introductions and escapes – the criterion is that the plant should be found growing wild and appearing natural. The list does not contain rarities recorded in the past but known to be extinct now (such as the Lady’s Slipper Orchids recorded around Gilling and Hovingham in the 19th century). The plants in the list may not have been definitely recorded in this area, but they “should” occur. I have listed the plants in alphabetical order of English names. Please email me to let me know if this is a good idea or not! The list was compiled using Clapham, Tutin & Warburg as the main reference; I am aware that some botanical names have changed subsequently, and where I know the new ones I have noted them. If I have missed any please let me know.

There are some plants on this list which are rare nationally, some which are locally rare (for instance at the edge of their range) and several which are restricted to very particular habitats. We are fortunate that Ryedale is relatively unspoilt, with significant pockets of ancient woodland; but we have also lost much, in common with the rest of the country, in particular limestone grassland, herb-rich meadows and wetlands. The remaining tiny patches of these areas with their special floras are very precious and should be protected.

Rushes and Sedges, Grasses, Ferns/Horsetails and Mosses/Liverworts are listed separately, and we are hoping to include Lichens and Fungi later.

If you would like more information on the wild flowers of the area Nan Sykes has written an excellent book on the subject, Wild Plants and their Habitats in the North York Moors. This is available from the North York Moors National Park on-line shop.

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