British Wild Flowers: A photographic guide to every common species. Paul Sterry
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Buckwheat
Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum (Polygonaceae)
Hairless, upright annual, usually with reddish stems. Associated with disturbed or waste ground. FLOWERS Pinkish, in stalked, branched clusters (July–Sep). FRUITS Smooth, 3-sided nuts. LEAVES Broad, arrow-shaped, the upper ones clasping the stem. STATUS Widespread but occasional, a relict of cultivation.
Common Bistort
Common Bistort
Common Bistort Persicaria bistorta (Polygonaceae)
Attractive perennial of damp meadows, forming patches in suitable locations. FLOWERS Pink, in dense, 30–40mm terminal spikes (June–Aug). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Oval or arrow-shaped, the lower ones stalked, the upper ones almost stalkless. STATUS Locally common in the north but rare in the south.
Amphibious Bistort
Amphibious Bistort Persicaria amphibia HEIGHT to 40cm
Perennial of ponds and nearby dry land. Aquatic form has floating stems. FLOWERS Pink, in cylindrical spikes (June–Sep). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Narrow; aquatic forms hairless, truncate at the base and long-stalked; terrestrial forms downy, rounded at the base and short-stalked. STATUS Locally common.
Alpine Bistort
Alpine Bistort Persicaria vivipara
Upright, unbranched perennial of upland and northern grassland. FLOWERS In terminal spikes; upper ones pale pink, lower ones reddish-brown bulbils (a means of vegetative reproduction) (June–Aug). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Narrow, grasslike, the margins inrolled. STATUS Locally common from N Wales northwards.
Water-pepper
Small Water-pepper
Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper HEIGHT to 70cm
Upright, branched annual, characteristic of damp, bare ground such as winter-wet ruts, and shallow water. FLOWERS Pale pink, in long spikes that droop at the tip (July–Sep). FRUITS Small and nut-like. LEAVES Narrow, oval, with a peppery taste when chewed. STATUS Widespread and common, except in the north. Small Water-pepper P. minor is similar but much smaller (to 30cm), with shorter, narrower leaves (5–8mm across) that are not peppery. Local and scarce on bare pond margins.
Redshank
Redshank
Redshank Persicaria maculosa HEIGHT to 60cm
Upright or sprawling hairless annual with much-branched reddish stems. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS Pink, in terminal spikes (June–Oct). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Narrow, oval, usually showing a dark central mark. STATUS Widespread and common throughout.
Pale Persicaria
Pale Persicaria
Pale Persicaria Persicaria lapathifolia HEIGHT to 60cm
Upright or sprawling annual. Similar to Redshank but stems usually greenish and hairy. Found on disturbed ground and arable field margins. FLOWERS Greenish white, in terminal spikes (June–Oct). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Narrow, oval. STATUS Widespread and generally common throughout.
Black-bindweed
Copse-bindweed
Black-bindweed Fallopia convolvulus HEIGHT to 1m
Extremely common, clockwise-twining annual that both trails on the ground and climbs among wayside plants. FLOWERS Greenish and rather dock-like, in loose spikes arising from leaf axils (July–Oct). FRUITS Nut-like, blackish. LEAVES Arrow-shaped, on angular stems. STATUS Widespread and common. Copse-bindweed F. dumetorum is similar but has much longer fruit stalks (4–8mm). Scarce.