KEY WILDLIFE

Wood anemone

One of the earliest of all spring flowers, wood anemone ( right) is one of the most faithful indicators that you’re in the company of ancient trees. Despite its flowers being pollinated by beetles, flies and bees, the seed is rarely fertile, so it spreads by creeping across the wood’s floor at a snail’s pace.

Ramsons

Known by many as wild garlic, ramsons are commonest in damp places, such as along streams or in wet, heavy soil. The tasty leaves appear first and by the time the umbel of white flowers have emerged, the collective odour is almost overwhelming.

Common dog violet

Separated from its sweet cousin by its pale mauve and unscented flowers, ‘the dog’ is found in woods all over Britain, except in the far north. The spring flowers are pollinated by bees, but the minute blooms later in summer also produce viable seed.

Early Earl purple orchid

One of the commonest of all British orchids, this handsome plant ( below) is widespread in many British woodlands situated on non-acidic soils. Smelling like lily-of-the-valley when they first emerge, mature plants take a pungent turn, with their pinkish-purple flowers then reeking of tom-cat.

Wood sorrel

Surely the most distinctive feature of this delicate woodland species has to be their drooping, shamrockshaped leaves. Found in cool, shady woods, the lilac-veined flowers are first seen in April.