Flowering Plants

Wiltshire’s habitats support a superb variety of flowering plants. These vary greatly between the different habitats as many plants are specialised to live in certain conditions.

In Wiltshire, species-rich grasslands can be split into two main categories: unimproved calcareous grassland and unimproved neutral grassland. These two different types of grassland are home to some of the most spectacular grassland species. Round Headed Rampion, Field Fleawort, Bastard Toadflax, Tuberous Thistle and Early Gentian are found on chalk grassland. Unimproved neutral grassland species include Snakeshead Fritillary, Common Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Cowslip and Devil’s Bit Scabious.

Woodlands in Wiltshire support many different flowering species. Some of these prefer dappled sunlight filtered from the canopy above, others prefer the bright sunlight of an open coppice or clearing. Notable woodland species include Lords and Ladies, Spiked Star of Bethlehem, Bluebell, Solomon’s Seal, Herb Paris, Dog’s Mercury, Honeysuckle and Primrose.

A very impressive diversity of orchid species can be found in Wiltshire. Many large, localised populations exist on the chalk grasslands and are evidence of the good health of the county; Bee Orchid, Bird’s Nest Orchid, Burnt Orchid, Fragrant Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid, Early Marsh Orchid, Greater Butterfly Orchid, Southern Marsh Orchid and Pyramidal Orchid to name a few. The are also some orchids that can be found in woodlands such as the Early Purple Orchid.

There are many rivers running through Wiltshire, and numerous small brooks and streams. Teasel, Water Figwort, and Ragged Robin are bankside plants common along watercourses. Water Forget-Me-Not, Rigid Hornwort, Common Water Starwort and Water Crowfoot are some of the submerged aquatic plants you may see in these areas.

In lakes and ponds throughout the County bankside plants include Common Fleabane, Marsh Thistle, Brookweed and Water Mint, and in the water and mud around the edges Common Water Plantain can be found.

Important and rare arable weeds such as Pheasant’s Eye, Corncockle and Shepherd’s Needle can be found on the fringes of farmed land. Common Poppy, Field Madder, Henbit Deadnettle, Round-Leaved Fluellen and Dwarf Spurge are common arable flowering plants.

In Wiltshire’s towns and villages there are many flowering plants that have adapted well to living urban areas, and in some cases are thriving. Ivy-Leaved Toadflax and Mexican Fleabane often grows in old walls.

To find out more about Wiltshire's flowering plants take a look at the County Recorders pages