| Plants
There is a great variety of plants growing
throughout the site, reflecting the range of conditions. The plants
seen from the Boardwalk tend to do well in boggy ground whereas
the flowering plants in the woodland tend to flower in the spring
before the leaves open on the trees overhead. Flowering plants on
the firing test range thrive in the bright light of summer and can
cope with competition from the meadow grasses.
There are many good field guides
to help you to name the flowers and grasses you might see at Oare.
The following are examples of some that are easily seen and identified.
Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Bluebells carpeting the ground are a much loved feature of many
woodlands in Kent. With its nodding blue flowers and delicate fragrance
it was voted the UK’s favourite wildflower in 2003. The UK
has 50% of the world’s population of bluebells.
Common reed (Phragmites australis)
This is the very tall reed that forms large clumps on the damp edges
of the pond. It is sometimes found elsewhere in damp areas. Easily
recognised by its long feathery flower heads.
Dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
With its spear-shaped leaves and spikes of small greenish flowers
dog’s mercury often carpets the woodland floor. Although it
is predominantly a plant of ancient woods and old hedgerows it can
colonise new deciduous woodland at a rate of more than three feet
a year. A similar plant Annual mercury Mercurialis annua
flowers throughout the year also.
Greater pond-sedge (Carex riparia)
With three-sided stems and broad leaves, this sedge grows in marshy
ground often beside open water. Sedges are almost all perennials
and being slow growing are good indicators of either infertile or
waterlogged soils.
Hart’s-tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium)
This is an evergreen, perennial fern of shady, moist rocky places,
banks, walls and woods. Here at Oare, the over-wintering plants
with tufts of undivided strap-shaped fronds are easy to find.
While the site has been unused the dense
shade offered by the tree canopy, combined with the dampness and
even temperature, has favoured the spread of this fern.
Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
Growing in damp shady places, this yellow-flowering plant from the
buttercup family is one of the first signs of spring.
Rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium)
There are many similar species within the willowherb family and
they hybridise easily. Rosebay willowherb, also known as Fireweed
or Bombweed, seeds easily and spreads rapidly on disturbed ground.
The tall spikes of pink flowers appear at the height of summer.
Soft-shield fern (Polystichum setiferum)
Soft-shield fern belongs to the group of ferns named for the shape
of the spore cases found on the underside of the mature fronds.
It is a semi-evergreen and occurs in shaded, deciduous woodland,
hedgerows, and sheltered stream-sides. It prefers sloping or well
drained ground. Each leaf or frond may grow up to 1.5 metres long.
Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
This robust biennial flowers from July onwards. The seeds float
away on the breeze and are often called thistledown. It likes disturbed,
fertile ground and is one of our most prickly thistles.
Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
These graceful white flowers are seen in the early spring nodding
gently in the breeze, giving rise to an alternative common name
of windflowers. The presence of wood anemones is one of the indicators
of ancient woodland and its presence here at Oare suggests that,
despite the historic use of this area for the manufacture of gunpowder,
woodland has been present for the last 300 years.
Yellow archangel (Lamiastrum
galeobdolon)
The golden flowers of this plant appear just as the bluebells are
fading, often growing in the slightly damper areas of the woods.
Look carefully for the reddish honey guides on each flower leading
early bees and other insects into the pollen and nectar.
Wild angelica (Angelica sylvestris)
This tall, striking plant smells like garden angelica. With its
tall purplish stems and white or pink flowers it grows rapidly in
damp grassy places, fens, marshes by streams, ditches and ponds
and in damp, open woods.
Bulrush (Typha latifolia)
With its tall spikes of brown velvety flowers this unmistakable
plant grows in shallow water or mud and provides seed for birds
during the winter.
Wood small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos)
A wetland grass that prefers shady places, this is a very
local species in Kent.
Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus)
This robust plant grows in damp areas and bursts into yellow flowers
in May.
Water mint (Mentha aquatica)
Water mint grows in permanently wet habitats adjacent to open water,
often partially or wholly submerged. The leaves have a strong, pleasant
smell when crushed or trampled underfoot.
Mosses
There are many species of mosses growing at Oare. These
are simple, green, land plants with leaves and a stem and are always
without roots. They may be found growing on the ground, on stones
or brickwork and trees, particularly in shady conditions.
Lichens
There are some lichens present, too. Lichens are a combination of
two organisms, a fungus and an alga, which live together intimately.
Scientists call this symbiosis. Lichens like sunny, sheltered places
and may be found on the ground, on stonework or brickwork, and on
trees and fenceposts. Lichens are regarded as very good indicators
of pollution levels.
Wild plants are protected under the Wildlife
and Countryside Act 1981.
Find out more...
www.nhm.ac.uk
www.bioImages.org.uk
www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk
www.reticule.co.uk/flora
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