In the REFERENCE section of the Nature of Dorset you can:
- Find species information with photos, maps, etc
- Access Identification tools for birds, flora and trees
- Find information about nature reserves and hotspots
- Access information about Sites of special scientific interest
- Learn about the wildlife habitats of Dorset
REFERENCE SECTION
"My personal guide to the nature reserves and wildlife hot-spots of Dorset and the species that may be seen at each along with help in identifying those animals and plants."
To aid users of mobile devices as well as those with a mouse or laptop finger pad this site uses a simple image-based menu system. Virtually every picture you see (images and photos) are links to more information arranged in a sort of top-down structure. See an image, click or tap on it to open a new page.
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General information and instructions on how to use the plant identification guide. |
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Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria Rose family - Rosaceae  Single spikes with small yellow rose-like flowers along it |
Alder Alnus glutinosa Birch family - Betulaceae  Large purple catkins tinged with green when fully open |
Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus Buckthorn family - Rhamnaceae  Tiny white flowers amongst the leaves |
Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum Carrot family - Umbelliferea  Early flowering greenish-yellow umbrella flowers near the sea |
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American Skunk-cabbage Lysichiton americanus Arum family - Araceae  Large'spade-shaped leaves |
American Willowherb Epilobium ciliatum Willowherb family - Onagraceae  Small open pink flowers on a slender plant with a reddish stem |
Annual Mercury Mercurialis annua Spurge family - Euphorbiaceae  Non-descript green plant with green flowers! |
Annual Pearlwort Sagina apetala Campion Family - Caryophyllaceae  Small plant with flowers hardly visible sprawling but not in mats |
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Annual Seablite Suaeda maritima Goosefoot family - Chenopodiaceae  Short plant with reddish stem and non-descript flowers |
Annual Wall Rocket Diplotaxis muralis Cabbage family - Cruciferae  Small plant cowering by walls! |
Arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolia Water-plantain family - Alismataceae  Three petalled flower with a dark centre and large pointed leaves |
Ash Fraxinus excelsior Olive family - Oleaceae  The small sprays of dark brown, almost black, flowers |
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Atlantic Poppy Papaver atlanticum Poppy family - Papaveraceae  Orange/red poppy flower near human habitation |
Autumn Gentian Gentianella amarella Gentian family - Gentianaceae  Short plant with upright trumpet flowers |
Autumn Hawkbit Leontodon autumnalis Daisy family - Compositae  Untidy dandelion growing quite tall with branched stem and a flower on each stem |
Autumn Ladys-tresses Spiranthes spiralis Orchid family - Orchidaceae  The spiral of small white flowers round a central stem |
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Babingtons Leek Allium babingtonii Lily family - Liliaceae  Large globed multi-flowered head |
Barren Strawberry Potentilla sterilis Rose family - Rosaceae  Early flowering strawberry with gaps between the petals |
Bastard Toadflax Thesium humifusum Sandalwood family - Santalaceae  Tiny white star-shaped flowers in short turf |
Beaked Hawks-beard Crepis vesicaria Daisy family - Compositae  Small dandelion-like flowers with red streaks on the back on a plant with branched stems |
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Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera Orchid family - Orchidaceae  An orchid with flowers that look like bumble-bees |
Beech Fagus sylvatica Beech family - Fagaceae  The tiny green flowers which is surprising for such a big tree |
Bell Heather Erica cinerea Heather family - Ericaceae  Rich dark pink bell shaped flowers on dry heath |
Betony Stachys officinalis Mint family - Labiatae  Cluster of tubular flowers at the top of a stout square stem |
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Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus Heather family - Ericaceae  The black (or green) berries on a small bushy plant |
Birdsfoot Ornithopus perpusillus Pea family - Leguminosae  Creeping plant with tiny pea shaped flowers in short truf |
Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus Pea family - Leguminosae  Sprawling yellow pea=shaped flowers and seed pods resembling a bird's foot |
Birdsnest Orchid Neottia nidus-avis Orchid family - Orchidaceae  Dead-looking orchid spikes under beech trees |
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Biting Stonecrop Sedum acre Stonecrop family - Crassulaceae  Small fleshy plant with red leaves forming mats on stone and rock |
Bitter Vetchling Lathyrus linifolius Pea family - Leguminosae  Medium sized purple and blue pea shaped flower |
Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara Nightshade family - Solonaceae  Climbing plant with purple flowers and yellow centres |
Black Bindweed Polygonum convolvulus Dock family - Polygonaceae  Slender 'climbing' plant in fields |
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Black Bryony Tamus communis Yam family - Dioscoreaceae  Dark green heart shaped leaves and red berries |
Black Currant Ribes nigrum Currant family - Grossulariaceae  Small pink petals ona green background! |
Black Horehound Ballota nigra Mint family - Labiatae  Large sturdy untidy plants with whorls of purple flowers |
Black Medick Medicago lupulina Pea family - Leguminosae  Low, prostrate plant with small clover flower heads |
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Black Mustard Brassica nigra Cabbage family - Cruciferae  Very dark stems and leaves from which it derives its name 'black' |
Black Nightshade Solanum nigrum Nightshade family - Solonaceae  Potato like flower producing black (poisonous) berries |
Black Poplar Populus nigra Willow family - Salicaceae  Attractive small purple flower spikes |
Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Rose family - Rosaceae  Shrub with white flowers appearing before any leaves |
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Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris Campion Family - Caryophyllaceae  The large 'bladder' seed box at the bade of the flower head |
Blue Fleabane Erigeron acris Daisy family - Compositae  Small daisy flower that does not seem to fully open |
Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta Lily family - Liliaceae  The classic bluebell everyone knows! |
Bog Asphodel Narthecium ossifragum Lily family - Liliaceae  Golden spikes of flowers in boggy heath |
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Bog Myrtle Myrica gale Bog myrtle family - Myricaceae  Brown seed-like flowers on a shrubby plant. The flowers/seeds have strong pine scent when crushed. |
Bog Orchid Hammarbya paludosa Orchid family - Orchidaceae  Tiny plant a couple of inches tall in sphagnum moss bogs |
Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella Primrose family - Primulaceae  Small delicate plant with flowers that only open fully in sunshine |
Bog Pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius Pondweed family - Potamogetonaceae  Brownish green leaves floating on a heathland pool |
In the REFERENCE section of the Nature of Dorset you can:
- Find species information with photos, maps, etc
- Access Identification tools for birds, flora and trees
- Find information about nature reserves and hotspots
- Access information about Sites of special scientific interest
- Learn about the wildlife habitats of Dorset
In the RECORDS section of the Nature of Dorset you can:
- See the latest sightings in lists, maps, charts and photos
- Find out where and when species have been seen
- Find out what has been seen at a site near you
- Find out the best time of year to see selected species
- Create your own lists, charts and maps and export data
In the RESOURCES section of the Nature of Dorset you can:
- See what is new across the site
- Use extended search facilities
- Ask questions or start discussions
- Keep up to date with the news
- Find an assortment of other resources
