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Trees woods and wildlife
Wayfaring tree
A welcome sign you’re homeward bound, the wayfaring tree is so named because it grows close to paths. Look for them in hedges and woodland edges, with full bloom in the spring and heavy with berries in the autumn.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Jelly ear
Velvety and a little disconcerting, the jelly ear looks just like an ear growing off decaying branches.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Morel
Highly prized and easily recognised, the morel is a favourite edible mushroom. It has a strong, nutty flavour and a pleasant, earthy smell and grows in a variety of habitats, including well-drained woodland. But beware, it is poisonous when raw.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Meadow foxtail
Upright and bushy-tailed, meadow foxtail is a charming addition to any meadow. It provides food and habitats for a variety of invertebrates, including the caterpillars of the Essex skipper butterfly.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Oakbug milkcap
Stinky and unimpressive. Oakbug milkcap is a dull-looking fungus that is easily missed in woodland among its more spectacular cousins. It is edible, though is not to everyone’s taste, and is said to have an oily smell, similar to bed bugs. Yum.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Violet click beetle
Glimmering and rare, the violet click beetle is only found in three places in the UK. This elusive beetle is entirely reliant on the decaying wood of ash and beech trees.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Red-headed cardinal beetle
A flame-coloured sun worshiper, the red-headed cardinal basks in the summer sun in woods and hedgerows, and nestles under loose bark on broadleaved trees.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Rose chafer
With striking, iridescent bodies that shimmer like oil slicks in the sunshine, rose chafers are easy to spot as they crawl among the flowers on summer days.
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Trees woods and wildlife
European larch
A spring-time show-off, European larch is a conifer full of surprises. Introduced over 400 years ago, it’s a favourite with squirrels, birds and moths alike.
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Blog
Wild marjoram: what is it, where to find it and how to plant it
It's a herb we sprinkle liberally on pizza and pasta. And so we'd be forgiven for thinking oregano, also known as wild marjoram, only grows around the Mediterranean. But did you know it's actually native to the UK?
Helen Keating • 10 Jul 2018