Sharp-leaved Fluellen

A quite exhausting and intensive day of survey at the Whitemoor Marshalling Yards. We have visited for many years, and it's hard to be surprised by new finds any more, but I was pleased to record a very small population of Sharp-leaved Fluellen from one of the compartments. It has tiny snapdragon-like flowers which are velvety purple and soft primrose yellow in colour. This rather local species is most frequent in southern and eastern England. It was traditionally found in arable margins, where it has declined enormously, but can also be found in other disturbed habitats, including brownfield sites, which have become a refuge for many declining arable weeds.