Toothwort

This is a parasite ( Lathraea squamaria ) in the Broomrape family. It lives on the roots of shrubs and tres, especially Hazel, Ash and Wychelm. It has no chlorophyll of its own. Its flowers have a purplish tinge.

It can be found across most of the U.K but is described by botanists as “ local” meaning that it is not common everywhere.

This patch is in Gait Barrows, our local National Nature Reserve. We have been seing it there in late March every year for twenty five years.