The konik horses are making small areas of grazing among the scrub and many of these are now brightened with lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula). ‘Flammula’ is Latin for ‘little flame’, perhaps referring to the brightness of the flowers, or maybe the shape of the leaves.
There are many other yellow flowers along the sides of the rides in the woods at the moment.
Trailing St. John’s wort (Hypericum humifusum)
Common cat’s-ear (Hypochaeris radicata). Apparently the leaves of this are edible and not normally bitter like dandelions. They can be eaten raw in salads, or cooked.
Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) is typical of heathy spots. The roots are very bitter and produce a reddish dye, and are used to make a powerful alcoholic beverage in Germany called Blutwurz (blood root) – the same name as the plant.
Tormentil is one of several Potentilla species in the woods and the plant also hybridises a great deal and clones often difficult to distinguish one from another
