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Sussex Ouse
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| The beautiful Sussex Ouse above Hamsey |
| Flora |
| Flora is another collective term but this time relating to plant life in a particular area or region. |
| Plants & Flowers |
| Trees |
| Fauna |
| Like flora, fauna is a collective term for animal life inhabiting a particular area or region. |
| Birds |
| Fish |
| Mammals & Amphibians |
| Plants and wild Flowers |
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Appearance: A tall perennial plant up to 120cm high with almost square stems and flowers that have 6 purple petals 10-15mm long. The leaves are narrow, oblong and hairy and are untoothed; arranged in opposite pairs at the top of the stems and in threes lower down. Flowers June to August and the fruits are egg shaped. Habitat: An invasive plant found in abundance at the edges of usually still or slow flowing water throughout most of the British Isles. A single plant can produce 2½ million seeds annually. Common throughout the middle and upper reaches of the Sussex Ouse and tributaries, this picture was taken at Barcombe. Did you know? This plant was taken to America as a medicinal herb in the early 19 th century. It has since spread there almost uncontrollably as it had no natural animal or insect controls. Ramsons - Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum) Appearance: A short to medium perennial plant up to 45cm high that spreads vigorously. The white flowers are borne on tall stems and are arranged in heads of up to 25; they have 6 narrow petals. Leaves are broad, flat, elliptical and bright green on triangular stalks. Flowers from April to June.Habitat: Abundant throughout most of the British Isles in damp woods and shady places. Common throughout the middle and upper reaches of the Sussex Ouse and tributaries, this picture was taken at Sutton Hall near Isfield. Did you know? If you crush the leaves or stems you will get a very strong smell and taste of garlic, the leaves can be chopped and used like chives. Long ago “garlic woods” used to be landmarks in old land charters. Make sure not to confuse with Lily of the Valley which has similar leaves but quite different bell shaped flowers; Lily of the Valley is poisonous. Yellow Water-Lily (Nuphar lutea) Appearance: Large oval leaves up to 40cm long float on the surface of the water, with small crinkly leaves submerged, all carried on long stems. Yellow flowers about 6cm across have 5 petals and stick up above the surface on long stalks. The plant roots in the mud at the bottom of the water that can be up to a metre deep. Flowers June to September and the fruits are roundish like little bottles. Habitat: Found all over the British Isles in still and slow flowing waters. Common throughout the middle and upper reaches of the Sussex Ouse and tributaries, this picture was taken below the Anchor weir at Barcombe. Did you know? It was once called “Brandy Bottle” because of the shape of the fruits and a slight smell of alcohol. |
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