Habitats

Norfolk Wildlife Trust – Buxton Heath

As I learn the names of native plants, I’ve become conscious of their natural habitats when we go for walks.

Here’s a photo from our walk today in Buxton Heath, Norfolk, dominated by common heather (Calluna vulgaris), bell heather (Erica cinerea), and common gorse (Ulex europaeus). 

Closer to Norwich is Marston Marsh, a 26-acre floodplain grazing marsh along the River Yare. Here we saw hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), purple-loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), water mint (Mentha aquatica), and common fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica).

Marston Marshes, Norwich

One week earlier, here’s a field in Burnham Overy Staithe. The main plant is tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), there’s also meadowsweet. Not shown in the photo was common agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), the non-native greater burdock (Arctium lappa), and marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis).

Feld verge, Burnham Overy Staithe

Of course I end up ordering all of these for our terrace! Observing these combinations is also teaching me about their natural ecosystems.