Familes
From coast to summit - the Pea family
The Pea family are also called Leguminosae. The roots use bacteria to make nodules that fix nitrogen from the air.
Bird's-foot trefoil Gorse flower Broom pods Broom pods
The Pea family Fabaceae has flowers with one line of symmetry. Bird's-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus The standard is the petal at the top and there are 2 wing petals on below. This is Gorse Ulex europaeus There are are two petals underneath that make the keel, and brownish sepals Broom Cytisus scoparius The ovary is superior. The Broom seeds are in a pod which explodes in the sun when the seeds are ripe.
Bird's-foot Trefoil pods White Clover Tufted Vetch Common Restharrow
Bird's-foot Trefoil has clusters of pods like a claw White Clover Trifolium repens has creeping stems Tufted vetch Vicica cracca has purple spikes Sticky-leaved Restharrow Ononis repens by the sea