Narrow-leaved Cattail
(Typha angustifolia)

Description: Erect, straplike leaves. Plants grow in dense stands. Flowers on end of tall spike look like furry sausages. Male flowers (staminate) are pale green-yellow and are separate and above the female (pistillate) flowers. Male flowers disappear in late summer leaving the familiar fluffy seedhead.

Habitat: Marsh edges and shallows. Prefers lime-rich mineral soils.

Height: 2 m

Flowering: July

Common Plantain
(Plantago major)

Description: Low-growing plant with leaves which grow flat to the ground. Flowers on spikes are green. Perennial.

Habitat: Dry, sunny sites, especially gardens, roadsides, disturbed sites.

Height: 30 cm

Flowering: July - August

Riverbank Grape
(Vitis riparia)

Description: Large, characteristic grape leaves on sturdy stem which can become woody. scrambles and climbs over vegetation, up trees and can form dense blankets. Flowers are tiny, green-yellow in clusters and result in very small black berries.

Habitat: Edge habitats, especially moist areas such as stream banks.

Width: 10 m

Flowering: June - August

European Stinging Nettle
(Urtica dioica)

Description: Tall, erect plant. Stem and leaves covered with hairs which "sting". Flowers are inconspicuous, green and clustered in strands. Leaves have serrated edges and are heart-shaped.

Habitat: Prefers shady, moist habitats such as along woodland trails, on forest edge.

Height: 1.5 m

Flowering: June