Common Cow Wheat

Melampyrum pratenseI

It’s believed its name comes from

the fact cows like to eat it and

would produce only the finest

yellow butter. It also attaches itself

to the roots of other plants to

extract water and minerals.

Irish Spurge

Euphorbia hyberna

It is locally common in the

Watersmeet valley but incredibly

rare elsewhere in the country.

Tormentil

Potentillia erecta

It was used in the past for a range

of medicinal purposes and also was

used as an alternative to Oak bark

for tanning leather.

Vetch

Lathyrus montanus

There are many different types of

vetch but a common one at

Watersmeet is the Bitter Vetch.

However they can be difficult to

tell apart.

Bluebell

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Bluebells are one of the nation’s

best-loved wildflowers, their

carpets of blue transforming our

woodland’s at spring. Half of the

world’s population of bluebells

are here in the UK.

Wood Anemone

Anemone nemorosa

It is an ancient woodland indicator

and spreads incredibly slowly over

time it is said that a large patch

can indicate great age/continuous

cover in woodland.

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Wild strawberries are found in

woods and scrub throughout the

British Isles and produce berries

much smaller than the cultivated

variety.

Woodruff

Galium odoratum

Have a whiff of this plant it can

have a strong sweet scent when

wilting.

Bilberry

Vaccinrum myrtillus

Bilberry has a local name on

Exmoor of Whortleberry. It can be

made into Jam which you can

have on scones at Watersmeet!

Wood Sorrel

Oxalis acetosella

Wood Sorrel leaves contain

calcium oxalate which has been

used to add flavour to salads and

sauces.

Bi I T V W

A S B So C

Family

friendly side

up to Ash

Bridge and

back on

same side

WATERSMEET

HOUSE

ASH

BRIDGE

Caution:

steep, narrow

sections on

this side

Length: 2.2 miles (3.5 km)

Duration: 45 mins-1 hour

There is a one way loop for the

more adventurous, or a family friendly

half way and back route.

Watersmeet wildflower trail

Route

details

Follow the wildflower trail markers and look out for the flowers

listed on the back.

Either mark the flower on the map with its letter or draw your

own! By doing this we can gather records on flower locations.

Feel free to mark on other wildflowers not on our list.

© National Trust 2017. National Trust is an independent

registered charity, number 205846. Photography: ©

National Trust Images/Dan Cameron, Hannah Burton

Caution: just before

Ash Bridge there are

some steps not

suitable for

pushchairs or

wheelchairs