Flowering Plants and Ferns of
Keele University
David W. Emley
Updated October 2016
Keele is perhaps more interesting for its trees than for its flowering plants, however there are a few
unusual species amongst them.
The deciduous woodland, consisting mainly of Oak and Sycamore, has a poor ground flora which
makes for a fine display of Bluebells in the spring. It also has Yellow Archangel, a plant associated
with ancient woodland as well as the lovely Wood Sorrel.
The area between the old sewage works site and the entrance to Lymes Road used to be very good
for plants. Indeed, there was a colony of Common Spotted Orchids and a few Northern Marsh
Orchids. These appear to have gone - it is too overgrown now but recent clearing may encourage
them to return as seeds can lie dormant for many years. The small gully that leads into Lake 7 is lined
with Bluebells but also Ramsons or Wild Garlic; its main site at Keele.
Keele has a good bramble flora and is the type locality for Rubus sneydii, named by Eric Edees; a
national expert on brambles who lived nearby.
One plant, Rhododendron ponticum, was causing problems in the deciduous woodland where it was
very invasive and unfortunately is the host of Phytophthora ramorum. This virus can seriously affect
oaks, larches and many other trees. Because of this Keele has had to remove much of its
Rhododendron. This has, of course, opened up the woodland and it is hoped it will let the native
ground flora grow up.
Many of the plants on the list that follows are adventives. That is, they appear for a short time,
usually on newly-cleared or disturbed ground then, as the vegetation matures, they get crowded out
and disappear. Areas like the Walled Garden and gateways in to neighbouring fields where there is a
lot of disturbance are good places to look for these plants, as are sites where a building has been
demolished or a new one built. For example, Field Pennycress, Bristly Ox-tongue and Corn Spurrey
were all found on the site of the old Nursery. Also, flowerbeds can sometimes hold surprising species
that have been brought in with compost and topsoil! The recently developed area of Home Farm/
Phase 3 is throwing up a number of unusual plants as well as a lot of common ones.
One plant, Slender Speedwell, that is found on the mown grassy areas all over campus, was originally
discovered in the 1960s on the Westlands estate. It has obviously been spread by contract mowing
machines!
Scattering of seed mixes alongside the Sustainability Hub has encouraged a diverse flora including
Carrot, Musk Mallow, Borage, Ox-eye Daisy and Yellow Rattle.
Church Plantation
Medical School & pool
Main Campus
Lower Springpool
Upper Springpool
Walled Garden
Terrace Woodlands
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Clock House Drive
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Phase 3
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
Home Farm/Observatory
A fresh survey was begun in 2012 and the results are tabulated below. Species that have been
recorded in the past but which have not been refound are indicated with an asterisk *.
Equisetaceae
Equisetum arvense
Common Horsetail
x
Dennstaedtiaceae
Pteridium aquilinum
Bracken
x
x
x
x
Asplenium scolopendrium
Hart's-tongue Fern
x
x
x
Asplenium trichomanes
Maidenhair Spleenwort
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Aspleniaceae
x
Woodsiaceae
Athyrium felix-femina
Lady Fern
x
Dryopteridaceae
Dryopteris dilatata
Broad Buckler-fern
x
Dryopteris filix-mas
Male Fern
x
Polystichum aculeatum
Hard Shield Fern
x
x
x
x
x
Nymphaeaceae
Nuphar lutea
Yellow Water-lily
x
x
Papaveraceae
Papaver dubium
Long-headed Poppy
x
Papaver rhoeas
Common Poppy
x
Papaver somniferum
Opium Poppy
x
Clematis vitalba
Traveller's Joy
x
Ranunculaceae
Ranunculus acris
Meadow Buttercup
x
Ranunculus ficaria
Lesser Celandine
x
Ranunculus lingua
Greater Spearwort
Ranunculus repens
Creeping Buttercup
Anemone nemorosa
Wood Anemone
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Saxifragaceae
Chrysoplenium oppositifolium
x
Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage
x
Fabaceae
Lathyrus pratensis
Meadow Vetchling
x
x
x
Lotus corniculatus
Bird's-foot Trefoil
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Melilotus officinalis
Ribbed Melilot
x
Medicago lupulina
Black Medick
x
Trifolium campestre
Hop Trefoil
x
Trifolium dubium
Lesser Trefoil
x
Trifolium micranthum
Slender Trefoil
Trifolium pratense
Red Clover
x
x
x
Trifolium repens
White Clover
x
x
x
Vicia craca
Tufted Vetch
Vicia hirsuta
Hairy Tare
x
x
Vicia sativa
Common Vetch
x
x
Vicia sepium
Bush Vetch
x
x
Vicia tetrasperma
Smooth Tare
x
Alchemilla vulgaris agg.
Lady's Mantle
x
Fillipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet *
Fragaria vesca
Wild Strawberry
Geum rivale
Water Avens
Geum urbanum
Wood Avens
Sanguisorba officinalis
Great Burnet
Potentilla anserina
Silverweed *
Potentilla erecta
Tormentil
Potentilla reptans
Creeping Cinquefoil
Potentilla sterilis
Barren Strawberry
x
Rubus fruticosus agg.
Bramble
x
Rubus idaeus
Raspberry
Rubus phoenicolasius
Japanese Wineberry
x
Urtica dioica
Stinging Nettle
x
Urtica urens
Annual Nettle
x
Main Campus
Church Plantation
White Melilot
Medical School & pool
Melilotus albus
Lower Springpool
x
Upper Springpool
x
Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil
Walled Garden
x
Lotus uliginosus
Terrace Woodlands
Clock House Drive
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Phase 3
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Home Farm/Observatory
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Rosaceae
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Urticaceae
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Oxalidaceae
Oxalis acetosella
Wood Sorrel
Oxalis corniculata
Procumbent Yellow Sorrel
x
Oxalis exilis
Least Yellow Sorrel
x
x
x
Upper Springpool
Lower Springpool
Main Campus
Medical School & pool
Church Plantation
Walled Garden
Terrace Woodlands
Clock House Drive
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Phase 3
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Home Farm/Observatory
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
x
x
x
x
x
Euphorbiaceae
Mercurialis perennis
Dog's Mercury
Euphorbia peplus
Petty Spurge
x
Euphorbia helioscopia
Sun Spurge
x
x
Violaceae
Viola reichenbachiana
Wood Dog Violet *
Hypericaceae
Hypericum androsaemum
Tutsan
Hypericum maculatum
Imperforate St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum
Perforate St. John's Wort
Hypericum tetrapterum
Square-stemmed St. John's Wort *
x
x
x
x
x
Geraniaceae
Geranium robertianum
Herb Robert
x
x
x
x
Geranium columbinum
Long-stalked Crane's-bill *
Geranium dissectum
Cut-leaved Crane's-bill
x
Geranium lucidum
Shining Crane's-bill
x
Geranium molle
Dove's-foot Crane's-bill
Geranium pratense
Meadow Crane's-bill
Geranium pyrenaicum
Hedgerow Crane's-bill
x
Chamerion angustifolium
Rosebay
x
Circaea leutetiana
Enchanter's Nightshade
x
Epilobium adenocaulon
American Willowherb
x
Epilobium hirsutum
Great Willowherb
x
x
Epilobium montanum
Broad-leaved Willowherb
x
x
Epilobium parviflorum
Hoary Willowherb
x
x
x
Epilobium roseum
Pale Willowherb *
Oenothera biennis
Evening primrose
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Onagraceae
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Musk Mallow
Resedaceae
Reseda luteola
Weld
x
Alliaria petiolata
Jack-by-the-hedge
x
x
x
x
Arabidopsis thaliana
Thale Cress
x
x
x
Brassica nigra
Black Mustard
x
Brassicaceae
x
x
x
x
x
x
Malvaceae
Malva moschata
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Cardamine flexuosa
Wavy Bittercress
Cardamine hirsuta
Hairy Bittercress
Cardamine pratense
Lady's Smock
Coronopus didymus
Lesser Swinecress
Coronopus squamatus
Swinecress
Raphanus raphanistrum
Wild Radish
Sinapsis alba
White Mustard
Sinapsis arvense
Charlock
Sisymbrium officinale
Hedge Mustard
Thlaspi arvense
Field Penny-cress
Main Campus
Lower Springpool
x
Upper Springpool
x
Church Plantation
Large Bitter-cress
x
Medical School & pool
Cardamine amara
x
Walled Garden
Shepherd's Purse
Terrace Woodlands
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Clock House Drive
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Phase 3
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Home Farm/Observatory
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Polygonaceae
Polygonum amphibium
Amphibious Bistort *
Polygonum aviculare
Knotgrass
x
Polygonum convolvulus
Black Nightshade
x
Polygonum persicaria
Redleg
x
Reynoutria japonica
Japanese Knotweed
Fagopyrum esculentum
Buckwheat
Rumex acetosa
Common Sorrel
Rumex acetosella
Sheep's Sorrel
Rumex crispus
Curled Dock
x
Rumex obtusifolius
Broad-leaved Dock
x
Rumex sanguineus
Wood Dock
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Caryophyllaceae
Arenaria serpylifolia
Thyme-leaved Sandwort *
Cerastium glomeratum
Sticky Mouse-ear *
Cerastium fontanum
Common Mouse-ear
Lychnis flos-cuculi
Ragged Robin
Moehringia trinerva
Three-veined Sandwort *
Sagina procumbens
Procumbent Pearlwort
x
Silene album
White Campion
x
Silene dioica
Red Campion
x
Spergula arvensis
Corn Spurrey
Stellaria graminea
Lesser Stitchwort
Stellaria holostea
Greater Stitchwort
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Church Plantation
x
Medical School & pool
Main Campus
Terrace Woodlands
x
Lower Springpool
x
Upper Springpool
Common Chickweed
Walled Garden
Stellaria media
Clock House Drive
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Phase 3
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Home Farm/Observatory
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
Amaranthaceae
Atriplex patula
Common Orache
x
x
Atriplex hastata
Spear-leaved Orache
x
x
Chenopodium album
Fat-hen
Chenopodium bonus-henricus
Good King Henry
x
Chenopodium ficifolia
Fig-leaved Goosefoot
x
x
x
x
x
Balsaminaceae
Impatiens glandulifera
Himalayan Balsam
x
x
x
x
x
Primulaceae
Anagellis arvensis
Scarlet Pimpernel
Lysimachia nemorum
Yellow Pimpernel
x
x
x
x
x
x
Rubiaceae
Galium aparine
Cleavers
x
x
x
Galium palustre
Marsh Bedstraw
Galium saxatile
Heath Bedstraw
x
Lonicera periclymenum
Honeysuckle
x
Sambucus nigra
Elder
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Gentianaceae
Centaurium erythraea
Common Centaury *
Boraginaceae
Myosotis arvensis
Field Forget-me-not
x
Myosotis scorpioides
Water Forget-me-not
Myosotis sylvatica
Wood Forget-me-not
x
Pentaglotis sempervirens
Green Alkanet
x
Anchusa arvensis
Bugloss
x
Borago officinalis
Borage
x
Phacelia sp.
Phacelia
x
x
x
Convolvulaceae
Calystegia sepium
Hedge Bindweed
x
x
x
Solanaceae
Solanum dulcamara
Bittersweet
x
Datura stramonium
Thorn Apple *
x
Digitalis purpurea
Foxglove
x
Veronica arvensis
Wall Speedwell
x
Veronicaceae
x
x
x
x
x
x
Church Plantation
x
x
x
x
x
x
Plantago major
Ratstail Plantain
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Veronica filiformis
Slender Speedwell
Veronica montana
Wood Speedwell
Veronica persica
Common Field Speedwell
Veronica serpyllifolia
Thyme-leaved Speedwell
Veronica sublobata
Ivy-leaved Speedwell
Main Campus
x
Germander Speedwell
Lower Springpool
x
Veronica chamaedrys
x
Upper Springpool
x
Brooklime
Walled Garden
x
Veronica beccabunga
Terrace Woodlands
Ribwort Plantain
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Clock House Drive
Plantago lanceolata
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Phase 3
Medical School & pool
Home Farm/Observatory
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Plantaginaceae
Callitrichaceae
Callitriche stagnalis
Common Water-starwort
x
Scrophulariaceae
Scrophularia nodosa
Common Figwort
Mimulus guttatus
Monkeyflower
Rhinanthus minor
Yellow Rattle
Verbascum thapsus
Great Mullein
x
x
x
x
x
x
Lamiaceae
Ajuga reptans
Bugle
x
Betonica officinalis
Betony *
Galeopsis tetrahit
Common Hemp Nettle *
Glechoma hederacea
Ground Ivy
Lamiastrum galeobdolen
Yellow Archangel
Lamium album
White Dead-nettle
Lamium purpureum
Red Dead-nettle
Mentha aquatica
Water Mint
Prunella vulgaris
Self-heal
x
x
Stachys sylvatica
Hedge Woundwort
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Campanulaceae
Campanula rotundifolia
Harebell *
Menyanthaceae
Nymphoides peltata
Fringed Water-lily
x
Asteraceae
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow
Achillea ptarmica
Sneezewort
Arctium minus
Lesser Burdock
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Bellis perennis
Daisy
x
x
x
Centaurea nigra
Common Knapweed
x
x
Cirsium arvense
Creeping Thistle
x
Cirsium palustre
Marsh Thistle *
Cirsium vulgare
Spear Thistle
x
Conyza canadensis
Canadian Fleabane
Crepis capillaris
Smooth Hawksbeard
Crepis vesicaria
Beaked Hawksbeard
Gnaphalium uliginosum
Wayside Cudweed
Hypochaeris radicata
Common Catsear
Lactuca serriola
Prickly Lettuce
Lapsana communis
Nipplewort
Leontodon autumnalis
Autumn Hawkbit
x
Leucanthemum vulgare
Ox-eye Daisy
x
Matricaria matricarioides
Pineappleweed
x
Picris echioides
Bristly Ox-tongue
Pulicaria dysenterica
Common Fleabane
Senecio jacobaea
Ragwort
Senecio palustris
Marsh Ragwort
Senecio viscosus
Sticky Groundsel *
Senecio vulgaris
Groundsel
Sonchus arvensis
Common Sow-thistle
Sonchus asper
Prickly Sow-thistle
Sonchus oleraceus
Smooth Sow-thistle
Taraxacum officinale agg
Dandelion
x
Tripleurospermum inodorum
Scentless Mayweed
x
Matricaria recutita
Scented Mayweed
x
Tussilago farfara
Coltsfoot
x
x
Lower Springpool
Upper Springpool
Walled Garden
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Moschatel
x
x
Dipsacus fullonum
Teasel
x
Knautia arvense
Field Scabious
x
Dispacaceae
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Common Cornsalad
x
x
x
Valerianaceae
Valerianella locusta
x
x
Adoxaceae
Adoxa moschatellina
Church Plantation
x
Medical School & pool
Mugwort
Main Campus
Artemesia vulgaris
Terrace Woodlands
Clock House Drive
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Phase 3
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Home Farm/Observatory
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
Church Plantation
x
Main Campus
x
Lower Springpool
x
Medical School & pool
Ivy
Upper Springpool
Hedera helix
Walled Garden
Devil's-bit Scabious
Terrace Woodlands
Succisa pratensis
Clock House Drive
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Phase 3
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Home Farm/Observatory
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
x
x
x
x
x
Apiaceae
Aegopodium podagraria
Ground Elder
x
Aethus cynapium
Fool's Parsley
Angelica sylvestris
Angelica
Anthriscus sylvestris
Cow Parsley
Apium nodiflorum
Fool's Water-cress *
Conium maculatum
Hemlock
Conopodium majus
Pignut
x
Daucus carota
Carrot
x
Heracleum sphondylium
Hogweed
x
Pimpinella saxifraga
Burnet-saxifrage
Smyrnium olusatrum
Alexanders
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Acoraceae
Acorus calamus
Sweet-flag
x
Araceae
Arum maculataum
Lords and Ladies *
Lysichitum americanum
Skunk Cabbage
x
Lemnaceae
Lemna minor
Common Duckweed
x
Broad-leaved Pondweed
x
x
Potamogetonaceae
Potamogeton natans
x
Orchidaceae
Epipactis helleborine
Broad-leaved Helleborine
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Common Spotted Orchid *
x
Iridaceae
Iris pseudacoris
Yellow Flag
x
Alliaceae
Allium ursinum
Ramsons
x
Asparagaceae
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Bluebell
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Typhaceae
Sparganium erectum
Branched Bur-reed
x
Typha angustifolia
Lesser Bulrush
x
Typha latifolia
Bulrush
x
x
x
Church Plantation
Medical School & pool
Main Campus
x
Lower Springpool
Walled Garden
x
Upper Springpool
Terrace Woodlands
Clock House Drive
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Phase 3
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Home Farm/Observatory
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
Juncaceae
Juncus articulatus
Jointed Rush
x
Juncus bufonus
Toad Rush
x
Juncus conglomeratus
Compact Rush
x
x
Juncus effusus
Soft Rush
x
x
Juncus inflexus
Hard Rush
x
Luzula campestris
Field Wood-rush
x
Eleocharis palustris
Common Spike-rush
x
Carex acutiformis
Lesser Pond-sedge
x
Carex flacca
Glaucous Sedge
x
Carex nigra
Common Sedge *
Carex pendula
Pendulous Sedge
x
Carex remota
Remote Sedge
x
Carex strigosa
Thin-spiked Wood-sedge *
x
x
x
x
x
x
Cyperaceae
x
x
x
Poaceae
Agropyron repens
Common Couch
x
Agrostis stolonifera
Creeping Bent
x
Alopecurus myosuroides
Black-grass
x
Alopecurus geniculatus
Marsh Foxtail
Alopecurus pratensis
Meadow Foxtail
x
x
x
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Sweet Vernal Grass
x
x
x
Arrenatherum elatius
False Oat-grass
x
x
x
Avena sativa
Wild Oat
Bromus hordaceus
Soft Brome
x
Bromus sterilis
Barren Brome
x
Cynosurus cristatus
Crested Dogstail
x
x
x
Dactylis glomerata
Cocksfoot
x
x
x
Deschamsia cespitosa
Tufted Hair-grass
x
x
Festuca gigantea
Giant Fescue
Festuca rubra
Red Fescue
x
Glyceria declinata
Small Sweet-grass
x
Glyceria maxima
Reed Sweet-grass *
Holcus lanatus
Yorkshire Fog
x
Hordeum marinum
Wall Barley
x
Lolium multiflorum
Italian Rye-grass
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Melica uniflora
Wood Millet
x
x
Phleum pratense
Timothy
x
Poa annua
Annual Meadow-grass
x
x
Poa pratensis
Smooth Meadow-grass
x
x
x
Poa trivialis
Rough Meadow-grass
x
x
x
Church Plantation
x
Medical School & pool
Upper Springpool
x
Main Campus
Walled Garden
Perennial Rye-grass
Lower Springpool
Terrace Woodlands
Lolium perenne
Main campus is the area from Keele Hall to the Sports fields
Phase 3
Clock House Drive
Lower Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Lymes
Road
Home Farm/Observatory
Upper Springpool is the area between Lake 5 and Keele Hall
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x