- Wildlife
- Wildflowers
- Lesser Spearwort
About
A very variable, common, short/medium hairless perennial buttercup of wet places.
How to identify
Lesser spearwort has distinctive scrambling, red-tinged stems which can root at leaf junctions. It is a native, perennial herb growing upright, up to 50cm, or low and spreading. The flowers are a shiny, pale yellow ranging from 7 to 20mm (less than half the width of greater spearwort). It looks like a buttercup, complete with loose sepals. However, unlike buttercups, the leaves are undivided and spear-shaped - hence its common name of spearwort. The leaves are linear and slightly toothed. It spreads by runners that root at the leaf nodes.
Where to find it
Lesser Spearwort is found in clean freshwater where water levels fluctuate, such as the edges of ponds, lakes and streams, and in marshes, water meadows and bogs.
Habitats
When to find it
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
How can people help
The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland habitats sympathetically for the benefit of all kinds of wildlife. By volunteering for your local Trust you can help too and you'll make new friends and learn new skills along the way.