Seasonal Wild Flowers

Red Bartsia

Odontites vernus

Scrophulariaceae

June to September

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Red Bartsia

It grows in short grass and bare areas such as tracks, waste

ground, fields and by the sea.

Red Bartsia is a native, annual, root-hemiparasite, growing up

to 50cm

The flowers are purplish pink tubes and approximately the same

length as the calyx (9mm).

The corolla is 2 lipped. The upper lip is entire and concave and

the lower lip has 3 lobes

Flowers are in the axils of bracts, which are like the leaves but

smaller.

Stems are hairy and green to purple purple.

Leaves are dark green, hairy, lanceolate and toothed.

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Red Bartsia, Heysham Head, Lancs.

One-sided flower spike, exserted anthers.

Flowers from behind

Flowers in axils of bracts, 3-lobed lower lip

Purple stem and 4-toothed calyx

Fruit capsules, filiform styles

Leaves