Seasonal Wild Flowers

Yellow-wort

Blackstonia perfoliata

Gentianaceae

June to October

It is found throughout the country except for parts of the North,

the Midlands, Norfolk and the far Southwest.

For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway

Yellow-wort grows on open, dry, shallow, stony limestone soils,

calcareous turf, stabilised sand dunes and by paths, roads,

railways and quarries.

It is a native, annual or biennial, greyish, upright herb, growing

up to 50cm.

Flowers are 1 to 1.5cm with 6 to 9 yellow petals.

There are 6 to 8 linear stamens, a large, yellow, bilobed stigma

and a yellow, oval ovary.

The calyx has linear lobes and appears claw-like.

Flowers close when the sun is behind cloud.

Leaves are greyish, 1 to 2 cm long and joined so that paired

leaves look single with the stem growing out through the middle.

Yellow-wort, Cogdon Nature Reserve, Dorset

Yellow-wort - bilobed stigmas and linear stamens

Flower buds, linear lobed calyx

Greyish leaves and stem

Stem through greyish, joined leaves