Most of lathraea clandestina plants are underground; the visible parts are the flowers, which appear in spring. The species is native to several countries in western Europe, but not to the UK
Common name:
Purple toothwort
Family:
Scientific name:
Lathraea clandestina
Main flower color:
Range:
Localised, scattered places across central and southern England; an introduced species
Height:
Up to 5 cm
Habitat:
Shady, damp woodland, often near streams; parasitic on roots of alders, willows and other trees
Flowers:
Tubular, purple, with curved, ridged upper lip and shorter, non-spreading lower lip; in clusters, at the top of very short stems. The style projects from the tip of the corolla, topped by a disc-shaped stigma
Leaves:
Small, scale-like, purplish; not true leaves
Season:
April to May
Rarity:
★★★★★
