Lathraea squamaria
Toothwort
Species Details
Toothwort is a rare native annual or perennial that grows as a total root parasite on woody plants in hedges, scrub and woodlands. It typically grows on Hazel (XXCorylus avellana) but has also been recorded locally on poplar (XXPopulus species) and Beech (XXFagus sylvatica). It grows occasionally throughout our area from Brook Bottom (SJ9786) and Offerton Stepping Stones (SK2181) in the north, through Shacklow Wood (SK1769) and Rose End Meadows (SK2956), to Hermit’s Wood (SK4438) and Mere Pond (SK3622) in the south.
A very early spring-flowering plant, growing here under poplar trees in Darley Park, Derby, where it has been known for well over 30 years. (Photographed 14/03/1994 SK3537)