The other name for this strange looking plant is the “pride of Sussex” as it is the much-loved county flower of Sussex. It is quite rare and is only found in a few places in southern England, and this area is lucky to be one of them. Catch them flowering between June and August.
Lady's bedstraw
This attractive plant can be found growing all summer inside the hill fort and on the flanks of Newtimber Hill. In the past, the dried plant were used to stuff mattresses as it is lovely and springy. The scent of the plants also acts as flea repellant. According to one medieval legend, the Virgin Mary gave birth whilst lying on a bed of lady's bedstraw and bracken. The bracken refused to acknowledge the baby Jesus and in doing so lost its flower. Lady's bedstraw, however, bloomed. Because it did so its flowers changed from white to gold. The flowers were also used to curdle milk for cheese making, and colour Double Gloucester.
On the wing
Chalkhill blue