Lady's smock

Lady's smock in flower, Parke, Devon

The slowly improving grassland, means that there is a good show of lady's smock, also known as cuckoo flower, this year

They're popping up in ever increasing numbers within the parkland. This delicate, pinky-white, flower is a real sign that spring is here.

Orange-tip - Anthocharis cardamines – April to July - damp grassy habitats and hedgerows
Orange-tip - Anthocharis cardamines – April to July - damp grassy habitats and hedgerows
Orange-tip - Anthocharis cardamines – April to July - damp grassy habitats and hedgerows

As well as being attractive in its own right, it's very important for one particular species - the delicate orange-tip butterfly, which flies from April until July.  This particular butterfly uses the lady's smock as the feed plant for it's caterpillars.