Lords and Ladies

The arrow-shaped leaves of Lords and Ladies are a deep green colour. They are often, though not always, spotted with dark blotches, and have a wrinkled surface. A large yellowgreen bract (spathe) pushes up from the base of the plant and unfurls to reveal the club-shaped, brown flower spike (spadix).

Lady’s Bedstraw

The tiny flowers of Lady’s Bedstraw seem, at a distance, like candyfloss. Each flower has four well-separated petals and is grouped into a branched panicle. Linear, shiny, dark green leaves are borne in many whorls along the hairy stem. The plant, which may be bushy or in spikes, is fragrant.

Lucerne

LEAVES : Alternate, trifoliate, elliptical leaflets.

PLANT HEIGHT : 40–90cm.

FLOWER SIZE : 7–11mm long.

FRUIT : Spiralled pod, 5–6mm wide, with a hole in the centre.

FLOWERING TIME : June–July.

SIMILAR SPECIES : Tufted Vetch (left), which has pinnate leaves and longer flower clusters.