Wild Flower Identification in Suffolk

This course is suitable for beginners as well as those who already know many plants but don’t know why they do and who seek help in learning identification skills. Flatford is a great location for the botanist to explore the wild flowers of Suffolk.

The range of habitats and the consequent variety of plant species is perfect. Adjacent to Flatford are marshes, swamps and grazing pasture. Further inland on the chalky, boulder clay there are ancient woodlands and species-rich hay-meadows while the coastal habitats support a completely contrasting flora along the sand and shingle spits, the mudflats and salt marshes.

Some time will be spent in the classroom but we shall spend as much time as possible exploring the plants of the wonderful Suffolk countryside. The course is designed to help you identify plants in a glorious setting. This will require close examination of the flowers which provide the major big clues to the identity of any plant, but other features are also very useful to determine precise identification. We shall approach this in a systematic way, taking account of the characteristics that group plants into recognisable flowering plant families. We will use reliable identification methods that should stand you in good stead and give you confidence to pursue the subject further. Plenty of help and guidance will be available. The daily excursions will involve some walking over rough ground with occasional short bursts of uphill and downhill, but the pace will seldom be strenuous.

As you can imagine, Suffolk can be glorious on a fine day in June (but be armed with sun cream etc.) However, if the weather is poor the coast, in particular, can be exposed to the worst. You should be prepared with water- and windproof clothing (available on loan from the centre). Rain will not stop play but we are likely to return to Flatford earlier than planned and spend more time studying the plants in the classroom. Strong winds may dictate changes to the programme – woodlands are not the safest places to be under such conditions.

To find out more, please visit our website: https://www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-experiences/static-courses/wild-flower-identification-in-suffolk/

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