- Wildlife
- Wildflowers
- Restharrow
Philip Precey
About
Common Restharrow is a low-growing, creeping plant with clusters of pink flowers that can be seen from July to September. It can be found on grassland, particularly chalk and limestone grassland and in coastal areas.
How to identify
A creeping perennial, Common Restharrow has leaves that are greasy to the touch and divided into three oval leaflets. It has hairy stems and clusters of small, pink, pea-like flowers.
Where to find it
Most commonly grows in England, especially around the coast.
Habitats
When to find it
- July
- August
- September
- October
How can people help
Although Common Restharrow itself is not threatened, the habitats in which it grows are becoming fragmented and being lost at a rapid rate; for example, it's estimated that we've lost 80% of our chalk grassland over the last 60 years. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and coastal nature reserves for the benefit of the rare wildlife they hold. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from scrub-cutting to stockwatching.