Coral-necklace

Illecebrum verticellatum

The New Forest is one of the strongholds in the UK for this delightful little plant, which grows in bare, damp patches within the heaths. Because it grows very close to the ground it would be overwhelmed by other more vigorous plants if it were not for the grazing of the Forest ponies. The plant gets its name from the tiny white flowers which appear from June to October and grow in whorls around the stem of the plant, making it look like a necklace made of coral.