Barren Strawberry , Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry is actually a cinquefoil or potentilla, but its common name reflects its similarity to the true wild strawberry in flower. The whole plant is only a couple of inches tall and rather inconspicuous, but barren strawberry is very common on banksides, along paths, woodland edges and dry grassy areas. Wood or Early Dog Violet , Viola reichenbachiana One of the two common dog violets, Wood Violet is the first to flower, usually in March. It grows in light shade in woodland or on banks, usually on limy soil. This violet is rather delicate in form, with a dark purple spur at the back of the flower.
Dog violets have no scent and tend to be paler in colour than the Sweet Violet .
Elm , Ulmus sp. Elm, like many trees, produces its flowers early in the season. They are wind-pollinated, and so there are numerous anthers to produce the pollen. This is probably a wych elm, and was growing along the river bank in Kirkdale. This particular palnt was growing at the edge of a field.