BROOKWEED
Samolus Valerandi
Primrose Family [Primulaceae] 
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Primrose Family [Primulaceae]
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flower
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morph
petals
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| 2nd July 2009, Southport Salt Marshes, Lancashire. | Photo: © RWD |
| A stampede of Brookweed. |
| 2nd July 2009, Southport Salt Marshes, Lancashire. | Photo: © RWD |
| The stem leaves are spoon-shaped, and erect close to the stem. |
| 2nd July 2009, Southport Salt Marshes, Lancashire. | Photo: © RWD |
| The basal leaves larger, but similarly shaped. |
| 7th Aug 2009, Ainsdale Dune Slacks, Near Southport, Lancs. | Photo: © RWD |
| The flowers are smallish, between 2mm and 4mm, with five white splayed-out petals. The un-opened flower-buds quite distinctive and pentangular at the tip. |
| 2nd July 2009, Southport Salt Marshes, Lancashire. | Photo: © RWD |
| The yellow pollen is presented deep within the throat of the flower, reminiscent of Scurveygrasses and Pepperworts, but this plant belongs to the Primrose Family with five petals, not the cabbage (Crucifer) Family with only four. |
| 2nd July 2009, Southport Salt Marshes, Lancashire. | Photo: © RWD |
| The sepals triangular and re-curved at the tip. |
| 7th Aug 2009, Ainsdale Dune Slacks, Near Southport, Lancs. | Photo: © RWD |
| Some flower buds sit in the nook of the stem leaves. |
| 7th Aug 2009, Ainsdale Dune Slacks, Near Southport, Lancs. | Photo: © RWD |
| Another distinctive feature are the very short narrow bracts just beyond mid-way up each flower stem. The flower stalks are alternately up the stem. |
| 7th Aug 2009, Ainsdale Dune Slacks, Near Southport, Lancs. | Photo: © RWD |
| Only a few Brookweeds have a side-branch. |
| 2nd July 2009, Southport Salt Marshes, Lancashire. | Photo: © RWD |
| Just like the Pepperworts, the flowers are on shortish stalks on the upper half of the stem with most opened of the flowers at the top. |
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Many similarities to : Distinguishing Feature : No relation to : Brooklime [a plant with similar name] which belongs to the Speedwell Genus of the Plantain Family, and not of the Primrose Family to which Brookweed belongs. Enjoys being near the sea and is also found in marshy meadows and damp places near the sea. ANY TEXT GOES HERE |
 Samolus |
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Primrose Family [Primulaceae]
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