West Highland Flora

Dog's Mercury


Mercurialis perennis

 

Mercurialis perennis

Photo © Carl Farmer
(11 May 2002 Inverness)

Male plant

Common in Argyll but rare further north.  In woodland or shady places.

Flower diameter c 4-5 mm.  Plant 15-40 cm tall.

ID: Flowers tiny, greenish, on long thin upward stalks arising from axils of upper leaves.  Stems unbranched.

Other features: Separate male and female plants.  Female plants have hairy fruit 6-8 mm across.  Flowers of both kinds have 3 sepals.  Male have 8-15 stamens, female have 2 styles.

 

  Mercurialis perennis

Photo © Carl Farmer
(11 May 2002 Inverness)
 

 
  Female plant  
     
     
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