Pulmonaria longifolia

Why it’s special
Large, furry, spotted leaves make this rare native pulmonaria – a relation of the more common Lungwort planted in many gardens – easy to spot. Nowadays it is found only in the Hampshire Basin, including the Isle of Wight. A member of the borage family and commonly known as ‘Jerusalem Cowslip’, the Narrow-leaved Lungwort throws up dense clusters of pretty purple and blue funnel-shaped flowers in spring.

Where to find it
The Narrow-leaved Lungwort flourishes on clay soils in coppiced woodland including Briddlesford and Firestone Copses in the north of the Isle of Wight. You can also see it growing along the banks of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. One of the best places to spot the plant is in the Wildlife Trust reserve at Swanpond Copse.

What else is there at Swanpond Copse?
Spring flowers like the Wood Anemone, Primrose and Bluebell are a spectacular sight in this small Ash and Oak woodland, which also has a traditional Hazel coppice, to support its Dormouse and Red Squirrel population – they prefer the large quantities of nut produced!

Best time to see
Spring

Find out more:

www.hwt.org.uk/files/swanpond.pdf

OS grid reference: SZ 597 902

Please contact the Wildlife Trust on 01983 533 180 before visiting

printable page