Key Native Wildflowers of Wales and Their Biodiversity Value


    Wildflower

    Supports

    Devil's-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis)

    Marsh fritillary butterfly larvae, bumblebees, hoverflies, solitary bees. Important in South Wales grasslands.

    Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

    Common blue butterfly, dingy skipper, numerous moth species, bumblebees.

    Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)

    One of the most valuable nectar plants for butterflies, bees, hoverflies and beetles.

    Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

    Pollinating flies, beetles, bees and seed-eating birds.

    Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

    Long-tongued bumblebees, particularly common carder bee and buff-tailed bumblebee.

    Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor)

    Suppresses vigorous grasses, allowing many other wildflowers to thrive; indirectly benefits pollinators.

    Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

    Hoverflies, beetles and moths.

    Cuckooflower / Lady's Smock (Cardamine pratensis)

    Larval foodplant for orange-tip butterflies.

    Viper's-bugloss (Echium vulgare)

    Extremely attractive to bees and hoverflies.

    Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis)

    Honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies and moths.

    Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

    Foodplant for orange-tip and green-veined white butterflies.

    Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)

    Bumblebees and specialist insects.

    Marsh Violet (Viola palustris)

    Foodplant for fritillary butterflies.

    Dog Violet (Viola riviniana)

    Essential larval foodplant for fritillary butterflies.

    Dyer's Greenweed (Genista tinctoria)

    Specialist bees and other pollinating insects.

    Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)

    Supports specialist pollinator interactions and increases habitat diversity.