Ajuga chamaepitys Ground pine

Ajuga chamaepitys ©Judith Shorter/Plantlife

A small plant with long, narrow, hairy leaves and little yellow flowers nesting close to the stem, making it easily overlooked.

It needs small patches of open ground on chalk soil to grow, so it is found on steep downland grazed by rabbits or sheep, as well as arable field margins.

Historically it was fairly common in the south-east of England, but it is now confined to about 12 sites, mainly on the North Downs of Kent and Surrey.

The major reasons for its decline are habitat changes due to loss of grazing, smothering by coarse plants, and changes in agricultural practices, i.e. loss of field margins and use of herbicides and fertilisers.These factors still threaten its future.

Classified as Endangered, it is considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. It is also protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.