Scrophularia nodosa - Common Figwort - (Scrophulariaceae)

Common Figwort is common throughout the UK and Ireland except for the far north.

This tall plant of shaded hedgerows and woods prefers damp soil. The stem has a square cross-section, which helps distinguish it from deadly nightshade (whose stems are round). The flowers, at typically 8mm across, are only about a third the size of those of deadly nightshade.

Common figwort

The first flowers appear in early June, and figworts can be found blooming as late as September in well-shaded places. In the picture above, taken in early June, the dull purple flowers are just opening.