Rare flower found thriving in nature reserve

About 130 rare Tubular Water Dropwort plants were counted at the nature reserve

A rare flower has been rediscovered for the first time in seven years thriving in a nature reserve - thanks to perfect weather conditions and the control of dense vegetation.

The Tubular Water Dropwort, a member of the carrot family of plants, had been threatened with near extinction.

About 130 of the plants were found by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust team at Rye Meads Nature Reserve near Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.

Ian Carle, nature reserves manager at the trust, described it as "an incredible find, given its rarity."

It is believed the wet spring and recent dry period may have provided ideal conditions for the plant.

According to the trust, the rare flower was discovered amongst the dense vegetation of the wetland meadow which was cut back last year.

Tubular Water Dropwort can be identified by distinctive rounded, white and pink heads.

There has not been a reported sighting of the plant at the nature reserve since 2018.

Mr Carle continued: "When these plants are in flower, they are easier to identify and to count, which is why we look for them at this time of year.

"Cutting the meadow last year has opened up the vegetation benefiting species such as the Water Dropwort."