cocksfoot

dactylis glomerata

• A very common grass
   
• Flower head has 3 or more compact spikes looking a little like a cock’s foot, hence the name
   
• The base of the stem is flat in cross section
   
• Look out for its protruding anthers (a tiny club-like structure) to tell its flowering
   

Where found

All grassland and waste ground
 

When to look for

You can help scientists monitor the effect of climate change on this species by telling us the date when you first see it flowering where you live

• First flowers May-June