Arguably this is one of the commonest plants in the whole of the British Isles. It doesn't mind altitude so you find it by the sea or on mountain tops and it is present on all the islands, the mainland and the whole of Ireland too. It is a plant of wet ground and you can use it as an indicator of sogginess. It will not only grow by streams and in bogs and swamps but where there is any reasonable moisture in the soil such as in an unimproved field, or even in window boxes and planting tubs.

By small stream in close to Yr Eifl, Lleyn Peninsula, Wales 25th July 2005

Added on November 3rd 2005, updated 11th February 2010, updated 13th April 2010