Parietaria judaica - Pellitory-of-the-wall

This is a member of the Nettle family (Urticaceae).

This plan is found on walls, cliffs and steep hedge banks. It is much commoner in the south of Britain and in vc77 prefers sheltered spots.

The stems are conspicuously reddish-purple with small reddish-purple flowers. It is soft, hairy and has un-toothed alternate oval leaves.

There is another species Parietaria officinalis which so far has not been reported in vc77 but has leaves at least 12cm long and the flower bracts are not joined unlike in P. judaica where they are fused.