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Ragged Robin · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Ragged Robin

Lychnis flos-cuculi

Not yet photographed by the community

Fringed pink petals; classic damp meadow flower.

Species Profile

Green List (secure in the UK)

Lifespan: 2–3 years (short-lived perennial or biennial)
Size & Weight: 30–60 cm tall; flowers 1.5–2 cm diameter with deeply fringed petals
Habitat: Damp meadows, fens, marshes, and wet grassland with high moisture and often poor drainage.
UK Distribution: Found throughout the UK, but more common in northern and western regions; absent from some southern lowland areas. Resident and non-migratory.
Diet: Photosynthetic plant; derives nutrients from soil and sunlight.
Predators: Slugs, snails, and herbivorous insects may browse seedlings and foliage; no major predators target the mature plant specifically.
Mating Season: May to July (flowering period)
Breeding: Produces numerous small seeds dispersed by wind and water; self-seeds readily in suitable damp conditions; reproduces sexually via seed.
Behaviour: Ragged Robin is a typical wetland specialist that thrives in nutrient-poor, waterlogged soils. It forms dense colonies in suitable habitats and is an excellent indicator of healthy wet grassland. The plant is pollinated by insects, particularly flies and butterflies attracted to its distinctive bright pink flowers.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 22 June 2026

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