Herbaceous (HER)

The levels for the Herbaceous category can be divided into a category for wetland plants and anyother for other herbaceous plants.

Submerged hydrophytes (SHY)

Plants that grow in aquatic conditions with the whole plant submerged in water. This category includes marine species and floating species which overwinter below the surface. Excludes aquatic bryophytes. 

Emergent hydrophytes (EHY)

Plants that grow in aquatic conditions with the main plant above water.

Helophytes (HEL)

Plants that plants that grow in waterlogged conditions.

Leafy hemicryptophytes (LHE)

Broad leaved herbaceous species, sometimes termed forbs. 

Caespitose hemicryptophytes (CHE)

Perennial monocotyledonous grasses and sedges.

Therophytes (THE)

Annual plants that survive during the unfavourable season as seeds.

Geophytes (GEO)

Plants with buds below the soil surface

Cryptogams (CRY)

Non saxicolous bryophytes and lichens. Includes aquatic bryophytes, e.g. Sphagna and Racomitrium lanuginosum which is not saxicolous.

Herbaceous chamaephytes (HCH):

Plant with non succulent leaves and not a shrubby form.