The crested cows wheat is a lovely wild flower once found in abundance in woodlands, hedge bases, field margins, and roadsides, now it is very rare and in decline. This dramatic unusual looking flower which is related to the more common yellow rattle, has heads that are densely packed with deep purple toothed bracts, the flowers themselves display colours of rose, purple and yellow. It is semi parasitic relying on a number of host plants to top up food reserves, and cleverly tricks wood ants into dispersing its seeds by mimicking their cocoons.

I chose the image because of its dramatic nature in order to make a statement and raise awareness on how we can all help take action to preserve endangered species.

This print is a 6 colour reduction linocut.