Bugle (Ajuja reptans) is a common wildflower but not all that common in North Hertfordshire in my estimation. I came across a rather fine display yesterday when I walked through Hill End Chalk Pit on the way to Hitch Wood.

 A. reptans spreads by means of rooting runners. The flower spike is only a few inches tall with a rosette of oval leaves at the base. Various cultivars are available, often recommended as ground cover plants. The wild form weaves its way through grass and other low growing plants popping up here and there.

 Postscript 26th. April. I walked this way again and photographed the Bugle in brighter light: