Mallaig flower puzzle - Sept 07.

[StuartDH]

No photo I'm afraid - just a description of a flower I've never seen before.

It was growing with it's feet in or just above a small stream, nowhere near property, in an open aspect and there were just 2 small clumps seen on our evening walk, just out of Mallaig. White flower streaked pale green, with four or five petals and most of the flowers had five petals (a little like saxifrage in appearance though larger than I consider common saxifrage) with each petal being about the size of a small fingernail. The flower was borne on a thin, tough, stem not unlike that of a harebell and about 6 inches from the flower appeared the first leaf which was single and heart shaped in appearance, similar to a 'spade' on playing cards, with no serration - there was no stalk between the stem and leaf apparent and the pointed end of the heartshape was outermost. Some inches further down there were other leaves similarly single and spaced. It was probably 2ft in height.

Any ideas would be appreciated - wish I'd had my camera with me

Tinkerbell (Stu has been using my computer and I'm logged on as he! Don't know how to change the log in.

[Gill Catton]

my colleague reckoned on Grass-of-Parnassus Parnassia palustris right up until you said it was 2 ft tall....... that wasn't a typo was it?
in the book it says 30cm at the most (1 ft)

[JennyS]

Hi theres a link to Grass of Parnassus here

Google Image Result for http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/images/parnassiaceae/parnassia-palustris-2.jpg

[Tinkerbell]

Thanks folks - I reckon 'tis a Bog Star (PP) as you both suggested.

I've now had a look at a few sites and apparently up to 2ft is possible. Can't account for some flowers having only 4 petals, but then we do have peculiarities sometimes.

No sign of this flower in our gallery - if anyone has a picture of the flower and leaves it would be helpful. Anyone living around Mallaig? I could tell you more accurately where I found it or perhaps someone on Skye could help.

Cheers. Tinkerbell

[IanS]

I've been trying to find that same plant in the last few days but had no luck with it yet. Maybe at the weekend....
Great site you pointed us all to there Jenny. Someone has worked very hard on that site!
Ian

[JennyS]

Yes, that site is one I found a while back and keep going back to - beautiful photos and really useful text and id tips.

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

No sign of this flower in our gallery -

Cheers. Tinkerbell

There is one:



The description sounds very much like Grass of Parnassus

[Tinkerbell]

Thanks Rob for pointing me towards the pics in the gallery. I'd looked there before asking the question, but because there was no sign of the leaves I described I hadn't recognised the plants illustrated. Just goes to show how important it is to get a pic with flowers and leaf if at all possible, if it is being used to identify, rather than being a lovely shot of the flower. I must remember that when next out for a walk - at least if I've got my camera with me I'm in with a chance.

Puzzle solved!

Tinkerbell