Water Avens out in force

[rscott74]

I was out in a piece of wet woodland yesterday when I came across a host ot Water Avens which weren't evident a couple of weeks ago. A nice plant which sadly always hangs it's head. I notice that these ara absent in SE and rare in SW so if friends from those areas are passing the NE we have plenty!

[Hobjob]

They were out in Bradfield Wood (Suffolk WT) about two weeks ago, but not too many around. I was a tad late for the oxlips though, which were well past their best.

[Adam Cheeseman]

We do Water Avens in the SE but it is not common at all. I see the ones in your photos are actually hybrids with Wood Avens (Herb Bennet), hence the yellow petals instaed of pink ones.

Cheers,

Adam

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

We do Water Avens in the SE but it is not common at all. I see the ones in your photos are actually hybrids with Wood Avens (Herb Bennet), hence the yellow petals instaed of pink ones.

Cheers,

Adam

There was a colony in London which sadly disappeared under Heathrow expansion at Terminal 5!

[rscott74]

Adam, thanks for the info. I note from my reference book that the hybrid arises from from mixing with Wood Aven and that the hybrid can be fertile. Would it be worth doing a search of the wood looking for true Water Aven as well as Wood Aven or is the most likely senario that this is a long established hybrid colony? I recall seeing what I assumed were Water Avens around the same place last year but I think they had drooping yellow flowers.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by rscott74

Adam, thanks for the info. I note from my reference book that the hybrid arises from from mixing with Wood Aven and that the hybrid can be fertile. Would it be worth doing a search of the wood looking for true Water Aven as well as Wood Aven or is the most likely senario that this is a long established hybrid colony? I recall seeing what I assumed were Water Avens around the same place last year but I think they had drooping yellow flowers.

Difficult to say really. Water Avens doesn't normally grow in woodlands and where it does it is likely to have come from garden stock that are more tolerant of drier soils. If there are wet areas or runnels in the woodland it may be worth your while. Pure Water avens can have a slightly yellowish tinge to the petals but the overall impression should be a pinkish colour, and the flowers, be they pure or hybrid, will be drooping, as opposed to the erect Wood Avens.

It could be worth getting in touch with your county Wildlife Trust as they should hold biological/historical records, and if they don't know then they should be interested to hear of your findings.

My gut feeling is hybrid colony, but I hope I'm wrong.

Cheers,

Adam

[rscott74]

Thanks again Adam. I went back today and had a look at the various groups and they all appeared indentical hybrids. It's only a small wood (perhaps 300m x 200m) and forms part of a local nature reserve. The floor is now covered in brambles as well as being boggy in parts which makes it hard to examine. The Avens are easily seen as they are close to the board walk through the wood. I suspect they may have been introduced as there are no gardens nearby.
I might have a word with the L.A's Countryside Team to see if they any information. I recall one of the team saying that Avens were her favourite flower.

[ron1863]

We have lots of these in my neck of the woods. I always think it could be a pretty flower but it's as if it's hiding itself by always drooping.