Marsh Gentian? and a vetch

[black]

I photographed these close to Leasowe Lighthouse in the North Wirral Coutry Park last week. Can anyone tell me are the first two photos (same plant) a Marsh Gentian. I've never seen one before although I'm visiting a site next month where I know they occur. The third pic is some sort of Vetch I presume. Any help appreciated
Thanks

[ceterach]

Hi

No I'm afraid not. The first looks to me like a latish Spring Squill (Scilla verna) or it could be an early Autumn Squill (Scilla autumnalis) but the latter is rare in the north. There were some good images of Marsh Gentian posted to the gallery last year.

The second plant looks to me like Lucerne (Medicago sativa) frequently grown for cattle feed.

All the best.

[leifus]

I agree with lucerne but isn't the first one a bellflower of some sort - spreading perhaps???

[Hottentot]

Hello

Here is a link to me blog showing Marsh Gentians

A Dorset Diary - Hartland Moor - Marsh Gentians

In this part of the world they don't normally appear until August sometimes late July.

Cheers
Aidan

[leifus]

Welcome to WAB Hottentot!!!

[aeshna5]

I would say:

1/2 Spreading Bellflower, Campanula patula
3 Lucerne, Medicago sativa ssp. sativa.

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I would say:

1/2 Spreading Bellflower, Campanula patula
3 Lucerne, Medicago sativa ssp. sativa.

Hi Aeshna and all

1/2 This can't be a Campanula surely, it has a perianth, no calyx/sepals/petals, filament comes from the perianth and flowers look as though they are in an umbel-like inflorescence. Looking at it more carefully I don't think it is Spring Squill but it is surely a member of a monocot family, I suspect Liliaceae. It would be nice to know how big the plant is and what the leaves were like.

All the best

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by Hottentot

Hello

Here is a link to me blog showing Marsh Gentians

A Dorset Diary - Hartland Moor - Marsh Gentians

In this part of the world they don't normally appear until August sometimes late July.

Cheers
Aidan

Yes, welcome Hottentot, great blog!!

All the best

[JennyS]

1/2 This can't be a Campanula surely

I agree with ceterach, it doesn't look like a campanula!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by ceterach

Hi Aeshna and all

1/2 This can't be a Campanula surely, it has a perianth, no calyx/sepals/petals, filament comes from the perianth and flowers look as though they are in an umbel-like inflorescence. Looking at it more carefully I don't think it is Spring Squill but it is surely a member of a monocot family, I suspect Liliaceae. It would be nice to know how big the plant is and what the leaves were like.

All the best

Good points- I should have looked more carefully!

[black]

Thanks for all the replies and the ID of Lucerne (Medicago sativa).
Unfortunately I didn't really take much notice of the leaves of the mystery plant, it was growing in thick grass and I had to do a little grass gardening before I could take the photo. It probably stood about 1.5 ft tall.

[JennyS]

Did the plant have quite a lot of these flower-heads, or was it a solitary flowering stem?
If there were multiple flower stems it might be worth a google for species of 'Agapanthus'

[Bub-les]

The first one is a bulb Triteleia laxa usually known as Brodiaea.
The leaves come first in the spring they die and then the flowers appear about now. I have it in my garden
Barbara

[black]

Thanks Bub-les, just googled Triteleia laxa, you're spot-on Apparently it is a Californian plant known with several local names: Grass nut, Fool's onion, Starflower and Pretty Face.

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by Bub-les

The first one is a bulb Triteleia laxa usually known as Brodiaea.
The leaves come first in the spring they die and then the flowers appear about now. I have it in my garden
Barbara

Good one Barbara. Not a plant I have in my garden!!!

All the best

[jhewitt15]

not sure the gentian things. but the vetch is a definite lucerne