Flower of the day

[Pete Collins]

Today I went for a long walk (just for a change! ), following my favourite local route that takes me to the village of Little Gaddesden and back. It was a very dismal and grey day (still, I should be grateful it didn't rain, it was a Bank Holiday after all!), so I was glad to see a few wildflowers that added a rare touch of colour to the scene.

The first contender for my Flower of the Day was some lovely blue Flax, only the second or third time I've seen it this year:

Flax

Then I saw one of my favourite wildflowers, some lovely pink Musk Mallow:

Musk Mallow

But then as I was walking through the last field before reaching Little Gaddesden, I remembered seeing some Fox-and-cubs there last year, and started to look out for it. Sure enough, there were six of the charming orange flowers next to the path:

Fox-and-cubs

But in the end, my Flower of the Day has to be ... Violet Helleborine!





Sorry for the very poor picture quality, the light wasn't good and I haven't yet learned how to use the flash on my camera effectively. I only saw my first Violet Helleborines on Friday, when I did a walk in Buckinghamshire that went past a spot where another WAB member said he'd seen them. So I was delighted to find this one growing within a couple of miles of where I live.

[leifus]

Having followed deer stalkers instructions I managed these beauties in the new forest today

Field gentian



Bog orchid



Lesser bladderwort



(got any of these KeenTeen? )

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by leifus

Having followed deer stalkers instructions I managed these beauties in the new forest today

Field gentian



Bog orchid



Lesser bladderwort



(got any of these KeenTeen? )

I have seen loads of field gentian on the dunes

not seen bog orchid and am VERY jealous because we spent 2 hours searching a giant bog for a tiny green thing!


I saw a bladderwort earlier in the year but wasn't in flower. Not sure which it was! Anyway youre lucky you found one in flower

[leifus]

2 hours?? We spent 45 mins
Lots of bladderwort out today though

[leifus]

Greater celendine...nothing spectacular today....

[tufftie]

I think the daisy for me today - there are a few left and it always makes me think of happy childhood days

Please can one of the mods make this a sticky as it could be quite interesting in winter and early spring?

[leifus]

Frogbit at Titchfield Haven

[KeenTeen17]

I think meadow saffron today because I might see it on sunday along with wild liquourice and nettle leaved bellflower if there still out?

[KeenTeen17]

(forget this post)

[KeenTeen17]

today my flower of the day is western ramping fumitory!


seen that Leif?