A 2009 plant-hunter's diary

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

I was also falling over Amaranths, which I've still yet to sort out. The numbers indicate different plants, and it's a tough family to identify...

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

If anyone fancies having a go at naming them, all suggestions will be gratefully received

Post some pictures of the fruits seen through a microscope and I'll make some guesses....

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Sorry this is one of the various clones of Oxalis articulata.

Oxalis rosea is an upright annual plant with clusters of rose-pink flowers. Here are some pictures to compare.




The names O. articulata & O. rosea have been much misused in the past so it is common to find images of O. articulata online or in books labelled as O. rosea

Damn

Every picture I can find online labelled as O.rosea is obviously a mis-identified O. articulata, then, because none of them look anything like the ones you've posted. I'm definitely going to have to try to find a more reliable source to make my identifications from

I'm assuming then, that this image displayed on John Somerville's British Wild Flowers site is also an error? He does usually double-check the photos on his site, which is why I tend to trust them, but I suppose some will always slip through.

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Post some pictures of the fruits seen through a microscope and I'll make some guesses....

Sorry, I don't have that level of detail

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

Damn

Every picture I can find online labelled as O.rosea is obviously a mis-identified O. articulata, then, because none of them look anything like the ones you've posted. I'm definitely going to have to try to find a more reliable source to make my identifications from

I'm assuming then, that this image displayed on John Somerville's British Wild Flowers site is also an error? He does usually double-check the photos on his site, which is why I tend to trust them, but I suppose some will always slip through.

Yes, there has been/is a lot of confusion with this species. It partly stems from them both sharing an old name of Oxalis floribunda (which is in fact a distinct species similar to O. articulata).

The photo on the British Wild Flowers site is interesting - I can't quite make out what it is, but it isn't O. rosea.

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

The photo on the British Wild Flowers site is interesting - I can't quite make out what it is, but it isn't O. rosea.

just noticed they that they have the same picture on their Oxalis debilis page too...

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

just noticed they that they have the same picture on their Oxalis debilis page too...

Yes, something's obviously gone badly wrong there

I had some photos of new species for him annyway, so I've e-mailed John Somerville to point out his mistake

[davidbr]

Right, here's a few I could use some help on

I'm not great on water-plants; these were taken in still water (a pond around the cathedral) at Wells. Somerset, and I think it's two different species. Curly Waterweed (Lagarosiphon major) is supposed to be naturalised there, but I'm not convinced this is it.





This umbellifer was in amongst a whole load of other casuals; it was going over, but I've got a clear shot of the fruits and leaf structure so I'm hoping it's identifiable



This one might just be Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia) but for some reason it just looks "different". Corsican Speedwell (V. repens) appears somewhat similar and the habitat fits, in cracks between paving stones, but I don't have any decent images of it to compare with.



And does anyone familiar with Stachys x ambigua, the hybrid between Marsh & Hedge Woundwort? There aren't many pictures of it available to check. The photos aren't wonderful because I had to use the zoom, but they should still be good enough to identify.



Thanks to anyone who can help out with any of these

[JennyS]

Hi David,
I've a couple photo's of Stachys x ambigua here, though not sure if they'll be large enough to help:
Stachys ambigua

Jenny

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

Right, here's a few I could use some help on

I'm not great on water-plants; these were taken in still water (a pond around the cathedral) at Wells. Somerset, and I think it's two different species. Curly Waterweed (Lagarosiphon major) is supposed to be naturalised there, but I'm not convinced this is it.

These are all mosses of some kind

Originally Posted by davidbr

This umbellifer was in amongst a whole load of other casuals; it was going over, but I've got a clear shot of the fruits and leaf structure so I'm hoping it's identifiable

I'll have a think on this one. The thing coming to mind at the moment is Hemlock - but I will check

Originally Posted by davidbr

This one might just be Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia) but for some reason it just looks "different". Corsican Speedwell (V. repens) appears somewhat similar and the habitat fits, in cracks between paving stones, but I don't have any decent images of it to compare with.

I think it is just Thyme-leaved Speedwell

Originally Posted by davidbr

And does anyone familiar with Stachys x ambigua, the hybrid between Marsh & Hedge Woundwort? There aren't many pictures of it available to check. The photos aren't wonderful because I had to use the zoom, but they should still be good enough to identify.

Not very familiar with this but I think it probably is the hybrid

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

I'll have a think on this one. The thing coming to mind at the moment is Hemlock - but I will check

Having obtained a second opinion we think it is Fool's Parsley (Aethusa cynapium)

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by JennyS

Hi David,
I've a couple photo's of Stachys x ambigua here, though not sure if they'll be large enough to help:
Stachys ambigua

Jenny

Yes, thanks Jenny; a great help

I'm satisfied with that identification, so Stachys x ambigua it is

Now all I've got to do is get to the bottom of those amaranths...

[davidbr]

When you think of amaranths, it's usually fairly plain, weedy-type plants that come to mind... but not this time!

These allotments must have been using waste from a nearby city farm, and as a result dozens, no hundreds, of flowering spikes have sprung up. These spectacular ones, Prince's-feather (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) would have graced any flowerbed!


Prince's-feather, Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Most of them seem to be Purple Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), although there's still some yet to be identified. Quite a sight!


Purple Amaranth, Amaranthus cruentus

Also, this pennywort had colonised a small pond. It took me a while to name it, because it's not on the BSBI database nor in my Alien Plants of the British Isles guide, but it's undoubtedly Hydrocotyle umbellata, an American species known as Manyflower Marsh-pennywort. I'd never even heard of it before


Manyflower Marsh-pennywort, Hydrocotyle umbellata

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

When you think of amaranths, it's usually fairly plain, weedy-type plants that come to mind... but not this time!

These allotments must have been using waste from a nearby city farm, and as a result dozens, no hundreds, of flowering spikes have sprung up. These spectacular ones, Prince's-feather (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) would have graced any flowerbed!


Prince's-feather, Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Most of them seem to be Purple Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), although there's still some yet to be identified. Quite a sight!


Purple Amaranth, Amaranthus cruentus

Also, this pennywort had colonised a small pond. It took me a while to name it, because it's not on the BSBI database nor in my Alien Plants of the British Isles guide, but it's undoubtedly Hydrocotyle umbellata, an American species known as Manyflower Marsh-pennywort. I'd never even heard of it before


Manyflower Marsh-pennywort, Hydrocotyle umbellata

Think you are right with these three. I have never heard of Hydrocotyle umbellata occurring as an alien in Britain before.

Both species of Amaranth are grown for grain so may well have been planted on the allotments. They are certainly both grown in some gardens around here

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Think you are right with these three. I have never heard of Hydrocotyle umbellata occurring as an alien in Britain before.

Both species of Amaranth are grown for grain so may well have been planted on the allotments. They are certainly both grown in some gardens around here

I'm 99% sure they've sprung up as casuals; the individual plots are all in different hands and they've appeared in amongst all kinds of food crops (the A. hypochondriacus plants were in a rhubarb patch).

Apparently the adjoining city farm bag up their sweepings from the animal pens and hand them to the allotment owners, who spread them on their plots. Why that should mean all these Amaranths appearing, I don't know; maybe it's an impurity in animal feed?

The Hydrocotyle umbellata seems well established in its pond here. I don't know if it would be a first British record, but I can't find any reference to it anywhere else. There's no indication it's grown in gardens over here, either, but in its native North America it's described as a "noxious weed" - suggesting it has every chance of persisting

[davidbr]

Having had a "quiet" day today, I've spent my time sorting out some of the various photos (dating back to late August) I'd been unable to, or chickened out of, firmly identifying. That's thrown up a few species that would be new for my list; I'm reasonably sure of them, otherwise I wouldn't have named them in the first place, but after I mis-identified Oxalis rosea a little while ago I've resolved to post all potential additions on here first

That way, with the help of others, I can correct any mistakes before they're allowed to fester - I'm not too bad at this and getting better, but I'm certainly no expert and I hate leaving any photo un-named

Right...

This labiate, on a Somerset Levels peat-heap, I believe to be Bifid Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis bifida); it's described as common so I've probably overlooked rather than missed it in the past.



I just took this one for the hell of it, but the four petals (rather than five) seems to make it Potentilla x mixta, the hybrid between Creeping Cinquefoil P. reptans & Tormentil P. erecta.



These mints are a real nightmare and I've spent a long time staring at this one; it's one of the hybrids and the teeth seemingly not recurved would make it False Apple-mint (Mentha x rotundifolia). But I'm probably totally wrong

[davidbr]

It's meant to be common and it's a plant I've been after for quite some time, but I've put this one down as Equal-leaved Knotgrass (Polygonum arenastrum). I'd welcome someone telling me it isn't (or is) wishful thinking



Another one that I've always thought I must have seen somewhere, if only I could identify it, False Virginia-creeper (Parthenocissus inserta. This plant was on waste ground in Filton, Bristol, and according to the Vegetative Key to British Flora, the four branches to the tendril makes it P. inserta - P. quinquefolia, the common Virginia-creeper, is meant to have 5-12. The rest of the description seems to fit, too...



I'm also not totally happy about this one, but that's mainly because I can't find a good, reasonable-sized image to compare with. This Hebe, more by a process of elimination and because I can't find anything else it could be, I've named as Dieffenbach's Hebe (Hebe dieffenbachii).



This Eryngo, another product of my grave-hunting in cemeteries, had sprung up on an old plot (Filton Cemetery, where it's still there and obvious if anyone is keen... ). It's only just in flower, and I'd imagine it being a likely constituent in wreaths, which probably explains this one. Italian Eryngo (Eryngium amethystium) is my verdict - feel free to disagree



And lastly... for a while I refused to accept it, but I just can't think of anything else it could be. This stitchwort, Stellaria-type flower was in Somerset churchyard hedgerow in late August, nowhere near water (if it had been, I'd probably have dismissed it as Water Chickweed). So.. Wood Stitchwort (Stellaria nemorum)?

[davidbr]

A couple more additions, albeit less than exciting garden throw-outs...



Sprouting up from a pile of dumped soil in a builder's yard, Canary Island Ivy (Hedera canariensis - probably of the variegated cultivar "Gloire de Marengo"



In the same place and on the same soil-heap, Hosta nakaiana, apparently known as Grand Tiara Plantain-lily

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

A couple more additions, albeit less than exciting garden throw-outs...



Sprouting up from a pile of dumped soil in a builder's yard, Canary Island Ivy (Hedera canariensis - probably of the variegated cultivar "Gloire de Marengo"

I think this is probably Hedera algeriensis (Algerian Ivy). This is often misnamed H. canariensis which is a less commonly grown species. 'Gloire de Marengo' is a cultivar of H. algeriensis.

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

This labiate, on a Somerset Levels peat-heap, I believe to be Bifid Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis bifida); it's described as common so I've probably overlooked rather than missed it in the past.

I agree

Originally Posted by davidbr

These mints are a real nightmare and I've spent a long time staring at this one; it's one of the hybrids and the teeth seemingly not recurved would make it False Apple-mint (Mentha x rotundifolia). But I'm probably totally wrong

I think it is probably Mentha x villosa. The leaf-teeth look wrong for M. x rotundifolia to me (not that I am familiar with it...)

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

It's meant to be common and it's a plant I've been after for quite some time, but I've put this one down as Equal-leaved Knotgrass (Polygonum arenastrum). I'd welcome someone telling me it isn't (or is) wishful thinking

It is best to look at fruit shape for this one. However, I don't think it is P. arenastrum, this tends to be a very prostrate plant.

Originally Posted by davidbr

Another one that I've always thought I must have seen somewhere, if only I could identify it, False Virginia-creeper (Parthenocissus inserta. This plant was on waste ground in Filton, Bristol, and according to the Vegetative Key to British Flora, the four branches to the tendril makes it P. inserta - P. quinquefolia, the common Virginia-creeper, is meant to have 5-12. The rest of the description seems to fit, too...

Not very convinced by this. I think I can see 5 branches, which comes within range of either species.

Originally Posted by davidbr

This Eryngo, another product of my grave-hunting in cemeteries, had sprung up on an old plot (Filton Cemetery, where it's still there and obvious if anyone is keen... ). It's only just in flower, and I'd imagine it being a likely constituent in wreaths, which probably explains this one. Italian Eryngo (Eryngium amethystium) is my verdict - feel free to disagree

Not one I am familiar with but a quick look at Google Images makes me think not. Also it looks quite tall in your picture, E. amethystinum has a maximum of 45cm.

Originally Posted by davidbr

And lastly... for a while I refused to accept it, but I just can't think of anything else it could be. This stitchwort, Stellaria-type flower was in Somerset churchyard hedgerow in late August, nowhere near water (if it had been, I'd probably have dismissed it as Water Chickweed). So.. Wood Stitchwort (Stellaria nemorum)?

I'm pretty sure this is Water Chickweed. Wood Stitchwort has petals much longer than the sepals than your specimen has. The leaf-shape also puts me off. If you can enlarge your original pictures you may be able to count the number of styles. Water Chickweed should have five and Wood Stitchwort three.

[davidbr]

Thanks for your help; yes, the Polygonum arenastrum & Parthenocissus inserta were probably wishful thinking (I must, must surely have overlooked both at some time or another...) and the "Wood Stitchwort" does indeed have five styles, not 3. A very odd habitat for Water Chickweed, though; I've never seen it away from water before, if it'd been by a stream I probably wouldn't even have bothered to take the photo

I'm also far from happy with that Hebe, so I'm going to take another look at that before putting a firm name to it

With the Eryngiums, I think I've actually made two mistakes. This latest one looks to be Blue Eryngo Eryngium planum, clearly a much taller plant, and the small Eryngium I found earlier in September and originally ID'd as E. planum, I think that one's actually E. amethystinum.

So, my second attempt at those ones:


Italian Eryngo, Eryngium amethystinum


Blue Eryngo, Eryngium planum

[davidbr]

I also found this intriguing plant a few days ago, in the same place as all those Amaranths had sprung up from. Clearly a Helianthus (Sunflower), the only match I can find is Helianthus strumosus, Pale-leaved Sunflower. It seems to be quite a rare alien in the modern era, though, so I'd be interested to see if anyone had any other ideas?

[davidbr]

A couple more additions, both from my Unidentifieds folder...

I'm now far more convinced that this plant, found on the Sheringham cliffs in Norfolk on June 25th, is Dieffenbach's Hebe (Hebe dieffenbachiana).



And this one, from the Ted Ellis reserve at Wheatfen, in the Norfolk Broads (an excellent site for all manner of species, by the way) I've managed to name as Fang's Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster fangianus)

[davidbr]

And a few more!!

I've made a couple of different visit to look at & photograph this Sorbus sapling with odd leaves at Leigh Woods, in the Avon Gorge. Six or seven different whitebeam species, native & introduced, grow in the Gorge, but this one does indeed seem to be what I'd first suspected; a young tree of Hybrid Whitebeam, Sorbus x thuringiaca), the hybrid between Common Whitebeam S. aria & Common Rowan S. aucuparia.


Hybrid Whitebeam, Sorbus x thuringiaca

This one's been baffling me since May; at first I thought it was a stonecrop, but I posted it on here a couple of months back and Tiggrx advised it was actually a saxifrage. Which it is, because I've finally managed to match it up; Kabschia Saxifrage, Saxifraga x apiculata, a garden hybrid.


Kabschia Saxifrage, Saxifraga x apiculata

And although it's a plant I'm very unfamiliar with, this looks a dead ringer for images I've seen of Mexican-tea (Chenopodium ambrosioides). So that's what I'm putting it down as


Mexican-tea, Chenopodium ambrosioides

That brings the list total up to 1377; I don't think I'll meet my year's target of 1400, being as it is near the end of September, but there's still a chance

[pammosley]

So many plants David My aim was to find, photograph & LEARN 200 this year (first year) I`m up to 198, with everyone`s help of corse
Well done, there`s still time