A 2009 plant-hunter's diary

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

There was also this crucifer, which seemed to have awfully pale flowers; it's probably just Black Mustard (Brassica nigra), but something about it made me stop and take a photo...

Looks rather like Hirschfeldia incana to me

Originally Posted by davidbr

And if anyone could come up with a suggestion for what this is, I'd be very grateful

Maybe Many-seeded Goosefoot (Chenopodium polyspermum)

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by Vectisbirder

What a super thread! Ok, I will admit that plants aren't really my 'thing' although I love a pretty flower as much as the next person, but your enthusiasm is infectious and your photos are excellent. Good luck with the quest.

Well worded Pete! I love the aliens you are finding although some purists would dig them up and burn them. I just wish the Churchyards and Cemeteries near me had all these things. I once had Celery growing out of a railway bridge but it wasn't there this year.

[davidbr]

1st July 2009]

On a swelteringly hot day, and after a very tiring climb (there are 274 steps up to the top of Jacob's Ladder...), three new species were added at the Cheddar Gorge;



Cut-leaved Selfheal (Prunella laciniata)



Hybrid Selfheal (Prunella x intermedia)



Limestone Bedstraw (Galium sterneri)

Not forgetting, of course, the Gorge's special plant...

(Cheddar Pink, Dianthus gratianopolitanus)

And, this vetch which I could use some ID help with - growing in a shady, rocky wood at the side of the Gorge

[davidbr]

It's been a very frustrating time for me of late, unable to get out (although the terrible July weather means I probably didn't miss much...) but I've finally managed a trip into Somerset to catch up with a few local specialities.

In the village of Mells, the old dry-stone walls were home to lots of specimens of Cave Hawkweed (Hieracium speluncarum) - a well-known (and quite rare) escape, it's past its' best now and only the odd partially-opened flower could be seen.

(Cave Hawkweed, Hieracium speluncarum; in seed, and a flower about to open)

I'd feared the same might be true of the plant I was most desperate to see, but having walked a mile or so along the Mells Stream at Great Elm, a nice patch of Somerset Skullcap (Scutellaria altissima) was still out in bloom. As the name suggests it's been here for a while; apparently it's also been found in Surrey recently, but it's still quite a local rarity

(Somerset Skullcap, Scutellaria altissima)

I also came across a couple of trees, presumably self-sown, of the enormous pinnate-leaved Japanese Angelica-tree (Aralia elata). In amongst other vegetation it was a challenge to get a decent photo, though

(Japanese Angelica-tree, Aralia elata; various images)

By the river, on a pile of rotting grass cuttings, was an Epilobium that I think is Pale Willowherb (Epilobium roseum). It was certainly unlike any I've ever seen before, but I'm not yet totally certain...

(Pale Willowherb, Epilobium roseum?)

A native addition for a change; Corn Mint (Mentha arvensis) had somehow eluded me last season, but I came across a small patch on a damp patch in Edford Woods. It's best-known as a site for native Monk's-hood (Aconitum napellum) which I'd hoped to photograph in flower; sadly, though, I was too late...

(Corn Mint, Mentha arvensis)

Forcing an emergency stop on the A36 passing through the village of Norton St Philip, this patch of white-flowered plants that'd been deliberately spared the mower turned out to be Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

(Moth Mullein, Verbascum blattaria)

And last but not least, growing out of a tiny pavement crack back in urban Bristol... Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Finally, I'd found one

[davidbr]

I'd also appreciate some opinions on this Montbretia clump - I can't decide whether it's Giant Montbretia (Crocosmia masoniorum) or Aunt-Eliza (C. paniculata)?

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

I'd also appreciate some opinions on this Montbretia clump - I can't decide whether it's Giant Montbretia (Crocosmia masoniorum) or Aunt-Eliza (C. paniculata)?

I think C. masoniorum

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

I think C. masoniorum

Thanks Tiggrx, that's what it'll go down as

That makes no. 1311 on my photo list; who knows, even after missing most of July I might still make my original target of 1400 by the end of the season...

[KeenTeen17]

Yep your Willowherb is indeed E. roseum

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

Yep your Willowherb is indeed E. roseum

Thanks, KT - it's duly been added

[davidbr]

Some finds from my tour around the Bristol waterfront and Avon Gorge this morning...



Virgin's-bower (Clematis flammula) - scrambling over a bank near the Industrial Museum, this was a new species for me and a plant I've long wanted to see. As far as I know it'll be a first record for the Bristol area, and it must have sprung up on site recently because I'm sure I'd have noticed it if it'd been there last year



Summer Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) - near the Virgin's-bower, it's almost over now but just the odd flower still lingers on.



Hybrid Coralberry (Symphoricarpos x chenaultii) - in flower along the River Avon towpath, none of the distinctive bright pink berries at the moment.



Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) - one plant by the side of the road at Leigh Woods.



Robin's-plantain (Erigeron philadelphicus) - a plant I first found here in May, this was the only one still in flower at the site on a roadside verge at Leigh Woods.



Peach-leaved Bellflower (Campanula persicifolia) - a pretty common escape, but the first time I've seen the white form in the wild.



Rosy Evening-primrose (Oenothera rosea) - the colony I found last summer has persisted, and I believe this could be the only established site in the country for this American casual.



Keeled Garlic (Allium carinatum) - well naturalised and increasing in the Avon Gorge, large patches of it in flower at the moment.



Ivy Broomrape (Orobanche hederae) - this was the only one still in flower, most of them were out in June and have now died off



Sowbread (Cyclamen hederifolium) - a lovely display of these on the grassy verges at Leigh Woods right now.