A 2009 plant-hunter's diary

[KeenTeen17]

I'm not sure on the Clover but the Spurge is in my opinion Cypress Spurge. The leaves are thin enough, its the right height. If you went later on in the year I think the leaves redden and this is the clincher. I found some in similar habitat on some Sand Dunes local to me. It was full of escapees.

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

I'm not sure on the Clover but the Spurge is in my opinion Cypress Spurge. The leaves are thin enough, its the right height. If you went later on in the year I think the leaves redden and this is the clincher. I found some in similar habitat on some Sand Dunes local to me. It was full of escapees.

Thanks, KT - and I've since decided the clover is Rough Clover, Trifolium scabrum

[davidbr]

South Somerset, 1st - 5th June 2009

Having gotten hold of a copy of The Atlas Flora of Somerset, I'd decided to start June with a week based in the Minehead area in the hope of tracking down sites for a good range of interesting species. Unfortunately, with the book having been published in 1999, quite a few of the plants seem to have since died out - as is so often the case, though, when I missed my main target I'd usually end up finding something else just as interesting All in all, over the five days, I added 52 species to the list (plus 10 still to be identified...) - here's some of the highlights

Heading straight down the M5 from Bristol, we hopped off at Taunton to pay a visit to Ash Priors Common, where a beautiful clump of Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) was hard to miss.

(Siberian Iris, Iris sibirica)

A real bonus here was several dozen spikes of Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculosa) in a clearing in the centre of the common; I'd no idea they grew here until I read the reserve information board Common Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) were, well, common, and there were also quite a few plants that, with KT's help on the forum, I've since ID'd as the Common Spotted/Southern Marsh Orchid hybrid, Dactylorhiza x grandis

(Heath Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza maculata)

Just as we were about to give up, I eventually managed to find the "pond" on the edge of the common, as mentioned in the book. It was as dry as a bone, but Giant-rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) was indeed sending its giant leaves up through the nettles whilst, almost smothered by the same nettles, was Ornamental Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum)

(Giant-rhubarb, Gunnera tinctoria)

(Ornamental Rhubarb, Rheum palmatum)

There was no sign of any Caucasian Crosswort nearby in the churchyard at Fitzhead, but I did find a specimen of Olympic St John's Wort (Hypericum olympicum) by the side of the road, so it wasn't a wasted diversion

(Olympic St John's Wort, Hypericum olympicum)

[davidbr]

Having settled into our base at Doniford (about 10 miles along the coast from Minehead), I quickly added another unusual garden escape to the list; Lesser Mexican Stonecrop (Sedum confusum), although this turned out to be fairly frequent in the area on roadbanks and old graves etc.

For the rest of the afternoon, we headed into the neighbouring town of Watchet for some urban plant-hunting; a seaside town with plenty of old walls, a paper-mill and railway, this proved a good area for a range of escapes. Especially pavement weeds; Garden Viola (Viola x hybrida), Garden Lobelia (Lobelia erinus) & Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus) were especially frequent, a quite different range to that I'm used to in Bristol

(Seaside Daisy, Erigeron glaucus)

A building site had been colonised by lots of Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) plants, in a range of colours, the more unusual (for me) Garden Tobacco Plant (Nicotiana x sanderae) & a Japanese Spiraea (Spiraea japonica) - presumably a relic of whatever was on the site before, I'm not sure if its' yellowing leaves are a cultivar or a result of the dry conditions

(Garden Tobacco Plant, Nicotiana x sanderae)

(Japanese Spiraea, Spiraea japonica)

Above the railway station I was pleased to find Escallonia (Escallonia macrantha) & Hairy Vetchling (Lathyrus hirsutus), as well as an Elaeagnus I've yet to name...

(Escallonia, Escallonia macrantha)

(Hairy Vetchling, Lathyrus hirsutus)

But, the day's star find was without a doubt this beautiful pavement-crack weed which I've since identified as Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides)

(Mallow-leaved Bindweed, Convolvulus althaeoides

[davidbr]

Starting the day with a long and rather steep walk from Worthy Toll Road to Culbone Church, near Porlock (the smallest church in England, apparently ), I failed to find my main target, American Skunk-cabbage, but did add a couple of new species; Strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo), which was supposed to be "plentiful" but I only saw one small tree, and the local whitebeam Sorbus vexans - there were quite a few of these scattered through the woodland. Back by the Worthy Toll House, Pale Pink-sorrel (Oxalis incarnata) was spreading over the steps & paths - it seems to be a rapidly increasing species in this area.

(Pale Pink-sorrel, Oxalis incarnata)

Moving back to the coast at Porlock Weir, all kinds of plants were naturalised on the shingle beach & in the village streets, including Koromiko (Hebe salicifolia), Eastern Gladiolus (Gladiolus byzantinus) and a self-sown Escallonia (Escallonia micrantha). I also managed to find Knotted Clover (Trifolium striatum) in the short, coastal turf here

(Knotted Clover, Trifolium striatum)

A short distance along the coast at Bossington, this beautiful Altar-lily (Zantedeschia aethopica) was growing along the side of a stream by the National Trust car park. Orange Day-lily (Hemerocallis fulva) was also established nearby, with Great Barberry (Berberis glaucocarpa) on the woodland edge

(Altar-lily, Zantedeschia aethopica

(Great Barberry, Berberis glaucocarpa)

Down by the sea, Rough Clover (Trifolium scabrum) & Bird's-foot Clover (Trifolium ornithopodoides) was growing in the short rabbit-grazed turf, with Hairy Buttercup (Ranunculus sardous & Heath Groundsel (Senecio sylvaticus) nearby - the latter two were both new finds.

(Bird's-foot Clover, Trifolium ornithopodoides)

I also found the first Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima) I've seen in flower, and was surprised to find Rosy Evening-primrose (Oenothera rosea) well-naturalised in Bossington village itself

(Stinking Iris, Iris foetidissima)

(Rosy Evening-primrose, Oenothera rosea)

Then, heading back along the main A39 road, two emergency stops added Yellow Day-lily (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus) on a roadside bank and Pale Yellow-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium striatum) growing out of a wall...

(Yellow Day-lily, Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus)

(Pale Yellow-eyed-grass, Sisyrinchium striatum)

Finally, to round the day off, a trip to a pond in a disused quarry added New Zealand Pigmyweed (Crassula helmsii), seemingly spreading well, plus Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) planted nearby.

(New Zealand Pigmyweed, Crassula helmsii)

[davidbr]

Day Three, and we began the morning with a walk along a couple of miles of coastline; this area, between Blue Anchor and Minehead, is well known for a range of specialities and I was hopeful of tracking down most, if not all, of them.

Yellow-horned Poppy (Glaucium flavum) was easy; they were everywhere, all along the shingle, and made a fine sight. I soon found Suffocated Clover (Trifolium suffocatum) & Mossy Stonecrop (Crassula tillaea), in the short turf around some chalets, and a couple of plants I decided were the Smooth Cat's-ear (Hypochaeris glabra) this site is well-known for (though I'm waiting for someone to disagree...)

(Yellow-horned Poppy, Glaucium flavum)

(Mossy Stonecrop, Crassula tillaea)

(Suffocated Clover, Trifolium suffocatum)

(Smooth Cat's-ear, Hypochaeris glabra)

Fragrant Evening-primrose (Oenothera stricta) makes a fine show on the sand here, a reminder of the Brean & Berrow Dunes closer to home, and I also managed to fill a glaring gap in my list - for some reason I'd never found Field Pansy (Viola arvensis) last year but, well, I have now! Rough Clover (Trifolium scabrum) was also very common.

(Fragrant Evening-primrose, Oenothera stricta)

(Field Pansy, Viola arvensis)

(Rough Clover, Trifolium scabrum)

Greek Dock (Rumex cristatus) is common in this area, and along the seafront at Minehead there were also a couple of bushes of Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum)

(Greek Dock, Rumex cristatus)

(Spanish Broom, Spartium junceum)

[davidbr]

Nearby, at Dunster (site of the famous castle), I was in search of Chestnut-leaved Oak (Quercus castaneifolia) which, according to the Atlas Flora of Somerset, grew as a "single small tree at Park Gate, Vinegar Hill". Well, success; I found the site and found the tree, or at least what I assumed was it

(Chestnut-leaved Oak, Quercus castaneifolia)

In the village, pavement-crack weeds included quite a few Atlas Poppies (Papaver atlanticum), of a double-flowered form I'd never seen before

(Atlas Poppy, Papaver atlanticum)

And, later in the afternoon, after ending up in the village of Treborough (inland from Watchet), we chanced upon a fine selection of escapes in the lane-side verges; Jacob's-ladder (Polemonium caeruleum), plus three species of Cranesbill; Pencilled (Geranium versicolor), Rock (G. macrorrhizum) & Munich (G. x monacense). The latter I first identified as Dusky Cranesbill and it took a while for me to realise my mistake - but since I hadn't previously seen either, it didn't really matter

(Jacob's-ladder, Polemonium caeruleum)

(Pencilled Cranesbill, Geranium versicolor)

(Rock Cranesbill, Geranium macrorrhizum)

(Munich Cranesbill, Geranium x monacense)

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by davidbr

A couple more I could use some advice on, too;

Is this Subterranean Clover (Trifolium subterraneum)?

I think Trifolium scabrum is a very good suggestion - this from Northern Cyprus (note general characters - especially calyx):


cheers

Chris

PS you clearly know your plants! - if you spot any diseases (mildews, rusts etc.) on any of these aliens I would be very interested - check out the Fungal Plant Parasites thread on the Fungi Forum . . .

[davidbr]

Day Four began with a failure as, despite it supposedly being naturalised over "a wide area of heather moorland", I didn't manage to find Checkerberry at Haddon Hill, above the Wimbleball Reservoir. Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) was some form of compensation, I guess, as was the Pink-purslane (Claytonia sibirica) abundant along the River Exe at Exbridge...

...but it wasn't until we reached Dulverton that things really began to look up. Here, between the road and the river, was what I can only assume to be the remains of a long-neglected waterside garden; totally overgrown, it held several exciting relics including one I'm still yet to name! Perfoliate Honeysuckle (Lonicera capreolata) was covering a roadside hedge, whilst Red False-buck's-beard (Astilbe x arendsii) & Stransvaesia (Photinia davidiana) were also visible from the road - plus a lilac I've so far been unable to ID.

(Perfoliate Honeysuckle, Lonicera capreolata)

(Red False-buck's-beard, Astilbe x arendsii)

(Stransvaesia, Photinia davidiana)

I had to hop over the fence and push my way down to the river to find Fatsia (Fatsia japonica), Common Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla, not in flower) and Confused Bridewort (Spiraea x pseudosalicifolia, also non-flowering); there were a couple of bushes of Darwin's Barberry (Berberis darwinii), too, plus a Chinese Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) and a few plants of Garden Solomon's-seal (Polygonatum x hybridum) in a patch of grass.

(Fatsia, Fatsia japonica)

(Confused Bridewort, Spiraea x pseudosalicifolia)

A delightful feature of this area is the abundance of Pyrenean Valerian (Valeriana pyrenaica), a very attractive escape that's naturalised itself in vast patches all along the main B3223 road above Dulverton.

(Pyrenean Valerian, Valeriana pyrenaica)

We also chanced upon a couple of bushes of Yellow Azalea (Rhododendron luteum) by the side of the road whilst driving across Exmoor, whilst having stopped for a cup of tea in the village of Horner, a glance down at my shoes resulted in American Speedwell (Veronica peregrina) - a tiny plant if ever there was one, definitely a lucky find

(Yellow Azalea, Rhododendron luteum)

(American Speedwell, Veronica peregrina)

And finally, driving through Dunster village having failed to find Meadow Saxifrage at nearby Withycombe church, we came across this daisy in a pavement crack; thanks to aeshna's help on the forum, I've since been able to identify it as Treasureflower (Gazania rigens)

[davidbr]

The final day of our five-day trip turned out to be one of the most interesting, as our journey homeward to Bristol produced a range of good finds. Starting, as so often, with a failure; I couldn't find any Green Hellebores at Aisholt, near Bridgwater, but the lane-sides near the village church were covered by a fine spread of Bulbous Comfrey (Symphytum bulbosum)

(Bulbous Comfrey, Symphytum bulbosum)

Nearby, we chanced upon a couple more excellent finds; a fine expanse of Przewalski's Leopard-plant (Ligularia przewalksii), as beautiful as it is difficult to spell (), a hosta I've since ID'd as Plantain-lily, Hosta sieboldiana and a very attractive cranesbill. A very unusual one, too (assuming my ID's correct...) Geranium asphodeloides, no common name I could find, a South European plant with (according to the BSBI maps) only two UK records, both prior to 1999

(Przewalski's Leopard-plant, Ligularia przewalskii)

(Plantain-lily, Hosta sieboldiana)

(Geranium asphodeloides)

Driving through the nearby village of Nether Stowey, I was lucky enough to spot several clumps of Pink-headed Knotweed (Persicaria capitata), whilst at our next stop I successfully located Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata) in the churchyard at Spaxton - of the double-flowered flore pleno variety, these plants were unfortunately well past their best

(Pink-headed Knotweed, Persicaria capitata)

(Meadow Saxifrage, Saxifraga granulata)

At Enmore, a few miles further on, the Chimney Bellflower meant to grow on the churchyard walls had presumably died out; Least Yellow-sorrel (Oxalis exilis) was almost a ground-cover in the churchyard, and I also found a funny woody plant seeded onto one of the walls that aeshna later ID'd on here as Californian Tree Poppy (Romneya coulteri); not only had I never seen it, I'd never even heard of it before Oh - and there was also a Pittosporum bush I'm yet to name - any and all ideas welcome, please...

(Least Yellow-sorrel, Oxalis exilis)

(Californian Tree Poppy, Romneya coulteri)

(Pittosporum sp; help needed, please...)

And lastly, at Westhay on the Somerset Levels, alongside dozens of Round-leaved Sundews (Drosera rotundifolia), were at least four Sarracenia flava - an American pitcher-plant, with the common name of Trumpets according to the BSBI database. Where on earth did that come from?

(Round-leaved Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia)

(Trumpets, Sarracenia flava)

[KeenTeen17]

great finds there David. I went out yesterday looking for the Persicaria capitata but failed to find it. I only found it last October so its one for later on anyway. Great job on the Sarracenia. You've caught the colours well.

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

great finds there David. I went out yesterday looking for the Persicaria capitata but failed to find it. I only found it last October so its one for later on anyway. Great job on the Sarracenia. You've caught the colours well.

It was just a pure chance find - we were driving through the village and I happened to spot it through the car window. It's not listed in the Flora of Somerset book I was using, so I had no idea it was there

A lot of these little country villages tend to be like that, though - more often than not, I'd find something unusual growing in the pavement cracks or on the old walls of them.

[davidbr]

Just the one addition from yesterday, on my way back from the hospital appointment that scuppered my plans to spend this week on the Scillies (that'll have to wait until the end of the month instead...)

Calling into Abbey Wood Station, one of my favourite alien plant haunts, a bright blue flower of Canterbury-bells (Campanula medium) had sprung into life on the railway bank

(Canterbury-bells, Campanula medium)

It's a plant I've been long-expecting, since it's meant to be a frequent escape, and another find for this excellent site; Hairy Canary-clover (Doryncium hirsutum) is in flower there now, as is Sulphur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) and, in a lane nearby, Cut-leaved Blackberry (Rubus laciniata)

(Cut-leaved Blackberry, Rubus laciniata)

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...

[davidbr]

10th June 2009

Today, I was off in search of one of the country's rarest plants; the North Somerset coast (specifically Purn Hill, in the village of Bleadon, about 3 miles from Weston-super-Mare) is one of only two UK sites for White Rock-rose (Helianthemum apenninum) and they ought to be in full bloom by now.

Thankfully, once I found the site, I found the plants easily; the one I'd really wanted to see, though, was the hybrid between White & Common Rock-roses, Helianthemum x sulphureum, which is even rarer than the parent; here, all three grew alongside one another for easy comparison

(White Rock-rose, Helianthemum apenninum)

(Hybrid Rock-rose, Helianthemum x sulphureum)

In addition to the Hybrid Rock-rose, I also added seven other plants to my list during a very successful day. Firstly, growing out of cracks in some paving, was the lovely Yellow-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium californicum)

(Yellow-eyed-grass, Sisyrinchium californicum)

Next, nearby at the Uphill nature reserve, Sea Clover (Trifolium squamosum) grew, just as the books had said, on the sea wall (I failed to find Slender Hare's-ear or Parsley Water-dropwort here, though )

(Sea Clover, Trifolium squamosum)

Then, whilst I was walking through Bleadon village trying to find the track to Purn Hill, I chanced upon a clump of Turkish Irises (Iris orientalis). They're supposedly naturalised in several places along this coast - I noticed it grown in several village gardens, though, so I'm guessing the ones I found resulted from dumped rubbish

(Turkish Iris, Iris orientalis)

[davidbr]

Nearby, a drainage dyke had been colonised by Floating Pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)



Up on Purn Hill, near the rock-roses, I found quite a few Long-stalked Cranesbills (Geranium columbinum)...

(Long-stalked Cranesbill, Geranium columbinum)

...but the real excitement came as I headed back down the hill; where soil had been dumped on a field, lots of Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) & Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena) had sprung up. In amongst them, and the grass, were two startlingly-coloured Crimson Flax (Linum grandiflorum) plants...

(Crimson Flax, Linum grandiflorum)

...and just the one, lonely, Corncockle (Agrostemma githago)

(Corncockle, Agrostemma githago)

[davidbr]

I'm also having a bit of a brain-freeze over this crucifer - can anyone help me out with an ID? I know I've seen it many times before...



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



This last one, I tried for a while to kid myself that it was Slender Hare's-ear; presumably it's some kind of rush, just for curiosity, does anyone know what?



Thanks

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by davidbr

I'm also having a bit of a brain-freeze over this crucifer - can anyone help me out with an ID? I know I've seen it many times before...



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



This last one, I tried for a while to kid myself that it was Slender Hare's-ear; presumably it's some kind of rush, just for curiosity, does anyone know what?



Thanks

1) Rape
2) Henbane
3) no idea and Wow

your earlier crucifer was Black Mustard

great finds recently. Like the Crimson Flax the best and great photos of the White Rock Rose

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

1) Rape
2) Henbane
3) no idea and Wow

your earlier crucifer was Black Mustard

great finds recently. Like the Crimson Flax the best and great photos of the White Rock Rose

Thanks, KT

The Crimson Flax was certainly a stunning plant - I've seen it before grown in gardens, but never thought I'd ever find one in the wild. Same with Corncockle; I'm planning to go to Ranscombe Farm, in Kent, where they supposedly grow in their thousands, but I didn't ever expect to find my own

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by davidbr

Thanks, KT

The Crimson Flax was certainly a stunning plant - I've seen it before grown in gardens, but never thought I'd ever find one in the wild. Same with Corncockle; I'm planning to go to Ranscombe Farm, in Kent, where they supposedly grow in their thousands, but I didn't ever expect to find my own

I'm now fairly confident the leaves you posted were indeed Henbane after seeing the photos on the Tesco Henbane thread

[davidbr]

12th June (Friday)

In rather iffy-looking weather, I decided a tour of Bristol city centre & the Avon Gorge was in order before I head off to Norfolk for a couple of weeks in the morning; mainly, to get some better photos of a few plants that weren't really showing when I last saw them.

Starting off at Bathurst Parade, in the waterfront area, I was pleased to find that despite a lack of sunshine, the Veined Yellow-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium laxum) colony had opened their flowers. Here, too, were several clumps of Garden Thyme that I could now photograph in bloom.

(Veined Yellow-eyed-grass, Sisyrinchium laxum)

(Garden Thyme, Thymus vulgaris)

Ivy Broomrape (Orobanche hederae) is a real feature of this area and was very numerous indeed today, especially along the River Avon towpath running below Leigh Woods, in the Gorge. The many bushes of Late Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus) naturalised on riverside waste ground here were getting ready to flower, too.

(Ivy Broomrape, Orobanche hederae)

(Late Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster lacteus)

Around Leigh Woods car park, at the top of the Gorge, the Narrow-leaved Bittercress (Cardamine impatiens) was almost over, but I did manage to get a few reasonable photos of what remained of the flowers.

(Narrow-leaved Bittercress, Cardamine impatiens)

The small roads in Leigh Woods village are an excellent site for escapes & aliens; today, although I didn't find anything new for me, Knotted Cranesbill (Geranium nodosum), Fairy Foxglove (Erinus alpinus) & Honey Garlic (Nectaroscordum siculum) were new for the site - although the latter is naturalised on the other side of the Gorge, on rocks above the Suspension Bridge. There, it's now in seed; this one, though, in a shaded location, was still at its very best

(Knotted Cranesbill, Geranium nodosum)

(Honey Garlic, Nectaroscordum siculum

And finally, on the Suspension Bridge side of the Gorge, the single bush of Himalayan Tree Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster frigidus) is now flowering on the cliff-top

(Himalayan Tree Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster frigidus)

[davidbr]

I'm a bit behind on here because I've just returned from a couple of weeks in Norfolk & Suffolk - and a very successful trip it was, too, with 108 species added to my photo list including many of the region's specialities.

Here are some of the highlights;

Breckland: June 13th - 15th

Travelling up from Bristol via Cambridgeshire, a stop at Grafham Water produced this beautiful bright blue plant in rough grass by the car park. It looks to be Purple Gromwell (Lithospermum purpureocaeruleum), except that's meant to flower in spring...?

(Purple Gromwell, Lithospermum purpureocaeruleum)

White Melilot (Melilotus albus) was quickly added in Brandon and turned out to be a frequent wayside weed; likewise the Flixweed (Descurainia sophia) that I found at Weeting Heath proved fairly common in the sandy fields.

(Flixweed, Descurainia sophia)

A real bonus as we headed to our base near Lakenheath was a striking clump of Giant Scabious (Cephalaria gigantea) at the side of the road



Field Mouse-ear (Cerastium arvense), a plant I've long wanted to see, was easy to find in Lakenheath Cemetery



At Maids Cross Hill, an area of almost untouched breckland just outside Lakenheath, Tall Rocket (Sisymbrium altissimum), Dark Mullein (Verbascum nigrum) & Early Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) were all added, although the latter wasn't in flower...

(Dark Mullein, Verbascum nigrum)

A patch of Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) were presumably garden escapes or from wild flower seed; nevertheless, it was a tantalising glimpse of what the fields must have looked like in times gone by...

(Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus)

The reserve at Ramparts Field was one of the most productive areas, with, amongst others, Bird's-foot (Ornithopus perpusillus), Breckland Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) (which wasn't in flower), the introduced Russian Cinquefoil (Potentilla intermedia) and, the undoubted highlight, quite a few Maiden Pinks (Dianthus armeria)

(Maiden Pink, Dianthus armeria)

[davidbr]

On the verge of the A11 near Mildenhall, I managed to track down the single plant of Giant Fennel (Ferula communis) that's been known here for quite a few years and I'd made a target for this trip. Unfortunately, it'd now finished flowering.

(Giant Fennel, Ferula communis)

Indehiscent Amaranth (Amaranthus bouchonii) is apparently well-established in the Brecks; it's a bit early to see amaranths at their best, but this one was just about coming into flower

(Indehiscent Amaranth, Amaranthus bouchonii)

[davidbr]

The Broads: June 15th - 19th

This promised to be an exciting period, with many special plants up for grabs, and we quickly got started with Water-violet (Hottonia palustris), Fine-leaved Water-dropwort (Oenanthe aquatica) & Great Yellow-cress (Rorippa amphibia) at the mid-Norfolk reserve of Thompson Common

(Water-violet, Hottonia palustris)

The following morning at Upton Fen produced an excellent range of quality finds; Brazilian Giant-rhubarb (Gunnera manicata), an enormous & striking garden escape, Marsh Valerian (Valeriana dioica) (which was past its best) and quite a few flowers of Round-leaved Wintergreen (Pyrola rotundifolia)

(Brazilian Giant-rhubarb, Gunnera manicata)

(Round-leaved Wintergreen, Pyrola rotundifolia)

Whilst photographing the wintergreens, I was lucky enough to find three spikes of Fen Orchid (Liparis loeselii), by pure chance

(Fen Orchid, Liparis loeselii)

[davidbr]

The reserve at Wheatfen, owned by the Ted Ellis Trust, was a treasure-trove of aliens & escapes; many, apparently, introduced by Ted Ellis himself as food for butterflies many years ago. Broad-leaved Ragwort (Senecio fluviatilis) & Yellow Ox-eye (Telekia speciosa) unfortunately weren't yet in flower, whilst two naturalised Alliums - Sand Leek (Allium scorodoprasum) & Garden Onion (Allium cepa) were just coming into bloom - the onions, especially, must be quite a spectacle when at their best in a couple of weeks time

(Garden Onion, Allium cepa)

(Yellow Ox-eye, Telekia speciosa)

Marsh Pea (Lathyrus palustris) was almost common in places and, alongside a drain, was a patch of Green Figwort (Scrophularia umbrosa) - apparently one of the specialities of the reserve

(Marsh Pea, Lathyrus palustris)

(Green Figwort, Scrophularia umbrosa)

Continuing the escapes theme, a Dragon Arum (Dracunculus vulgaris) in flower was a dramatic sight, and both Russell Lupin (Lupinus x regalis) & Lesser Knotweed (Persicaria campanulata) were established around the reserve. Not a bad selection for a fairly small site

(Dragon Arum, Dracunculus vulgaris)

[davidbr]

At How Hill, the local speciality Red-berried Elder (Sambucus racemosa) proved easy to find, and a healthy-looking bush of Asian Firethorn (Pyracantha rogersiana) was a nice surprise in reed/bramble scrub near the reserve entrance. Plus, of course, at least three Swallowtail butterflies!

(Red-berried Elder, Sambucus racemosa)

(Asian Firethorn, Pyracantha rogersiana)

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Hickling Broad site added plentiful Climbing Corydalis (Ceratocapnos claviculata), plus the unusual alien Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia), a South African plant

(Climbing Corydalis, Ceratocapnos claviculata)

(Buttonweed, Cotula coronopifolia)

Probably also introduced, but a fine sight nonetheless, was a couple of patches of Floating Water-plantain (Loronium natans)

(Floating Water-plantain, Loronium natans)

Ranworth Broad, the Broads Information Centre, came up trumps for Milk-parsley (Peucedanum palustre), Orange Balsam (Impatiens capensis) (though not in flower) and the stunning naturalised Candelabra Primrose (Primula pulverulenta) - several dozen plants in marshy ground by the boardwalk, they were probably a week or so past their peak show

(Candelabra Primrose, Primula pulverulenta)