A 2009 plant-hunter's diary

[KeenTeen17]

You've been very busy! . Great job - theres no way you found that Fen Orchid by chance! Its impossible to get nowadays . If you did though well done

Anyway thanks for IDing the Giant Scabious. Found some today next to a road and didn't know which it was.

[davidbr]

Horsey Mere added this Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) bush, on a bank by the car park...

(Deadly Nightshade, Atropa belladonna)

and Cowbane (Cicuta virosa) was in full flower at the RSPB's Strumpshaw Fen reserve

(Cowbane, Cicuta virosa)

A couple of plants of Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), the first I'd ever seen, added a splash of blue to a poppy-filled field at Hickling...

(Phacelia, Phacelia tanacetifolia)

and finally, a couple of roadside finds; a large stretch of Dwarf Elder (Sambucus ebulus), and a couple of enormous plants of Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus)

(Dwarf Elder, Sambucus ebulus)

(Globe Artichoke, Cynara cardunculus)

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

You've been very busy! . Great job - theres no way you found that Fen Orchid by chance! Its impossible to get nowadays . If you did though well done

Anyway thanks for IDing the Giant Scabious. Found some today next to a road and didn't know which it was.

Honestly, I had no idea they were there

There's a kind of marshy clearing in the middle of this reserve, and I'd gone into it to photograph some Round-leaved Wintergreens (of which there were dozens). I was also staring at the ground to try and find a half-decent specimen of Marsh Valerian out of all the ones that'd gone over, and that's when I spotted the three orchid spikes down by my feet My record's not great when it comes to orchids, so no-one was more surprised than me

That Giant Scabious was definitely one of the highlights - it's a really impressive-looking plant

[davidbr]

North-west Norfolk (King's Lynn area): 19th - 23rd June

Leaving the Broads behind, we'd be based in the village/town of Terrington St Clement for the next few days, a few miles west of King's Lynn. The drive across-county added Trailing Snapdragon (Asarina procumbens) & Pale Corydalis (Pseudofumaria alba) at a well-known site in the village of Cawston (it's in the Flora of Norfolk book, anyway... ), and the complete surprise find of a beautiful Martagon Lily (Lilium martagon) by the side of a road

(Trailing Snapdragon, Asarina procumbens)

(Martagon Lily, Lilium martagon)

At first sight the area immediately around Terrington didn't seem promising; the vast, hedgeless, flat fields looked to have less life than the surface of the moon A few good "escapes" did turn up, though; Californian Honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata), Alternate-leaved Butterfly-bush (Buddleja alterniifolia) and (with thanks to aeshna for the ID... ) Chilean Potato-vine (Solanum crispum)

[/quote] (Chilean Potato-vine, Solanum crispum)

(Californian Honeysuckle, Lonicera involucrata)

(Alternate-leaved Butterfly-bush, Buddleja alterniifolia)

[davidbr]

The highlight of this section of the trip was probably the visit to Snettisham, on the Wash coast; better known as a bird reserve, the shingle bank here has an excellent, varied flora. The display of Hoary Mullein (Verbascum pulverulentum), a local rarity, was worth seeing on its own

(Hoary Mullein, Verbascum pulverulentum)

Sea Kale (Crambe maritima), Sea Bindweed (Calystegia soldanella), Sea-holly (Eryngium maritimum) & Shrubby Sea-blite (Suaeda vera), four new native "ticks", were easily found, but the shingle bank also had an excellent range of aliens that'd probably escaped from chalets & caravan parks. Red-hot-poker (Kniphofia uvaria) seemed to be genuinely naturalised, and amongst others I also found Jerusalem-sage (Phlomis fruticosa) & Garden Candytuft (Iberis umbellata)

(Jerusalem-sage, Phlomis fruticosa)

(Garden Candytuft, Iberis umbellata)

Further along the coast at Holme Dunes, we were able to enjoy a fine display of orchids; Common Spotted, Southern Marsh & Bee, but also Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) and what seems to be its' hybrid with Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza x kerneriorum)

(Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata)

(Common Spotted/Early Marsh Orchid hybrid, Dactylorhiza x kerneriorum)

There was also a single plant of Orange Mullein (Verbascum phlomoides) along the approach track to the dunes

(Orange Mullein, Verbascum phlomoides)

[davidbr]

I couldn't find any Marsh Helleborines (Epipactis palustris) at Holme, but that didn't matter because inland at the NWT's Narborough Railway Line reserve, half a dozen plants were growing in what looked to be bone-dry conditions It's obviously a known site, though, because there's a photo of them in my Flora of Norfolk book

(Marsh Helleborine, Epipactis palustris)

The boggy reserves in the area weren't as productive as I'd hoped, but I did manage to find Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) at Dersingham & Lesser Marshwort (Apium inundatum) at Roydon Common. Sorry, the latter isn't a great photo; it's a very low-growing plant and at the time, my back was playing up a bit

(Cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccos)

(Lesser Marshwort, Apium inundatum)

Oh - and a plant of Memorial Rose (Rosa luciae) that had scrambled a good forty feet up a tree on the common

(Memorial Rose, Rosa luciae)

And then, a moment that proves you really can find good plants anywhere. By the side of the A149 main coast road, topsoil had clearly been used to resurface a verge and, as a result, an extraordinary range of "casuals" had sprung up! Larkspur (Consolida ajacis), Garden Orache (Atriplex hortensis), Small Balsam (Impatiens parviflora) & Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum) were all new, whilst other goodies here included Annual Toadflax (Linaria maroccana) & Small Toadflax (Chaenorrhinum minus)

(Larkspur, Consolida ajacis)

(Garden Orache, Atriplex hortensis)

(Corn Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum)

[davidbr]

North Norfolk coast: 23rd - 27th June

By now I was well on track to meet my target of 100 additions, so when we moved on to Salthouse things slowed down a bit. Greater Sea-kale (Crambe cordifolia) was an excellent find in the Cley NWT reserve car park; even though hundreds of people must have walked past it every day, the reserve staff had no idea this potential county first grew on their doorstep

(Greater Sea-kale, Crambe cordifolia)

Nearby, in a brackish saline pool by the Cley beach car park, was (assuming I've ID'd it correctly...) perhaps one of the most boring plants in the world. Beaked Tasselweed (Ruppia maritima), against my shoe because that was the only way I could get a decent photo

(Beaked Tasselweed, Ruppia maritima)

Frosted Orache (Atriplex laciniata) was a pleasant surprise on the sandy beach at Titchwell, I also spotted a couple of traditional blue Larkspur (Consolida ajacis) plants by the A149 at Burnham Norton and, at the Holt Lowes SSSI, a single Great Sundew (Drosera anglica) amongst dozens of the common D. rotundifolia)

(Frosted Orache, Atriplex laciniata)

(Larkspur, Consolida ajacis)

(Great Sundew, Drosera anglica)

[davidbr]

Thanks to a bit of local help from a photographer I bumped into, I was able to track down Yarrow Broomrape (Orobanche purpurea) on the cliffs at Sheringham.

(Yarrow Broomrape, Orobanche purpurea)

Sand Catchfly (Silene conica) was a very welcome find here, too, since I'd missed this supposedly frequent plant of Breckland a week or so earlier

(Sand Catchfly, Silene conica)

There were also a few good escapes here; Garden Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia), seemingly well-established (it's listed on an information board, at least... ) and Maltese-cross (Lychnis chalcedonica), competing with the long grass.

(Garden Lavender, Lavandula x intermedia)

(Maltese-cross, Lychnis chalcedonica)

[davidbr]

Nearby, at Beeston Common, was a fantastic display of orchids; dozens of Marsh Helleborines (Epipactis palustris) in full bloom, and three Lesser Butterfly Orchids (Platanthera bifolia). All three sundews were also easy to find here.

(Marsh Helleborine, Epipactis palustris)

(Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Platanthera bifolia)

(Fragrant Orchid, Gymnadenia conopsea)

And lastly, on the journey back to Bristol, two final additions; Gallant-soldier (Galinsoga parviflora[/i]) and, a real surprise back at Grafham Water, Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria) at the edge of the car park

(Gallant-soldier, Galinsoga parviflora)

(Deptford Pink, Dianthus armeria)

[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.

[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.

[davidbr]

A few finds from the end of August:

At Brean Down, Somerset, the large population of Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella) were in flower, although not fully open in the wet weather. Nearby in Brean village I also found Thorn-apple (Datura stramonium), lots of Fragrant Evening-primrose (Oenothera stricta) and one Large-flowered Gladiolus (Gladiolus x hortulanus), presumably a relic of an old garden.


Autumn Gentian, Gentianella amarella


Large-flowered Gladiolus, Gladiolus x hortulanus

A few miles along the coast at Uphill, quite a few Autumn Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) were blooming on the grassy slopes, with casuals in the village streets including one I've been after for some time - Petunia (Petunia x hybrida), a pavement-crack weed in pink & purple!


Autumn Lady's-tresses, Spiranthes spiralis

Near Compton Dando, just north of Bristol, a friend had told me about a "pretty blue flower" in a field of "weeds" - her description intrigued me, so I decided to check it out. The blue flower proved to be Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), but there were several other interesting casuals growing nearby. Lots of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), some White Melilot (Melilotus albus) (rare in this region) and both new for me, Garden Radish (Raphanus sativus) & Gold-of-pleasure (Camelina sativa). The last two were only in fruit at this time of year, unfortunately; I'll have to go back next summer and see if they persist.


Gold-of-pleasure, Camelina sativa


Garden Radish, Raphanus sativus

Nearby, weeds I'd initially dismissed as fat hen turned out to be Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), another new species, and yet another addition was a couple of blooms of Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale) on a roadside bank.


Quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa


Meadow Saffron, Colchicum autumnale

Then there's this. When I first found it last season it'd finished flowering and I'd identified it as Elecampane (Inula helenium), but now I'm wondering if it could be Yellow Ox-eye (Telekia speciosa) and the differences between them seem rather confusing. Any opinions?

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

Then there's this. When I first found it last season it'd finished flowering and I'd identified it as Elecampane (Inula helenium), but now I'm wondering if it could be Yellow Ox-eye (Telekia speciosa) and the differences between them seem rather confusing. Any opinions?

It is easiest to look at the bases of the basal leaves - in Telekia they are heart-shaped and in Inula the leaves gradually narrows into the stem. Not so easy from your picture but I think it is Inula helenium as the leaves look too thick and felted for Telekia

Here is a picture of Telekia speciosa to compare

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

Near Compton Dando, just north of Bristol, a friend had told me about a "pretty blue flower" in a field of "weeds" - her description intrigued me, so I decided to check it out. The blue flower proved to be Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), but there were several other interesting casuals growing nearby. Lots of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), some White Melilot (Melilotus albus) (rare in this region) and both new for me, Garden Radish (Raphanus sativus) & Gold-of-pleasure (Camelina sativa). The last two were only in fruit at this time of year, unfortunately; I'll have to go back next summer and see if they persist.


Gold-of-pleasure, Camelina sativa


Garden Radish, Raphanus sativus

Nearby, weeds I'd initially dismissed as fat hen turned out to be Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), another new species, and yet another addition was a couple of blooms of Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale) on a roadside bank.


Quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa

These species are all sown for game cover and it can be very interesting looking through fields like this. I have never managed to find the Gold-of-pleasure though.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

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

NO its not Henbane

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

It is easiest to look at the bases of the basal leaves - in Telekia they are heart-shaped and in Inula the leaves gradually narrows into the stem. Not so easy from your picture but I think it is Inula helenium as the leaves look too thick and felted for Telekia

Here is a picture of Telekia speciosa to compare

Thanks, Tiggrx. I've seen Telekia speciosa before in Norfolk earlier this summer, but only in leaf as a young plant which wasn't much help here