Three Purple Wildflowers for ID

[jdoherty]

These three pics were taken in Northern Ireland. The first was taken in September 2008 and the 2nd and 3rd were taken in June 2008. IDs anyone?

Thanks, John.

[Hedge Witch]

I think number 2 is Corncockle (Centaurea cyanus).

[Tiggrx]

1. Geranium psilostemon
2. Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) - [Centaurea cyanus is cornflower]
3. Druce's Crane's-bill (Geranium x oxonianum)

[Hedge Witch]

Opps, yes, thanks Tiggrx I should have known that.

[Meta menardi]

My thought for 2 was Corncockle, is it more frequent in N. Ireland than it is here?

[jdoherty]

Thanks everyone for helping with the IDs. I'm not sure if Corncockle is more common in N.Ireland than England. I haven't seen it in the wild too often but maybe I'm not looking in the right places.

Just a few queries. Is Geranium psilosetum a native wildflower or garden escapee? it's common name of Armenian Cranesbill might suggest that it isn't from Britain?

John

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by jdoherty

Thanks everyone for helping with the IDs. I'm not sure if Corncockle is more common in N.Ireland than England. I haven't seen it in the wild too often but maybe I'm not looking in the right places.

Just a few queries. Is Geranium psilosetum a native wildflower or garden escapee? it's common name of Armenian Cranesbill might suggest that it isn't from Britain?

John

You're right in assuming it's not native. A common + spectacular garden flower; I've never seen it naturalise. I've grown it several times (+still have it) but have never found seedlings- perhaps a sterile cultivar, as most Geraniums are efficient at seeding around.

[jdoherty]

Thanks for this information Aeshna.

John

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by jdoherty

Thanks everyone for helping with the IDs. I'm not sure if Corncockle is more common in N.Ireland than England. I haven't seen it in the wild too often but maybe I'm not looking in the right places.

Can't comment on N Ireland, but I see it seldom in England, but as
a child it was common - so too corn marigold and cornflower.
Herbicides right up to the edge of fields are the culprit I believe.

Perhaps with the edges no longer being sprayed it will come back.
Certainly corn marigold (locvally aka "Dunwich buddle") has become
commoner in the last few years.

[jdoherty]

Thanks for your comment about the corn marigold. I had never heard of it being referred to by the local name "Dunwich buddle".

John