4 Misc Wildflower\Plants

[jdoherty]

I'd appreciate some help with IDs for the following plants. The first and second pics were taken in Newtoiwnabbey, N.Ireland in April 2007. The third pic was also taken in Newtownabbey but in September 2008. The last pic was taken in July 2008 at Whisby Nature Reserve.

Now to demonstrate my lack of knowledge. The first pic I think is some kind of Periwinkle. I've no idea about the second. The third I think are Spanish Bluebells and I think the last pic is some type of vetch.

John

[Tiggrx]

1. Greater Periwinkle (Vinca major)
2. Iceplant (Sedum spectabile) - a common garden plant - occasionally dumped in wild places.
3. Most likely a hybrid between Spanish Bluebell and the native sort.
4. Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca)

[jdoherty]

Many thanks Tiggrx for the IDs.

John

[leifus]

Originally Posted by jdoherty

Many thanks Tiggrx for the IDs.

John

im just seconding tiggrx's id's

[KeenTeen17]

agreed to all Ids apart from the Bluebell. This looks like the simple Spanish bluebell to me. The stouter wider flowers resemble it to me.

[leifus]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

agreed to all Ids apart from the Bluebell. This looks like the simple Spanish bluebell to me. The stouter wider flowers resemble it to me.

im thinking hybrid simply because the flowers are pointing down like in the british bluebell whereas on the spanish one they point outwards...

[Tiggrx]

It is probably going to be impossible to be sure about the Bluebell - the hybrid is very variable and can be very difficult to distinguish from pure Spanish Bluebell. The main reason I suggested the hybrid is that it is far commoner.

Here is a picture of wild Spanish Bluebell to compare (photographed in Spain!)

[KeenTeen17]

I'll agree you could be right. I think the hybrid is most likely. The flowers of the one in question are more densely clustered like in the true english bluebell. The ones in your photo are more sparse.

[jdoherty]

Thanks everyone for the comments about the bluebells and thanks Tiggrx for the photo. These hybrids make life very confusing when it comes to IDs. They may not be English Bluebells but I still think they look pretty good.

John