WaB's "Plantline"!!

[davidbr]

During my days as a fairly committed twitcher, travelling all over the country for (often brief, and even more often non-existent...) time with all manner of rarities, I used to rely a heck of a lot on information services; Birdguides, Birdline, Rare Bird Alert etc would keep you updated on what was about pretty much as it landed, with regular updates too

So, I was thinking - why don't we start something vaguely similar where plants are concerned? There's enough visitors to this part of the forum and quite a few of us, judging from posts, who are reasonably keen plant-hunters, to make it worth a go? Some of us might be interested enough to travel to see certain species; at the very least, members who live in the area would be able to reap the benefit

I'm not talking necessarily about national rarities - if you're lucky enough to find a Lady's Slipper Orchid on the south coast, say, by all means keep the news to yourself! If it's something like one of the unusual snowdrops, or crocuses, or later in the summer a newly-seeded grass verge that's a good source of casual aliens, that sort of thing, then why not share the news?

Let's see how it goes, anyway?

[davidbr]

I'll add the first post, more as an example of the kind of thing I'm thinking of than anything else...

BRISTOL: Frenchay Hospital nature reserve; Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis, Blue Anemone (Anemone apennina) & Spring & Early Crocus (Crocus vernus & C. tommasianus) near entrance to hospital at Gate C. Latter two species also well-naturalised in nearby Frenchay Churchyard, together with Hybrid Primula (Primula x pruhonicensis) & Head-to-Head Daffodil (Narcissus x cyclazetta)

All currently in flower (or at least, they were when I last visited two days ago); viewing's far better in the sunshine

Green Snowdrop (Galanthus woronowii) & Greater Snowdrop (G. elwesii) are also present here, but flowering's a little past it's best

Oh - I forgot to add; if it's somewhere you don't want to name on the main site, but would be willing to let those interested know about by PM, fine

[Gill Catton]

I think this is a great Idea it may well privide me with the perfect reminder to get out and find some new plants!!

[KeenTeen17]

I'll be out and about on Tuesday for Spurge Laurel and Mezereon so will keep you posted

[Little Firewall]

As a complete novice who didn't even know that there were different types of Snowdrops till I read it on here recently http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...s/rolleyes.gif could I suggest that when you mention a plant if possible put a photo of it up too or even a link to one in the Gallery that way we 'newbies' will know what to look for.

I feel a desire to go looking for plants coming on ..... at least they won't fly away before you get to them!

Thanks for lighting the spark of plant hunting.

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Little Firewall

As a complete novice who didn't even know that there were different types of Snowdrops till I read it on here recently http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...s/rolleyes.gif could I suggest that when you mention a plant if possible put a photo of it up too or even a link to one in the Gallery that way we 'newbies' will know what to look for.

I feel a desire to go looking for plants coming on ..... at least they won't fly away before you get to them!

Thanks for lighting the spark of plant hunting.

Since taking pictures of them is the primary reason for my plant-hunting, I have photos of everything I find (they don't count on the list unless I do...) so I can certainly post them - if I could only figure out the complexities of the WaB image library & Gallery system, that is

The big trouble is that I use a 12 megapixel camera, which makes the image files too large for the site; I will try to reduce them in size and post one if I can, but if not then there'll be a decent picture available on Google Image most of the time (just type in the scientific name). That's where I usually look first when I'm checking identification, anyway

And I'm certainly no expert when it comes to plant ID; at least, though, you usually get plenty of time and the chance to go back for a second look if it's needed

EDIT: Here's a picture of the Winter Aconite, Eranthis hyemalis, from Frenchay Hospital nature reserve; one image I have managed to get onto the site...

[davidbr]

And a few more I've since succeeded with...

Hybrid Primula (Primula x pruhonicensis)



Blue Anemone (Anemone apennina)

[Little Firewall]

Oh Thank You for posting even a few as it makes it more interesting seeing the plants folks are speaking about.
I will use the 'search' facilities and get to the Gallery images.
Again thanks for your help.


You did well working out the complexities of uploading things ... as you see for some reason the 'rolling eyes' gif just didn't work for me!!!!

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

Blue Anemone (Anemone apennina)

Sorry David, this is Anemone blanda. A. apennina flowers slightly later (should come at the same time as the wood anemones) and has up to 15 sepals (yours has 19 I think). Also A. apennina would have the undersides of the sepals hairy (can't see this in your pic).

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Sorry David, this is Anemone blanda. A. apennina flowers slightly later (should come at the same time as the wood anemones) and has up to 15 sepals (yours has 19 I think). Also A. apennina would have the undersides of the sepals hairy (can't see this in your pic).

Thanks, Tiggrx; when I first found the plants I was in two minds between A. apennina & A. blanda, but not having a lot of experience of either I couldn't come up with sufficient reason to go for A. blanda, which apparently is much rarer as a naturalised plant. I guess I just did the same as in my early birding days -if in doubt, choose the commonest option

Thinking about it, I'd seen A. apennina before and that was in early-late April, but it still never registered