What's staining my fingers?

[vole-woman]

Every fine evening I go out looking for water voles. This involves tramping across several overgrown fields and sitting on a camping stool among the long grass. But I've noticed this year that the following morning, my fingers are stained an orangey-brown which won't wash off, though it fades over a couple of days.

I'm assuming I'm brushing up against some plant or other, but what would it be to leave marks like this?

[thunder]

I presume you have ruled out rust from the camping stool? Is the staining on the backs of your fingers? Both hands? Could possibly be pollen of some kind.

henrya

[lol geoff]

Smoking too much?

[feathered-friend]

I am no expert but what about rapeseed pollen, any growing in the fields?

If it is pollen on your fingers, check your clothes too!

[vole-woman]

Never thought about my clothes, but I tend to wear a black leather jacket and dark jeans so I'm not sure it would show.

The staining's on my fingertips, mostly my right hand which implies it's a plant I've moved out ot the way or snapped off to get a better view through my camera. I thought it might be sap of some kind.

[thunder]

Yes, various plant saps will stain. Better take note of which plants you touch. Take a damp cloth to wipe your fingers - it is probably perfectly harmless, but best to be on the safe side.

henrya

[The Woodman]

Do you unconsciously fiddle with seed heads, stems and the like while you're sitting there observing?

I'm always snapping off dead twigs, stripping grass seed heads, folding leaves etc. I don't know what it signifies but I sometimes stain my fingers!

[vole-woman]

No, I tend to sit as still as a heron while I'm filming. But I do snap stalks to get them out of the way. I just wondered what plant it was, as the stain doesn't show up till hours after. I'll take a sterile wipe with me next time, though.

[thunder]

Could be one of the umbellifers - we probably all know what Giant Hogweed sap can do, and those effects take time to appear. It is probable that Common Hogweed could have a much less serious effect (though I don't remember it from the days when I used to pick Hogweed for my rabbits when I was young!).

henrya

[posie]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Do you fiddle while you're sitting there. I'm always snapping , stripping , folding etc. I don't know what it signifies but I sometimes stain my fingers!

Oh Dear Woody.....Oh Dear, Oh Dear, Oh Dear..!........Posie