I.D. For Wildflower

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by Jackaroo

Thanks, nothing personal Hedera, or you, Audrey: But I think I'll just label it as Fumitory, period. These bloody things are as bad as Diptera. Somebody's bound to come up with another species every other minute.

I don't think anyone has described a new species of fumitory in Britain since the days of Pugsley around a century ago . . . . nowhere near as bad as Diptera - and you try the fungi!

for what it's worth I think one can just about see enough of the (diagnostic) sepals to suggest that there is a strong possibility that this is Fumaria muralis var. boreaui

Chris

[Dorts]

Jack.
As I'm sure you are aware, ID'ing anything is not always easy however 'expert' or not you may be. When all that is available is a single photo, it is not at all easy.

I've experienced the frustration and joy of getting it wrong and then right for over 55 years.

With around 7000 species of Diptera having been recorded in Britain and well over twice that for plants. Both Groups can, at times, be extremely difficult and very frustrating. But as I, and I'm sure Chris has found, it's generally a case of, 'the more you learn the easier it gets'.

You asked for an ID but then said you didn't want to know it's 'Sunday name'. So surely Fumitory will suffice.

There is no problem for me nowadays, to leave a plant that I can't key-out, It will still be there for another time. But I admit I used to get very frustrated, wanting to put a name to everything in an instant.

Both Audrey and Hedera have come to the conclusion, correctly, that it is a Fumaria, pointing out how difficult it is to go any further with an ID.

Chris has been very brave and has come up with a 'possible' name for this plant.

We either just admire the beauty of plants, or take it further and add the frustration and pleasure of trying to find out what they are. I go for the latter.
All the best.
Dorts.