Three plants from Three Mile Water Park

[jdoherty]

I took these photos yesterday during a walk in Three Mile Water Park, Newtownabbey, N.Ireland. I hope someone can provide IDs.

The first was growing on the riverbank. There were quite a lot of them and they were about 6-8 inches in height.

The second plant was quite small (only about 3 - 4 inches high) and had little purple flowers. It was growing in small clumps close to a path.

The last plant was quite tall in parts (six inches plus in places) and was also growing near to a path.

I have other photos, which I can submit, of the same plants if that would help with ID.

Thanks, John.

[goosey]

Image 2 looks a bit like Ajuga, but there are about 40 species and I wouldn't know which to plump for.

[Gill Catton]

The first is a horsetail, but I really couldn't be sure which, possible field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) certainly Equisetum sp.

the second I think is red dead- nettle (Lamium purpureum) and the third possibly common mouse- ear (Cerastium fontanum)

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by goosey

Image 2 looks a bit like Ajuga, but there are about 40 species and I wouldn't know which to plump for.

I think there's only one common Ajuga in the wild that is frequently stumbled across and that's bugle (Ajuga reptans), this is normally a bit more blue in colour and the flowers have much larger lower petals and the upper one is much reduced and the leaves are more oval shiney and untoothed.


Could be wrong though!!!!

[Tiggrx]

1. Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
2. Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum)
3. Sticky Mouse-ear (Cerastium glomeratum)

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

1. Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
2. Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum)
3. Sticky Mouse-ear (Cerastium glomeratum)

oooh I'm a clear case of close but no cigar.....

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

I think there's only one common Ajuga in the wild that is frequently stumbled across and that's bugle (Ajuga reptans), this is normally a bit more blue in colour and the flowers have much larger lower petals and the upper one is much reduced and the leaves are more oval shiney and untoothed.

I think it's probably a dead nettle but would also consider, at that height Prunella vulgaris, selfheal. Early though?

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I think it's probably a dead nettle but would also consider, at that height Prunella vulgaris, selfheal. Early though?

yes pretty early, June it has for selfheal in my Rose (though its the new one which I understand has some errors). In my own little world, for the low growing blue/purple flowering plants there seem to be three phases: First comes ground ivy, followed by bugle which then gives way to selfheal, obviously there's some overlap but that has initially helped me in coming up with my initial first guess for a flower before I knew much else!

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

yes pretty early, June it has for selfheal in my Rose (though its the new one which I understand has some errors). In my own little world, for the low growing blue/purple flowering plants there seem to be three phases: First comes ground ivy, followed by bugle which then gives way to selfheal, obviously there's some overlap but that has initially helped me in coming up with my initial first guess for a flower before I knew much else!

Quite, I wouldn't expect flowering it in my lawn ( ) until summer and I suppose N. Ireland would be similar.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I think it's probably a dead nettle but would also consider, at that height Prunella vulgaris, selfheal. Early though?

Definitely as Tiggrx says, Red Dead-nettle - a lot of it flowering at the moment + even a couple of white ones too (not White Deadnettle!).