Snake's Head Fritillary

[Vipera]

Originally Posted by IanS

Just thought I would post that the Snake's Head Fritillary's are just coming out in Oxfordshire. I have been taking photos of them today. Yes I know you can buy them for your garden but to see a wild plant is far better! They are one of the UK's rarer plants and worth the effort of finding them in damp meadows along the Thames and associated streams and rivers.

Regards
Ian

Ian, is that a green winged orchid in your photo?
I have wanted to see a Skanes head fritillary for soem time now and today my freind called me to say he found some in the local park/recreation ground, so i went and got some photos! I guess these have been introduced, it would be nicer to see them in the wild, would they grow indoors, i noticed you can buy them but i dont have a garden

[davidbr]

There were only a couple of flowers in bud at Cricklade on April 2nd, but the naturalised population at Frenchay, Bristol have been out for over a fortnight now and, taking another look yesterday, I'd have said they were just about at their best (I posted a picture of a white-form one in my diary thread a few lines down )

I doubt they'd grow indoors, but if you don't have much of a garden then a tub or window-box would probably be sufficient.

[IanS]

hi Vipera
Yes its a green winged orchid....they will be out in a months time or so.
As for the Frits, I guess you could grow them indoors at least for the first year. they would be better outside though....

[KeenTeen17]

You would probably be able to find SHFs in local parks or wildlife education centres wildflower gardens - they are quite common in seed mixes. They are just the same as the rare native one down south, but its a bit pointless driving 200 odd miles when its a bike ride up the road.

[IanS]

I'd rather see it in the wild