2 plants for ID, please

[Jennie]

On Powerstock common yesterday.
Some sort of Heather? Very pretty plant.



Today, on edge of field bordering a wood. About 15" high. The leaves really were this shiney, and quite lax.

[SandyBeds]

I think the first is Calluna vulgaris (Heather).

Still pondering the other.

[aeshna5]

Second has the gizz of a Conyza sp, though I wouldn't describe them having shiny leaves.

[Jennie]

Took more pics today.



Here the hairy stem can be seen.

Agreed the flowers do look like a fleabane.

[davidbr]

It's a Conyza sp. and, judging by the stiffly pubescent stem, I'd say it was Bilbao Fleabane (Conyza bilbaoana)

There are four very similar species; Canadian (C. canadensis), Guernsey (C. sumatrensis), Bilbao and Argentine (C. bonariensis). All are introductions and they're definitely becoming commoner lately.

[Jennie]

Thank you all.

I am familiar with the Canadian Fleabane, as it is all over the industrial estate where I work, but didn't see this one as being from the same family.

Seems to be a much neater plant than the Canadian!

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Jennie

Thank you all.

I am familiar with the Canadian Fleabane, as it is all over the industrial estate where I work, but didn't see this one as being from the same family.

Seems to be a much neater plant than the Canadian!

All the species vary quite a bit in habit, depending on exactly where they're growing, but in my experience Canadian always tends to be the smallest. Some of the plants of Guernsey Fleabane we've got in central Bristol reach five feet

I wouldn't be too quick to assume all your local plants are Canadian, either; it's not necessarily the commonest nowadays. In my Bristol patch Guernsey, C. sumatrensis, is much the most frequent, followed by Argentine (C. bonariensis, then Canadian & Bilbao about equal. They can be very tricky to tell apart - the best bet is to look at the pubescence of the stem.

[Jennie]

Thank you David. You've now got me going round our estate in my lunch-break looking closely at these things..and getting some strange looks into the bargain!

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Jennie

Thank you David. You've now got me going round our estate in my lunch-break looking closely at these things..and getting some strange looks into the bargain!

Wait until you move on to exploring cemeteries and churchyards - then, you'll get some really funny looks

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

Wait until you move on to exploring cemeteries and churchyards - then, you'll get some really funny looks

I often get asked "who are you looking for?" when botanizing in churchyards