Unknown flower

[andyj301]

I found this at the edge of nearby pasture. The flowers look a little like an orchid to me but the foliage is very similar to chamomile, there were several seed pods developing. Please could someone help with ID?

[Dorts]

Looks like Iris sibirica 'Alba'. Can't think of anything else that fits.
Dorts.

[andyj301]

Thanks Dorts. I'm quite new to this and rapidly realising the amount of variation, got some more photos of the rest of the plant this morning.



I tried to take a picture of the whole plant, then the foliage, seed pods and buds. Any help greatly appreciated, meanwhile I'll attempt to find something with Google.

[aeshna5]

Your original photo had me perplexed + after Dorts suggested the Iris, I could see where he was coming from, but now we have much better shots showing the plant it's clearly a Larkspur, Consolida sp; probably C. ajacis, which also comes in more commonly blue + even pink forms.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Your original photo had me perplexed + after Dorts suggested the Iris, I could see where he was coming from, but now we have much better shots showing the plant it's clearly a Larkspur, Consolida sp; probably C. ajacis, which also comes in more commonly blue + even pink forms.

I have to agree; now a spur is visible and we have an idea of the flowers size, it changes the view entirely. This illustrates very well the problems with identifying plants from a 'limited view' photo.

I'm now happy to agree with aeshna5 that it's a Larkspur, (now we can see the 'larks-spur'!).
Dorts.

[andyj301]

Many thanks to both of you and I will photograph the whole plant in future. Apparently quite popular in gardens (I have only ever grown fruit/veg) and the pasture is adjacent to the local village, so guessing an escapee as it appears to be the only one in a six acre field.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by andyj301

Many thanks to both of you and I will photograph the whole plant in future. Apparently quite popular in gardens (I have only ever grown fruit/veg) and the pasture is adjacent to the local village, so guessing an escapee as it appears to be the only one in a six acre field.

It's seeds (Consolida) can remain dormant for many years, ready to pop-up when the time is right. Though of course, the flowers are usually blue.
Dorts.

[andyj301]

I have just read on the PFAF database entry for Consolida Ambigua that while this plant has some medicinal uses it is very poisonous, needing to be processed by an expert.