Ragwort and Bindweed leaves

[htcdude]

I've had a scout around but not much luck, I'm looking for a chart, preferrably all on one page or a fold out (or a good book) which shows the differences in leaf on the various UK Ragworts, and one for the differences of Bindweeds.

Will be handy to have something to carry in the field as I regularly come across these whilst I'm out and as I'm new to wildflowering, don't really have much of a clue

Thanks,

Nige

[Johnny81]

Try one of the FSC charts, if not it's a good old book Again look at the calyx on those bindweeds to distinguish the two white ones and on ragworts check if there are black tips or not just under the flower heads and habitat can be a clue. If you know what family is what on your plants I'd suggest buying Francis Rose, In my opinion charts only scratch the surface and a good book is needed!

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Johnny81

Try one of the FSC charts, if not it's a good old book Again look at the calyx on those bindweeds to distinguish the two white ones and on ragworts check if there are black tips or not just under the flower heads and habitat can be a clue. If you know what family is what on your plants I'd suggest buying Francis Rose, In my opinion charts only scratch the surface and a good book is needed!

I know as I'm just getting started a chart would be handy for the common ones I see. I have the Collins Guide which is a start.

Thing is when I was out the other day I took photos of various ragwort in similar habitat and got 3 different species out of it, they all looked the same to me!

Nige

[Mele]

Agree about Francis Rose :-) but I also carry Blamey, Fitter and Fitter (now out of print and ferociously expensive 2nd hand) as they have very useful distribution maps (and a section on grasses, rushes, etc).
Yikes about starting wildflowering with ragworts. But digital photos really help one focus. Although, I often find when I get home to find I've taken a photo of the wrong bit of the plant for id. Meh.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Mele

Agree about Francis Rose :-) but I also carry Blamey, Fitter and Fitter (now out of print and ferociously expensive 2nd hand) as they have very useful distribution maps (and a section on grasses, rushes, etc).
Yikes about starting wildflowering with ragworts. But digital photos really help one focus. Although, I often find when I get home to find I've taken a photo of the wrong bit of the plant for id. Meh.

I have to agree with you there Mel, Wild Flowers of Britain And Ireland by Blamey, Fitter and Fitter. Published by A&C Black. 2003, is a superb guide. I use this book more than any other, and in conjuction with Garrard and Streeter's 'The Wild Flowers of the British Isles' Midsummer Books, 1983 they serve 95% of my wildflower needs.
The first is very informative, the second, being of the larger format, has excelent illustrations.
Try and seek them out at (almost) any price.
Dorts.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Dorts

I have to agree with you there Mel, Wild Flowers of Britain And Ireland by Blamey, Fitter and Fitter. Published by A&C Black. 2003, is a superb guide. I use this book more than any other, and in conjuction with Garrard and Streeter's 'The Wild Flowers of the British Isles' Midsummer Books, 1983 they serve 95% of my wildflower needs.
The first is very informative, the second, being of the larger format, has excelent illustrations.
Try and seek them out at (almost) any price.
Dorts.

Yes I use these two along with Stace for most of my botanising. Don't tend to use Rose so much now, though is an excellent book.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Yes I use these two along with Stace for most of my botanising. Don't tend to use Rose so much now, though is an excellent book.

Well, aeshna5, I could have written exactly the same.
Stace is always within arms reach, and as much as I loved my dear old friend, I don't use Frances's books much nowadays except his 'Grasses, Sedges, Rushes and Ferns' which is a 'must have' for those groups of plants.

I keep thinking there is room for a new 'Beginners Guide to Wild Flowers'. Many years ago, Richard Fitter wrote a book called 'Finding Wild Flowers'. It had excelent easy keys to the difficult (for beginners) groups. A County by County guide of 'what to find and where', along with many other innovative ideas. Unfortunately it wasn't illustrated, even wth line drawings. Such a book, edited with illustrations added would be ideal for such a gap in the market.
Dorts

[stevecurtis]

In all your opinions how does the keeble martin rate.
All the best Steve

[Mele]

I just can't let go of my Rose. It is a habit to carry it. I also carry BFF (Blamey, Fitter and Fitter) when I go out, and I find I am using it more and more.
But I also need Chinery (for insects) and my camera, spare batteries......and suddenly my bag is really heavy.
I've not got that Fitter book Dorts, well not yet. Just ordered it for 1p on Amazon.....I like books so any excuse to get another.
Mel

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by stevecurtis

In all your opinions how does the keeble martin rate.
All the best Steve

Keeble Martin was one of the first complete fully colour-illustrated 'flora'. It was inovative in having several similar plants depicted on each page, a format now the norm.
But it lacked any worthwhile text, there were virtually no detailed plant descriptions which are so important to a good flora.

I, like so many of my age, was brought up with Collins 'The Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers' by McClintock and Fitter, first published in 1955. Still some of the best plant descriptions available for the non-botanist, but the illustrations were pitifull, very small with many in black and white. The total opposite to Keeble Martin.

Then came Francis Rose who produced his Pocket Flora which almost brought the two previous works together.

We now have many good Wildflower Guides available, but still none have quite completed the circle of perfect descriptions and illustrations, but some are not far off!
Dorts.