Fumitory ID

[alindsay]

This one has frills round the petals & round fruits



This one is very purple with flat head fruits



This one straggly with flat headed fruits



I hope I have spotted some of the differences that make these not the same......

Help please & thanks in advance

[Dorts]

Alison, someone may be prepared to have a go at these Fumaria, but with the exception of the one or two very distinct species, I like to have the plant in my hand and a hand-lens to my eye, then they are not so difficult.
Dorts.

[lizard orchid]

Originally Posted by alindsay

This one has frills round the petals & round fruits



This one is very purple with flat head fruits



This one straggly with flat headed fruits



I hope I have spotted some of the differences that make these not the same......

Help please & thanks in advance

Fumitories can be difficult but the BSBI handbook on fumitories by Rose Murphy is a good one on the subject.
I have been looking at a number of species in recent weeks recording here in Northamptonshire.
Your first pic looks does to me look like dense flowered fumitory (Fumaria densiflora) with those wide and large white "wings" on the side of each floret as well as quite fine leaves. Had this species in two new sites here in Northamptonshire this year.
The second pic looks like common fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) which is quite a widespread species including here in Northamptonshire.

Brian Laney, Northamptonshire.

[lizard orchid]

What I have seen with my own experiences with dense flowered fumitory recently is the heads are quite squat (compacted) and those wide white wings on the side of each floret can become not so prominent as the flower head matures. The wings are quite distinct in the new fresher heads like the photograph you have here.

Brian Laney, Northamptonshire.

[alindsay]

Thanks Brian,

These were found not so far away in South Bedfordshire.

Is the third photo also common Fumitory?

Is there a particular reason why these plants have been so minutely studied to identify that they are in fact different types?

[lizard orchid]

Like a lot of these difficult plant groups they do get well studied over time and it is good to see publications coming out on these groups. A number of new sites for a number of these fumitory species has come to light thanks to the new book I am sure including Martin's ramping fumitory. In fact I found that species new for Kent a few months ago.
Anyway I don't know of any publication on the fumitory group in past years so it is great something has now been produced.
Fumitories are very variable and even with the book I have had to send specimens to the experts on this group Dr Tim Rich and Rose Murphy who both have been very helpful indeed.
Looking again at both your second and third pics they could be both common fumitory but it is difficult to see the side "wing" (sorry forgot proper term on wing) on the individual florets.
I am happy with picture one being dense flowered fumitory.
If possible please send your record into the Beds county recorder via the biological records centre unless you have done so already.

Brian Laney, Northamptonshire.

[alindsay]

Brian

Could you provide a web link to enable me to record the Fumitories, as I have searched the internet with no exact match

Thanks

[lizard orchid]

Sorry but I don't know of a web link myself on the subject. Worth looking at a copy of the book if you see one or know someone who has one.

Brian Laney, Northamptonshire.

[lizard orchid]

Originally Posted by alindsay

Brian

Could you provide a web link to enable me to record the Fumitories, as I have searched the internet with no exact match

Thanks

I have the details of the book which are Fumitories of Britain and Ireland by R.J. Murphy BSBI handbook No.12 published 2009.
I hope this helps.

Brian Laney, Northamptonshire.

[alindsay]

Thanks Brian