flowers for ID

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by stevecurtis

Hi thank you for an interesting thread, for my own I’d help can you please tell me the features in the photo that stops this being Oxford Ragwort.

All the best Steve

That's a good question Steve. The problem with this plant is that we really don't have much to go on.
It is a Ragwort, that's for sure. The one thing we know is that it was found growing on Chalk Grassland. That immediately discounts Marsh Ragwort, (which it looks very much like with it's red stems).
I didn't think it was Hoary Ragwort as there is no sign of 'hoariness' in either stem or leaf, plus as I mentioned before, for me the red stem discounts Hoary R.

That leaves us with Common or Oxford. I have never seen Oxford Ragwort growing on chalk grassland, that's not to say it doesn't somewhere, but it is very unlikely.
Oxford R. has very bold, quite full flowers, with a large, yellow central mass of disc florets, which tend not to turn brownish-orange as the flower ages.
Dorts.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by stevecurtis

Hi thank you for an interesting thread, for my own I’d help can you please tell me the features in the photo that stops this being Oxford Ragwort.
All the best Steve

Steve, further to your question re: Oxford Ragwort. Alindsay has just posted a great pic of it on this thread.

Oxford Ragwort ID confirmation please

The difference should be very clear.
Dorts.

[stevecurtis]

Thank you very much.

all the best steve