Please ID this wildflower for me

[RichP]

seen in a man-made meadow, there were lots and lots of these blue flowers...



thank you very much

[Dorts]

It's Phacelia -Phacelia tanacetifolia. Increasingly used in wild-flower mixes. Not native.

By the way Rich, welcome to WAB.
Dorts.

[The Woodman]

Should that be of concern?

[RichP]

Thanks very much Dorts and thank you for the quick response. I didn't think it was my native because my mother had no idea what it was, and she normally knows everything

I did wonder if company's should be planting these flowers if they are not native? (the meadow is surrounding a large UK firm)

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Should that be of concern?

Sorry Woodman, not sure if you mean pointing out that it's not native; or that it's often in Wild-flower mixes, so I'll answer both.
(Though I'm sure you don't mean the former).

I think pointing out whether a plant is native or not often answers a potential follow-up question.
There have been a number of such questions on WAB, which does show that it is of interest.
Until a few years ago, many County Recorders, (especially the older brigade), would show little interest in records of aliens.
I was often told "If it's still around in 50 years I may record it"!
Today of course all records are of interest, but it is always noted if a species is native or not. Presumably that applies to records of everything, be-it flora or fauna.

As for being included in Wild-Flower mixes, well, Phacelia has been around for some time now and we don't seem to be in danger of being over-run by it, so no, not a problem.

Originally Posted by RichP

Thanks very much Dorts and thank you for the quick response. I didn't think it was my native because my mother had no idea what it was, and she normally knows everything
I did wonder if company's should be planting these flowers if they are not native? (the meadow is surrounding a large UK firm)

We have introduced tens of thousands of different species of plants to these Islands by way of plants for the garden, in with wool, shoddy, grain etc. Although many are here to stay, few have caused a real problem and many make a welcome addition to our countryside, often when it's not realised to be an invader. So, in the main, I don't see a problem.
Dorts.

[The Woodman]

Thanks Dorts, you've answered my concerns. I still have a niggling feeling about casting alien seeds around the countryside. We've seen so many aggressive plants cause much damage and expense in trying to get rid of them, especially those that fill a niche. I was looking at a game crop suppliers catalogue and wondering the very same thoughts.

Do these seed mixes have to tested by DEFRA for example as to their suitability for letting loose on the countryside?

I see that Phacelia is included in a Bumblebee mix and note that the supplier says that it should reseed and last four years.....Bumblebee Mix - Bright Seeds

Sold by the same company under another title, it apparently cannot withstand frosts so it must be doubtful if it will get through our winters at all.
Phacelia - Gamecover - Bright Seeds

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Thanks Dorts, you've answered my concerns. I still have a niggling feeling about casting alien seeds around the countryside. We've seen so many aggressive plants cause much damage and expense in trying to get rid of them, especially those that fill a niche. I was looking at a game crop suppliers catalogue and wondering the very same thoughts.
Do these seed mixes have to tested by DEFRA for example as to their suitability for letting loose on the countryside?

I see that Phacelia is included in a Bumblebee mix and note that the supplier says that it should reseed and last four years.....Bumblebee Mix - Bright Seeds

Sold by the same company under another title, it apparently cannot withstand frosts so it must be doubtful if it will get through our winters at all.
Phacelia - Gamecover - Bright Seeds

Although in general I don't feel there is a problem with introducing alien seed, we shouldn't be cavalier about it.
Three of our biggest 'problem plants', Mimalayan Balsam, Knotweed and Rhododendron ponticum came from the Himalayas where, in the lower valleys, the climate is very similar to ours. But then so did many, many other species come from that region without causing any problems.

Defra seems only concerned that the seed coming into Britain is as stated, is pure and uncontaminated. I have never seen an actual list of plant seed banned from import.
As I said in my earlier post, we have introduced so many thousands of species that it would seem a bit meaningless to now pull-up the drawbridge.
Dorts.

[The Woodman]

Originally Posted by Dorts

Although in general I don't feel there is a problem with introducing alien seed, we shouldn't be cavalier about it.

I quite agree. Mans continuing quest for new species for pleasure, crop, or other use attracts risk. Inapropriate exotic species and site plantings, escapes and uncontrolled planting have generated problems in places and control measures can be very costly. The EA alone spends £2m per annum giving advice on controlling alien species apparently, let alone actually doing the job! Once established, alien species of flora and fauna are generally here to stay, cost and impracticality of eradication being the reason they're here.

[willowjay]

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to spend three months in Melbourne, and of course spent much of my time taking pics to add to my little notebooks. And then having fun later trying to find out what they were all called. Most birds were not too difficult - but when it came to plants I spent many hours on the net ...

One really superb shrub Polygala myrtifolia which grows on the cliffs down at Cape Shanck turned out to be a "very serious environmental weed". Many of their beautiful (to me) plants are considered a problem as they are crowding out the more delicate natives. I did wonder why people were staring at me as I was crawling around on the cliff edge trying to get the best shot of the stunning pink flowers

[alindsay]

I fell in love with this shrub in Mallorca this year and am now thrilled to know its name and that it is part of the Milkwort family as I was so reminded of this genus when I studied the flower closely.

It did seem though, to be under control as I only saw it in parks and gardens.

For those who are wondering what plant we are talking about I attach a photo, though there were no cliffs involved in taking it.



Thanks Willowjay for the latter post and thanks RichP for starting us off, though I think we digressed.

By the way, Phacelia is also known as Scorpionweed.