Another Alexander query..

[alindsay]

Doesn't it always make you smile to see an ....hello is Tosca!!!!!! post?
Great entertainment and of great value. Thanks Tosca!!!!!!!

However the last one bought to my attention that I have a photo of an Alexander in my album, mismamed up till now as Wild Celery, but can anyone tell from the photo & enlargement (and I only have this one), which Alexander it might be?

It was found on low lying, bit marshy area under sand dunes on the Fylde coast last June.





Thanks in advance

[fairplay]

There is only one 'Alexander' that I know of in the UK, and the name specifically refers to Smyrnium olusatrum, which was introduced by the Romans as a pot herb, now naturalised and spreading further and further inland.

I'm wondering if you meant to say 'umbellifer' - a plant of the Parsley family, instead of 'Alexander'

Neil.

Edit: Just noticed mention of Fyled Coast, no idea where that is, but could be a remote spot where strange things grow, so I consulted my 'bigger book' (Casselles -as it is now called) and low and behold it mentions 'Perfoliate Alexanders' - never knew that before !

[alindsay]

...aaah thanks Neil, I misread my Collins and so my question should be ...

Is this one of the Oenanthes because of the red bits on the flower and the features of the fruit?

[Dorts]

Alison, it looks to me like Hemlock Water Dropwort - Oenanthe crocata. Along with the leaves, it's the tubular seed-pods that make me go for that species.
Can't think of anything else it could be at the moment. Certainly not Alexanders. There is Perfoliate Alexanders - Smyrnium perfoliatum, but that is a very different plant, (used by flower-arrangers).
Dorts.

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by alindsay

...aaah thanks Neil, I misread my Collins and so my question should be ...

Is this one of the Oenanthes because of the red bits on the flower and the features of the fruit?

aaaah, now you're getting technical, so I shall exit stage left and introduce Dort's (mind, I could look up the word, and I've enough literature to be able to find out, but I have too many threads on the go tonight)

Neil.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by alindsay

Is this one of the Oenanthes because of the red bits on the flower and the features of the fruit?

Yeh, I'm with you Neil. 'Red-Bits' is getting a bit too technical!
Dorts.

[daboos]

Thanks Alindsay.....I love your flower pictures....and I think you are all fantastic people in this forum....you make me happy and smile!!!! :-)

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by daboos

Thanks Alindsay.....I love your flower pictures....and I think you are all fantastic people in this forum....you make me happy and smile!!!! :-)

What ! Even me ? Oh I love you, I love you.

Neil.

[daboos]

.....even you Neil!!!! :-)

[alindsay]

Thanks Dorts for the ID and for the fun Neil & Tosca.