identification catchup

Some plants which were only identified to genus before.

Cerastium: the ratio of the lengths of petals and sepals can be used to discriminate, at least partly, between mouse-ears. Using this feature I have confirmed the presence of common mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum).

Symphytum: the variously purple, blue and pink-flowered comfreys common in the area turn out to represent variability in Russian comfrey (Symphytum ×uplandicum. Some of these are vari-coloured, but they do not show the colours that of rough comfrey that I have seen in gardens, nor other key characters, so this would appear to represent more variation in Russian comfrey. However, on the path that runs along the southern edge of the housing estate across the railway line there are a few white-flowered specimens, where the leaf is extended downwards to form a winged stem, which are common comfrey (Symphytum officinale).

Rosa: I took an excursion flora with me this morning, and had a look at the identity of some of the roses in the locality. Further along the path from those common comfrey were some burnet roses (Rosa pimpinellifolia), with a greater number of dog roses, not yet further identified. Both at the car park at the entrance to the old railway line, and at the entry to the allotment site, there are specimens of a dog rose (Rosa stylosa, identified by the conical disc). Next to one of these is a rose which may be a hybrid between burnet and dog roses.