sun spurge
17 years ago
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
buttercups
Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) has been in flower for several weeks. Buttercups are now coming into flower; having reminded myself of the difference in foliage between creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) and field buttercup (Ranunculus acris) I find that both are currently in flower in the area.
white-flowered crucifers
The most widespread crucifer in the area is hairy bitter-cress (Cardamine hirsuta), which grows in a variety of weedy situations, but is absent from the dry situations favoured by some other cruciferous weeds. Cardamine hirsuta varies greatly in size, and habit.
Wavy bitter-cress (Cardamine flexuosa) is not easily distinguishable from C. hirsuta, but can be recognised by the presence of 6, rather than 4, stamens. I hadn't identified the former within the Florula Prima area until today, when I encountered some in wet area along the course of the abandoned railway line that runs along the back of my garden.
A third species of Cardamine, Lady's Smock (Cardamine pratense agg.) is widespread in wet areas, including my garden. (Cardamine pratense), which commonly propagates vegetatively, is a complex of at least 5 cytotypes, but although the species is variable, distinct types cannot be identifed by morphology in Britain.)
Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is common in dry urban locations, such as pavement back edges, and at the feet of street trees. A long-fruited crucifer, which I identify as thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) is also common in such locations.
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is common along hedgerows and woodland edges.
Danish scurvy grass (Cochlearia danica) is common in its narrow habit - dry, hot, salty locations along the verges of major roads.
An observation of a single plant of whitlow-grass (Erophila verna) awaits confirmation.
Among crucifers with other coloured flowers, annual honesty (Lunaria annua), and species of Brassica and Sisyrimbium have been seen.
Wavy bitter-cress (Cardamine flexuosa) is not easily distinguishable from C. hirsuta, but can be recognised by the presence of 6, rather than 4, stamens. I hadn't identified the former within the Florula Prima area until today, when I encountered some in wet area along the course of the abandoned railway line that runs along the back of my garden.
A third species of Cardamine, Lady's Smock (Cardamine pratense agg.) is widespread in wet areas, including my garden. (Cardamine pratense), which commonly propagates vegetatively, is a complex of at least 5 cytotypes, but although the species is variable, distinct types cannot be identifed by morphology in Britain.)
Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is common in dry urban locations, such as pavement back edges, and at the feet of street trees. A long-fruited crucifer, which I identify as thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) is also common in such locations.
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is common along hedgerows and woodland edges.
Danish scurvy grass (Cochlearia danica) is common in its narrow habit - dry, hot, salty locations along the verges of major roads.
An observation of a single plant of whitlow-grass (Erophila verna) awaits confirmation.
Among crucifers with other coloured flowers, annual honesty (Lunaria annua), and species of Brassica and Sisyrimbium have been seen.
more trees
Alder (Alnus glutinosa) - sapling growing underneath a bridge.
Holly (Ilex aquifolium) - seedlings and young trees within a pine plantation on a small hill.
Oak (Quercus robur) - seedling along the old railway line that runs along the back of my house.
Holly (Ilex aquifolium) - seedlings and young trees within a pine plantation on a small hill.
Oak (Quercus robur) - seedling along the old railway line that runs along the back of my house.
Monday, 12 May 2008
cranesbills
Herb robert (Geranium robertianum and shining cranesbill (Geranium lucidum) are common in the area, and are easily identified, the former by its palmate leaves, and the latter by its shining leaves.
At least one other species in now flowering in scattered localities in the area.
Hedgerow cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum), dovesfoot cranesbull (Geranium molle) and small-flowered cranesbill (Geranium pusillum) are difficult to tell apart, at least with my degree of knowledge. It turns out that the common one here is G. molle, but that I have been overlooking it as G. pyrenaicum, or G. rotundifolium, but apart from the larger flowers of G. pyrenaicum G. pyrenaicum has yellow stigmas, and G. molle red stigmas. G. rotundifolium has entire petals, instead of the bifid petals of the other three species.
Of the 3 plants I had photographed as G. molle in past years only one is definitely that species; the identity of the others is not currently clear to me. On the other hand, one photograph labelled as G. pyrenaicum turns out to be G. molle (but there are also genuine photographs of G. pyrenaicum).
G. pusillum has smaller and paler (lilac versus purple-pink) flowers, and instead of the ten fertile stamens of the other two species has five fertile and five sterile stamens. Although there are plants in the area with paler flowers those I have obtained clear photographs of have ten fertile stamens, and I am interpreting them as variation in the flower colour of G. molle.
At least one other species in now flowering in scattered localities in the area.
Hedgerow cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum), dovesfoot cranesbull (Geranium molle) and small-flowered cranesbill (Geranium pusillum) are difficult to tell apart, at least with my degree of knowledge. It turns out that the common one here is G. molle, but that I have been overlooking it as G. pyrenaicum, or G. rotundifolium, but apart from the larger flowers of G. pyrenaicum G. pyrenaicum has yellow stigmas, and G. molle red stigmas. G. rotundifolium has entire petals, instead of the bifid petals of the other three species.
Of the 3 plants I had photographed as G. molle in past years only one is definitely that species; the identity of the others is not currently clear to me. On the other hand, one photograph labelled as G. pyrenaicum turns out to be G. molle (but there are also genuine photographs of G. pyrenaicum).
G. pusillum has smaller and paler (lilac versus purple-pink) flowers, and instead of the ten fertile stamens of the other two species has five fertile and five sterile stamens. Although there are plants in the area with paler flowers those I have obtained clear photographs of have ten fertile stamens, and I am interpreting them as variation in the flower colour of G. molle.
trees and shrubs
With herbaceous plants it is usually fairly obvious which plants are cultivated, and which are wild or feral. This isn't the case for trees, and to a lesser extent shrubs, particularly hedgerow shrubs.
Therefore I am introducing as a rule of thumb (not necessarily to be followed to the letter) that trees and shrubs wild enough to qualify for the Florula as those which are observed to be producing seedlings.
From today's travels, these include sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastaneum). To these should be added hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) - I pulled up an unwanted sapling from my back garden a few days back.
Willows and cotoneasters also qualify on these grounds, but I have yet to identify the species involved.
Therefore I am introducing as a rule of thumb (not necessarily to be followed to the letter) that trees and shrubs wild enough to qualify for the Florula as those which are observed to be producing seedlings.
From today's travels, these include sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastaneum). To these should be added hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) - I pulled up an unwanted sapling from my back garden a few days back.
Willows and cotoneasters also qualify on these grounds, but I have yet to identify the species involved.
western end of town
I had a look at the grass verges at the western end of town. Herbaceous plants observed were yarrow (Achillea millefolium), ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), daisy (Bellis perennis), shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), a mouse-ear (Cerastium sp.), a goosefoot (Chenopodium sp.), spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare), cleavers (Galium aparine), dove's foot cranesbill (Geranium molle), red dead nettle (Lamium purpureum), green alkanet (Pentaglossis sempervirens), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), great plantain (Plantago major), hoary plantain (Plantago media), sorrel (Rumex acetosa), broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolia), groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), smooth sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), a chickweed (Stellaria sp.), dandelion (Taraxacum offinciale agg.), a hop trefoil (Trifolium sp.), nettle (Urtica dioica) and germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
Friday, 9 May 2008
short botanising expedition
I started a survey of a section of roadside verge, before abandoning it due to the commencement of rain, and a battery low indicator on the camera.
However, over about 100 yards of verge the following were seen - Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard), Anthriscus sylvestris (cow parsley), Cardamine hirsuta (hairy bitter cress), Galium aparine (cleavers), Heracleum sphondylium (hogweed), Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain), Ranunculus sp. (buttercup, probably R. acris), Rosa sp. (rose), Rubus fruticosus agg. (bramble), Rumex sp. (dock), Senecio jacobaea (common ragwort), Senecio squalidus (Oxford Ragwort), Senecio vulgaris (groundsel), Taraxacum officinale agg. (dandelion), Urtica dioica (nettle), Veronica sp. (speedwell, small-, pale-flowered), Vicia sp. (vetch) and a bindweed (probably Calystegia sp.).
However, over about 100 yards of verge the following were seen - Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard), Anthriscus sylvestris (cow parsley), Cardamine hirsuta (hairy bitter cress), Galium aparine (cleavers), Heracleum sphondylium (hogweed), Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain), Ranunculus sp. (buttercup, probably R. acris), Rosa sp. (rose), Rubus fruticosus agg. (bramble), Rumex sp. (dock), Senecio jacobaea (common ragwort), Senecio squalidus (Oxford Ragwort), Senecio vulgaris (groundsel), Taraxacum officinale agg. (dandelion), Urtica dioica (nettle), Veronica sp. (speedwell, small-, pale-flowered), Vicia sp. (vetch) and a bindweed (probably Calystegia sp.).
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