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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
Whereas Lesser Celandines are members of the Buttercup family, the Greater Celandine is in fact a relative of the various poppies.
Identification
Usually 30 to 90cm tall but occasionally well over a metre in height, this sparsely-hairy plant is characterised by greyish-green pinnate leaves with lobed margins. The branching stems are topped with loose cymes of typically three to five yellow flowers, 15 to 25mm across, with four oval petals.
Distribution
This perennial wildflower is fairly common throughout Britain and Ireland and can also be found in many parts of mainland Europe and Asia. Greater Celandine was introduced and is now quite widely distributed in North America.
Habitat
Chelidonium majus is most often seen in urban hedgerows, beside woodland paths, and on sheltered tree-lined riverbanks, but occasionally this plant occurs on disturbed scrubby waste ground too.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland the first flowers of Greater Celandine appear in April, but it is usually June or even July before these lanky plants make much of a show; they continue blooming until at least the middle of October.
Uses
The orange sap within this plant contains toxins which, in appropriate amounts, may have medicinal value - and in the past this plant was used as the basis for many herbal remedies including the treatment of toothache.
Identification
Usually 30 to 90cm tall but occasionally well over a metre in height, this sparsely-hairy plant is characterised by greyish-green pinnate leaves with lobed margins. The branching stems are topped with loose cymes of typically three to five yellow flowers, 15 to 25mm across, with four oval petals.
Distribution
This perennial wildflower is fairly common throughout Britain and Ireland and can also be found in many parts of mainland Europe and Asia. Greater Celandine was introduced and is now quite widely distributed in North America.
Habitat
Chelidonium majus is most often seen in urban hedgerows, beside woodland paths, and on sheltered tree-lined riverbanks, but occasionally this plant occurs on disturbed scrubby waste ground too.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland the first flowers of Greater Celandine appear in April, but it is usually June or even July before these lanky plants make much of a show; they continue blooming until at least the middle of October.
Uses
The orange sap within this plant contains toxins which, in appropriate amounts, may have medicinal value - and in the past this plant was used as the basis for many herbal remedies including the treatment of toothache.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
Bees, butterflies and those people who look closely at wildflowers are attracted to these spectacular wildflowers, but for different reasons.
Identification
A perennial with finely bristly erect grey-green stems, Greater Knapweed grows up to 1.2m in height and its upper part branches freely. Knapweeds are readily distinguished from thistles by the absence of spines and prickles.
Greater Knapweed leaves are alternate, stalked, dark green and slightly leathery; mostly they are pinnately lobed (but irregularly divided) with a few narrow leaflets.
Flower heads, 3 to 5cm across, are borne singly or occasionally a few in an open cyme. Unlike Common Knapweed, which only occasionally has rayed flowers, the violet flowers of Greater Knapweed are nearly always rayed. Within each floret there are five stamens and a pistil of two fused carpels.
The flower head is backed by an almost spherical involucre comprising overlapping bracts that are green at the base and blackish brown at the fringed tips. (The bases of the bracts of Common Knapweed are brown rather than green, and this is a key distinguishing feature which can easily be observed in the field - very helpful when the flowers are in rayed form.)
Distribution
Very common throughout Most of Britain and Ireland except for the far north of Scotland, where it is an occasional find, Greater Knapweed is a European native species that has been introduced to many other parts of the world including North America, where it has become naturalised but generally sparsely distributed across the central region and in parts of Canada..
Habitat
Greater Knapweed if found in dry grassland, in hedgerows, on chalk downland, and and on cliff tops on lime-rich soil.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland Greater Knapweed flowers first appear in July (slightly later than those of Common Knapweed) and continue into September.
Uses
The leaves of this plant were used to treat scabies, a contagious and painful skin infection caused by mites that burrow into the skin - see Etymology, below. (We strongly advise against eating or using as medicines any plants without first obtaining professional advice.)
Insects, including bees and butterflies (notably the Marbled White Melanargea galathea, as seen in the picture above) , are very fond of these long-flowering plants. Burnet Moths, Zygaena species, are often seen in great numbers on Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa and other members of the Centaurea genus.
Identification
A perennial with finely bristly erect grey-green stems, Greater Knapweed grows up to 1.2m in height and its upper part branches freely. Knapweeds are readily distinguished from thistles by the absence of spines and prickles.
Greater Knapweed leaves are alternate, stalked, dark green and slightly leathery; mostly they are pinnately lobed (but irregularly divided) with a few narrow leaflets.
Flower heads, 3 to 5cm across, are borne singly or occasionally a few in an open cyme. Unlike Common Knapweed, which only occasionally has rayed flowers, the violet flowers of Greater Knapweed are nearly always rayed. Within each floret there are five stamens and a pistil of two fused carpels.
The flower head is backed by an almost spherical involucre comprising overlapping bracts that are green at the base and blackish brown at the fringed tips. (The bases of the bracts of Common Knapweed are brown rather than green, and this is a key distinguishing feature which can easily be observed in the field - very helpful when the flowers are in rayed form.)
Distribution
Very common throughout Most of Britain and Ireland except for the far north of Scotland, where it is an occasional find, Greater Knapweed is a European native species that has been introduced to many other parts of the world including North America, where it has become naturalised but generally sparsely distributed across the central region and in parts of Canada..
Habitat
Greater Knapweed if found in dry grassland, in hedgerows, on chalk downland, and and on cliff tops on lime-rich soil.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland Greater Knapweed flowers first appear in July (slightly later than those of Common Knapweed) and continue into September.
Uses
The leaves of this plant were used to treat scabies, a contagious and painful skin infection caused by mites that burrow into the skin - see Etymology, below. (We strongly advise against eating or using as medicines any plants without first obtaining professional advice.)
Insects, including bees and butterflies (notably the Marbled White Melanargea galathea, as seen in the picture above) , are very fond of these long-flowering plants. Burnet Moths, Zygaena species, are often seen in great numbers on Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa and other members of the Centaurea genus.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
Identification
A hairy perennial with stiff erect ribbed stems, Common Knapweed grows up to a metre in height and its upper part branches freely. Knapweeds are readily distinguished from thistles by the absence of spines and prickles.
Common Knapweed leaves are dull green and finely hairy, but in other respects they vary greatly. The upper leaves are usually narrow and entire (without lobes) and untoothed, while the lower leaves are sometimes lobed and have coarse teeth.
The flower-head is hard and solid, a mass of dark-brown-fringed green bracts overlapping over each like roof tiles. The flowers, which are hermaphrodite (having both male and female reproductive organs) look rather like pinkish-purple shaving brushes, with the bracts serving as stubby handles. Each 'flower' comprises many tubular florets, and generally all of similar length; however, rayed forms of Common Knapweed do occur, when the outer florets are more like those of Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa. (The bracts of these species are very different: green bracts in the case of Greater Knapweed; brown in Common Knapweed.)
Distribution
Very common throughout Most of Britain and Ireland except for the far north of Scotland, where it is an occasional find, Common Knapweed is a European native species that has been introduced to many other parts of the world including North America, where it has in places become a nuisance weed because it so easily invades places where the soil has been disturbed.
Habitat
Common Knapweed grows wherever grass is not closely cropped. It is often abundant beside lakes and streams in southern Britain, especially where grazing animals have been fenced off from themargins.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland Common Knapweed flowers first appear in June and continue into September.
Uses
In 14th century Britain this wildflower was known as Matfellon, and it was eaten with pepper at the start of a meal to stimulate the appetite. Knapweed flowers are edible and can be added to salads, but the tough bracts are definitely not worth trying. In Wales, the Physicians of Myddfai included Common Knapweed with many other herbs in a potion to counteract the toxins in Adder bites. (We strongly advise against eating or using as medicines any plants without first obtaining professional advice.)
Insects, including bees and butterflies, are very fond of these long-flowering plants. Seen on the left is a Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae which, in central and southern Britain in particular, is a common sight on the flowers of Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra and other members of the Centaurea genus.
A hairy perennial with stiff erect ribbed stems, Common Knapweed grows up to a metre in height and its upper part branches freely. Knapweeds are readily distinguished from thistles by the absence of spines and prickles.
Common Knapweed leaves are dull green and finely hairy, but in other respects they vary greatly. The upper leaves are usually narrow and entire (without lobes) and untoothed, while the lower leaves are sometimes lobed and have coarse teeth.
The flower-head is hard and solid, a mass of dark-brown-fringed green bracts overlapping over each like roof tiles. The flowers, which are hermaphrodite (having both male and female reproductive organs) look rather like pinkish-purple shaving brushes, with the bracts serving as stubby handles. Each 'flower' comprises many tubular florets, and generally all of similar length; however, rayed forms of Common Knapweed do occur, when the outer florets are more like those of Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa. (The bracts of these species are very different: green bracts in the case of Greater Knapweed; brown in Common Knapweed.)
Distribution
Very common throughout Most of Britain and Ireland except for the far north of Scotland, where it is an occasional find, Common Knapweed is a European native species that has been introduced to many other parts of the world including North America, where it has in places become a nuisance weed because it so easily invades places where the soil has been disturbed.
Habitat
Common Knapweed grows wherever grass is not closely cropped. It is often abundant beside lakes and streams in southern Britain, especially where grazing animals have been fenced off from themargins.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland Common Knapweed flowers first appear in June and continue into September.
Uses
In 14th century Britain this wildflower was known as Matfellon, and it was eaten with pepper at the start of a meal to stimulate the appetite. Knapweed flowers are edible and can be added to salads, but the tough bracts are definitely not worth trying. In Wales, the Physicians of Myddfai included Common Knapweed with many other herbs in a potion to counteract the toxins in Adder bites. (We strongly advise against eating or using as medicines any plants without first obtaining professional advice.)
Insects, including bees and butterflies, are very fond of these long-flowering plants. Seen on the left is a Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae which, in central and southern Britain in particular, is a common sight on the flowers of Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra and other members of the Centaurea genus.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
This slender, delicate wildflower was known as the bluebell in some parts of Scotland, but most people in Britain and Ireland who know their wildflowers call it the Harebell.
Identification
Campanula rotundifoila is a hairless perennial that copes well with drought and exposure to sun and wind, but as a result its height is very variable and ranges from a mere 15cm to 40cm and occasionally more.
The short-lived basal leaves are round and have long stalks; leaves higher on the stems are narrower and stemless, persisting throughout the blooming period. The delicate nodding blue flowers, borne on short slender stalks, are bell shaped with nearly always five fused out-curved petals creating a toothed corolla 12 to 25mm long.
Distribution
Campanula rotundifolia is common and widespread throughout Britain and occurs in many parts of Ireland particularly along the western and northern coasts. This wildlfower is also found in many parts of mainland Europe and in North America.
Habitat
Harebells are found in both acid and alkaline sites, but they favour dry grassy situations such as coastal sand-dune systems and the edges of pine woodland on sandy soils.
Harebells grow in great abundance and make spectacular displays on banks, under sparse hedgerows and on well drained slopes in the hills of Britain and Ireland.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland the first Harebells bloom in late June or early July and continue flowering through to the end of October and occasionally, if the weather is not too harsh, well in to November. Although late arrivals, therefore, these pretty little flowers add a welcome splash of colour to the countryside in late summer, just as most other wildflowers are dying back.
Etymology
Campanula, the genus name, referes to the campanulate (bell-like) form of the flowers, while the specific epithet rotundifolia means with round (in other words rotund!) leaves.
Uses
Although it has in the past been used to treat various ailments, there is surprisingly little reference to Harebells as a herbal remedy. Perhaps some flowers really are best enjoyed for their beauty... unless you are a bee, in which case you will not be alone in visiting Harebells.
Identification
Campanula rotundifoila is a hairless perennial that copes well with drought and exposure to sun and wind, but as a result its height is very variable and ranges from a mere 15cm to 40cm and occasionally more.
The short-lived basal leaves are round and have long stalks; leaves higher on the stems are narrower and stemless, persisting throughout the blooming period. The delicate nodding blue flowers, borne on short slender stalks, are bell shaped with nearly always five fused out-curved petals creating a toothed corolla 12 to 25mm long.
Distribution
Campanula rotundifolia is common and widespread throughout Britain and occurs in many parts of Ireland particularly along the western and northern coasts. This wildlfower is also found in many parts of mainland Europe and in North America.
Habitat
Harebells are found in both acid and alkaline sites, but they favour dry grassy situations such as coastal sand-dune systems and the edges of pine woodland on sandy soils.
Harebells grow in great abundance and make spectacular displays on banks, under sparse hedgerows and on well drained slopes in the hills of Britain and Ireland.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland the first Harebells bloom in late June or early July and continue flowering through to the end of October and occasionally, if the weather is not too harsh, well in to November. Although late arrivals, therefore, these pretty little flowers add a welcome splash of colour to the countryside in late summer, just as most other wildflowers are dying back.
Etymology
Campanula, the genus name, referes to the campanulate (bell-like) form of the flowers, while the specific epithet rotundifolia means with round (in other words rotund!) leaves.
Uses
Although it has in the past been used to treat various ailments, there is surprisingly little reference to Harebells as a herbal remedy. Perhaps some flowers really are best enjoyed for their beauty... unless you are a bee, in which case you will not be alone in visiting Harebells.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
Marsh-marigold Caltha palustris is one of those wonderful wildflowers of early spring that offer hope of warmer weather to come after a long cold winter.
Identification
Between 2 and 5cm in diameter, most of the bright yellow flowers of Caltha palustris have five petal-like sepals (although sometimes you may see flowers with as few as four petals and very occasionally there can be up to nine) with numerous yellow stamens.
The waxy green kidney-shaped or roundish leaves are 5 to 20cm across and have bluntly-serrated margins. Another very helpful identifying feature is that the stems of Marsh-marigolds are hollow.
Distribution
Common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, Marsh-marigolds are found throughout mainland Europe, northern Asia and the cooler northern parts of North America.
Habitat
Found mainly in wet (carr) woodlands, river and stream margins, bogs, marshes, and the banks of lakes and ponds, the aptly named Marsh-marigold, alsoknown by many other local names including Kingcup and May Blobs, is a most conspicuous wildflower. These large butter-yellow flowers also light up the edges of shady woodland streams and damp ditches beside country lanes.
Blooming Times
In sheltered locations the first flowers of Caltha palustris can appear in late February well before the spring fireworks display of other wildflowers, but April and May are when you will see these flowers at their best in Britain. A few stragglers sometimes continue to bloom well into June or early July, but by then the plants have collapsed and lost their youthfulness.
Uses
Roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds of this plant are all poisonous, and if handled they have been known to cause irritation of the skin and even dermatitis. Nevertheless, their value in the margins of a garden pond or any other shaded boggy hollow is not restricted to their aesthetic beauty: in common with other members of the Buttercup family, Marsh-marigolds are pollinated by the many small insects of springtime.
Identification
Between 2 and 5cm in diameter, most of the bright yellow flowers of Caltha palustris have five petal-like sepals (although sometimes you may see flowers with as few as four petals and very occasionally there can be up to nine) with numerous yellow stamens.
The waxy green kidney-shaped or roundish leaves are 5 to 20cm across and have bluntly-serrated margins. Another very helpful identifying feature is that the stems of Marsh-marigolds are hollow.
Distribution
Common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, Marsh-marigolds are found throughout mainland Europe, northern Asia and the cooler northern parts of North America.
Habitat
Found mainly in wet (carr) woodlands, river and stream margins, bogs, marshes, and the banks of lakes and ponds, the aptly named Marsh-marigold, alsoknown by many other local names including Kingcup and May Blobs, is a most conspicuous wildflower. These large butter-yellow flowers also light up the edges of shady woodland streams and damp ditches beside country lanes.
Blooming Times
In sheltered locations the first flowers of Caltha palustris can appear in late February well before the spring fireworks display of other wildflowers, but April and May are when you will see these flowers at their best in Britain. A few stragglers sometimes continue to bloom well into June or early July, but by then the plants have collapsed and lost their youthfulness.
Uses
Roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds of this plant are all poisonous, and if handled they have been known to cause irritation of the skin and even dermatitis. Nevertheless, their value in the margins of a garden pond or any other shaded boggy hollow is not restricted to their aesthetic beauty: in common with other members of the Buttercup family, Marsh-marigolds are pollinated by the many small insects of springtime.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
Identification
Up to 60cm tall, this bristly branching annual herb has pointed oval leaves with toothed wavy margins. The bright blue flowers of Borage, each with five pointed recurved petals and an extended column of purple-black-tipped anthers, range from 2 to 12.5m across and grow in loose clusters (cymes).
Distribution
This gorgeous plant, which is established on a few roadsides and in waste ground in southern Britain, is cultivated as a culinary herb in summertime. Borage is common throughout the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, including the Algarve in Portugal where, as well as reproducing from seed annually, it is also capable of over-wintering.
Habitat
Borago officinalis is a wildflower of fallow cultivated land, disturbed roadsides and waste ground. It thrives in sunny locations and copes surprisingly well during dry periods.
Blooming Times
Borage blooms from March to June within its native Mediterranean range but throughout the summer months in Britain and Ireland.
Uses
Not surprisingly, Borage has been grown mainly as an ornamental plant, although its leaves are used to flavour drinks - notably Pimms. These days the plant is also grown in cultivation for its oil-rich seeds.
Up to 60cm tall, this bristly branching annual herb has pointed oval leaves with toothed wavy margins. The bright blue flowers of Borage, each with five pointed recurved petals and an extended column of purple-black-tipped anthers, range from 2 to 12.5m across and grow in loose clusters (cymes).
Distribution
This gorgeous plant, which is established on a few roadsides and in waste ground in southern Britain, is cultivated as a culinary herb in summertime. Borage is common throughout the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, including the Algarve in Portugal where, as well as reproducing from seed annually, it is also capable of over-wintering.
Habitat
Borago officinalis is a wildflower of fallow cultivated land, disturbed roadsides and waste ground. It thrives in sunny locations and copes surprisingly well during dry periods.
Blooming Times
Borage blooms from March to June within its native Mediterranean range but throughout the summer months in Britain and Ireland.
Uses
Not surprisingly, Borage has been grown mainly as an ornamental plant, although its leaves are used to flavour drinks - notably Pimms. These days the plant is also grown in cultivation for its oil-rich seeds.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月09日
Identification
Rarely more than 10cm tall, thisgrassland perennial has a basal rosette of spoon-shaped leaves and leafless stalks each topped by one individual (but composite) 'flower' comprising a central group of yellow disc florets surrounded by white ray florets.
Especially when young the outer rays are often tipped with red, a feature that probably adds greatly to the appeal of this popular wildflower.
The overall diameter of a Common Daisy 'flower' is usually between 1.2 and 2.4cm.
Distribution
Daisies are common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, and this species is also common on mainland Europe and in many other parts of the world including North America.
Habitat
Common Daisies, or simply Daisies as most people refer to them, grow in lawns, churchyards, playing fields and parks - indeed they seem able to thrive almost anywhere that permanent meadows or other kinds of grassland are kept to a short sward either by moderate grazing, frequent mowing, or just the passage of people's feet.
Blooming Times
Flowers of Bellis perennis first appear in early spring and the plants continues blooming all through summer and into autumn. In May these robust wildflowers are usually at their very best.
Uses
Popular not only in posies but even more so as the raw ingredients of 'daisy chains', Bellis perennis is an amazingly tenacious plant and can be very difficult to eradicate from lawns and golf greens.
Once very common in almost all permanent pastures, Daisies are still among the most abundant of wildflowers wherever fertilisers and weedkillers are not extensively applied to fields, parks and lawns.
Rarely more than 10cm tall, thisgrassland perennial has a basal rosette of spoon-shaped leaves and leafless stalks each topped by one individual (but composite) 'flower' comprising a central group of yellow disc florets surrounded by white ray florets.
Especially when young the outer rays are often tipped with red, a feature that probably adds greatly to the appeal of this popular wildflower.
The overall diameter of a Common Daisy 'flower' is usually between 1.2 and 2.4cm.
Distribution
Daisies are common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, and this species is also common on mainland Europe and in many other parts of the world including North America.
Habitat
Common Daisies, or simply Daisies as most people refer to them, grow in lawns, churchyards, playing fields and parks - indeed they seem able to thrive almost anywhere that permanent meadows or other kinds of grassland are kept to a short sward either by moderate grazing, frequent mowing, or just the passage of people's feet.
Blooming Times
Flowers of Bellis perennis first appear in early spring and the plants continues blooming all through summer and into autumn. In May these robust wildflowers are usually at their very best.
Uses
Popular not only in posies but even more so as the raw ingredients of 'daisy chains', Bellis perennis is an amazingly tenacious plant and can be very difficult to eradicate from lawns and golf greens.
Once very common in almost all permanent pastures, Daisies are still among the most abundant of wildflowers wherever fertilisers and weedkillers are not extensively applied to fields, parks and lawns.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月08日
This low-growing sea daisy forms dense patches of colour along cliff tops and beside coastal paths.
Identification
The lush-looking dark green leaves are grey-green and leathery, and they seem at odds with the arid conditions in which the plant flourishes. Its yellow flowers are typically 2 to 4cm across and have long petals with double nitched (three-lobed) tips.
Distribution
This is a mediterranean species whose range extends from the Canaries, Greece to coastal regions of southern Spain and Portugal and southwards into some parts of northern Africa.
Blooming times
Yellow Sea Daisy flowers from March until May in the Algarve.
Identification
The lush-looking dark green leaves are grey-green and leathery, and they seem at odds with the arid conditions in which the plant flourishes. Its yellow flowers are typically 2 to 4cm across and have long petals with double nitched (three-lobed) tips.
Distribution
This is a mediterranean species whose range extends from the Canaries, Greece to coastal regions of southern Spain and Portugal and southwards into some parts of northern Africa.
Blooming times
Yellow Sea Daisy flowers from March until May in the Algarve.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月07日
If hedgerows were not graced with such wonderful springflowers as Primrose, Bluebell, Greater Stitchwort and Red Campion, it would be easier to welcome the blanket of white with which Cow Parsley covers and smothers everything.
Identification
By the calendar alone Cow Parsley is one of the easier umbellifers to identify, because it come before any of the other common members of this 'much of a muchness' family of wildflowers.
Cow Parsley is a tall downy plant growing to a metre or more in height. This wildflower can be either biennial or perennial, spreading rapidly in rich damp soil both by seed and via its rhizomes. The umbrella-shaped flower ubels are typically 3cm to 6cm across, with larger petals near the outer edges of the florets.
The distinctive leaves of this common wildflower (left) are finely divided into many feathery leaflets. The leaf stalks and the hiollow stems often turn a rich purple as the plants age.
Fruits of Cow Parsley are like elongated smooth teardrops; they gradually turn black as they ripen.
Distribution
This member of the Carrot family is very common in Britain, Ireland, and most of northern Europe. In North America, Cow Parsley is an introduced alien and considered to be a nuisance invasive weed.
Habitat
In many parts of western Britain and Ireland Cow Parsley takes over the grassy verges beside hedgerows (as can be seen in the picture below), eventually blanketing out most of the smaller wildflowers.
Blooming Times
Cow Parsley flowers first appear in April and they last through to the end of June.As these tall roadside wildflowers are dying back so several other umbellifers including Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium and Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris are just coming into bloom.
Uses
Hollow stems of Cow Parsley are traditional materials from which children make peashooters. There is a danger, however, that poisonous plants such as Hemlock Conium maculatum or Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum might be used by mistake, with painful and possibly disastrous consequences.
Cow Parsley is said to be edible but rather bitter tasting.
Identification
By the calendar alone Cow Parsley is one of the easier umbellifers to identify, because it come before any of the other common members of this 'much of a muchness' family of wildflowers.
Cow Parsley is a tall downy plant growing to a metre or more in height. This wildflower can be either biennial or perennial, spreading rapidly in rich damp soil both by seed and via its rhizomes. The umbrella-shaped flower ubels are typically 3cm to 6cm across, with larger petals near the outer edges of the florets.
The distinctive leaves of this common wildflower (left) are finely divided into many feathery leaflets. The leaf stalks and the hiollow stems often turn a rich purple as the plants age.
Fruits of Cow Parsley are like elongated smooth teardrops; they gradually turn black as they ripen.
Distribution
This member of the Carrot family is very common in Britain, Ireland, and most of northern Europe. In North America, Cow Parsley is an introduced alien and considered to be a nuisance invasive weed.
Habitat
In many parts of western Britain and Ireland Cow Parsley takes over the grassy verges beside hedgerows (as can be seen in the picture below), eventually blanketing out most of the smaller wildflowers.
Blooming Times
Cow Parsley flowers first appear in April and they last through to the end of June.As these tall roadside wildflowers are dying back so several other umbellifers including Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium and Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris are just coming into bloom.
Uses
Hollow stems of Cow Parsley are traditional materials from which children make peashooters. There is a danger, however, that poisonous plants such as Hemlock Conium maculatum or Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum might be used by mistake, with painful and possibly disastrous consequences.
Cow Parsley is said to be edible but rather bitter tasting.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月07日
Wood Anemones are indicators of ancient woodlands, where they are among the most abundant and attractive of spring wildflowers.
Identification
Anemone nemorosa is a perennial and grows to a height of about 15cm. The leaves, which die back once the plants have flowered and set seeds, are palmately lobed - very much like the leaves of the majority of other members of the Buttercup family, Ranunculaceae.
The size of the flower heads is very variable; on the edge of the wood they can be twice the average size of 2cm diameter when fully open.
Often opening pinkish-mauve colour and gradually turnbrilliant white, the flowers each have six or seven tepals (petals and sepals), but exceptionally they can have up to ten. These flowers,stand out particularly well in springtime, because the main leaves do not appear until after blooming is completed. Wood anemones propagate mainly by means of creeping underground rhizomes.
Distribution
Common and widespread in Britain and Ireland, Wood Anemones are found also throughout most of mainland Europe except for the very dry and sandy southern parts of the Mediterranean region. This gregarious wildflower has also been introduced to many other regions of the world, including North America.
Habitat
These star-like wildflowers line rural hedgerows and carpet the floors of deciduous forests and woods.
Blooming Times
Wood Anemone blooms from March to May
Pollination
Wood Anemones are pollinated by a wide range of insects, but research in Germany has shown hoverflies to be particularly important pollinators of this species.
Uses
Although it has largely fallen out of popular use, in the past Anemone nemorosa was used by herbalists in remedies for a range of ailments from mere headaches through to leprosy!
Identification
Anemone nemorosa is a perennial and grows to a height of about 15cm. The leaves, which die back once the plants have flowered and set seeds, are palmately lobed - very much like the leaves of the majority of other members of the Buttercup family, Ranunculaceae.
The size of the flower heads is very variable; on the edge of the wood they can be twice the average size of 2cm diameter when fully open.
Often opening pinkish-mauve colour and gradually turnbrilliant white, the flowers each have six or seven tepals (petals and sepals), but exceptionally they can have up to ten. These flowers,stand out particularly well in springtime, because the main leaves do not appear until after blooming is completed. Wood anemones propagate mainly by means of creeping underground rhizomes.
Distribution
Common and widespread in Britain and Ireland, Wood Anemones are found also throughout most of mainland Europe except for the very dry and sandy southern parts of the Mediterranean region. This gregarious wildflower has also been introduced to many other regions of the world, including North America.
Habitat
These star-like wildflowers line rural hedgerows and carpet the floors of deciduous forests and woods.
Blooming Times
Wood Anemone blooms from March to May
Pollination
Wood Anemones are pollinated by a wide range of insects, but research in Germany has shown hoverflies to be particularly important pollinators of this species.
Uses
Although it has largely fallen out of popular use, in the past Anemone nemorosa was used by herbalists in remedies for a range of ailments from mere headaches through to leprosy!
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2017年08月07日
Identification
Unlike other daisy-like flowers, plants of the genus Andryala have large 'petals' on all florets and not just those on the periphery flower head. The plant is extremely hairy and has barrel-shaped buds surrounded with a neatly-arranged single row of hairy bracts.
Growing to between 30 and 75cm in height with branching stems covered in dense, soft white down that gives an overall whitish appearance to the plant, Andryala integrifolia has alternate lanceolate hairy leaves that are often corrugated (with wrinkled wavy margins).
The flowers are hermaphrodite (posessing both male and female reproductive organs), and they are a delicate lemon yellow. Flowers are grouped into corymbs (loose clusters) of typically three to nine composite heads, each head being in the range 1.5 to 8cm across, but most commonly between 2.5 and 5cm across.
Distribution
This wildflower is seen throughout the Mediterranean region. Well known in the Iberian Peninsula, where it is both widespread and common, Andryala integrifolia can be found from north Africa as far east as Greece, Sicily and Italy.
Habitat
This lovely wildflower tends to frequent rather sandy or rocky ground, but it can also be found on heaths, in abandoned farmland, and on some stony roadside verges.
Blooming Times
In the Mediterranean region where it is native, Andryala blooms from April to July.
Uses
A toxic latex within this plant contains hydrogen cyanide, and so no parts of Andryala should ever be eaten.
Unlike other daisy-like flowers, plants of the genus Andryala have large 'petals' on all florets and not just those on the periphery flower head. The plant is extremely hairy and has barrel-shaped buds surrounded with a neatly-arranged single row of hairy bracts.
Growing to between 30 and 75cm in height with branching stems covered in dense, soft white down that gives an overall whitish appearance to the plant, Andryala integrifolia has alternate lanceolate hairy leaves that are often corrugated (with wrinkled wavy margins).
The flowers are hermaphrodite (posessing both male and female reproductive organs), and they are a delicate lemon yellow. Flowers are grouped into corymbs (loose clusters) of typically three to nine composite heads, each head being in the range 1.5 to 8cm across, but most commonly between 2.5 and 5cm across.
Distribution
This wildflower is seen throughout the Mediterranean region. Well known in the Iberian Peninsula, where it is both widespread and common, Andryala integrifolia can be found from north Africa as far east as Greece, Sicily and Italy.
Habitat
This lovely wildflower tends to frequent rather sandy or rocky ground, but it can also be found on heaths, in abandoned farmland, and on some stony roadside verges.
Blooming Times
In the Mediterranean region where it is native, Andryala blooms from April to July.
Uses
A toxic latex within this plant contains hydrogen cyanide, and so no parts of Andryala should ever be eaten.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月07日
So waxy and beautifully veined, these delightful little flowers are quite unlike most other members of the Primrose family.
Identification
Once you get to see it at close quarters, this wildflower is quite unmistakable. Flowers are 6 to 10mm across with usually 5 to 7 lilac-pink round petals patterned with longitudinal red veins; they are backed by pointed short sepals. The centres contain a tangled mass of filamentous stamens.
Along the prostrate red-tinged stems are opposite pairs of leaves on shortish stalks; most leaves are roundish but some are shaped like the Ace of Spades.
A single flower grows on a short up-turned slender stalk at the end of each creeping stem, but when in full bloom the flowers of Bog Pimpernel all but obliterate the leaves, so densely are they packed together..
Distribution
In Britain and Ireland this lovely little wildflower is localised in the south and west; it is also found in Ireland where it is also most common on the western side.
Bog Pimpernel is found throughout most of Europe except in the far north and in arid parts of the south. Its range extends eastwards into Asia, but this wildflower is not native to North America.
Habitat
Anagallis tenella generally favours damp and acidic peaty substrates, but it can also be found in alkaline coastal dune slacks. As with all marsh and wetland plants, the enemy of Bog Pimpernel is land drainage.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland Bog Pimpernel produces dense mats of flowers that open fully on sunny days from May right through to September.
Uses
Don't even think of picking these flowers; they are extremely fragile and likely to break as soon as they are touched. Cultivated forms of Bog Pimpernel are available from specialist garden centres and nurseries, and they make wonderful additions to any bog garden or to the waterlogged margin of a small pond.
Identification
Once you get to see it at close quarters, this wildflower is quite unmistakable. Flowers are 6 to 10mm across with usually 5 to 7 lilac-pink round petals patterned with longitudinal red veins; they are backed by pointed short sepals. The centres contain a tangled mass of filamentous stamens.
Along the prostrate red-tinged stems are opposite pairs of leaves on shortish stalks; most leaves are roundish but some are shaped like the Ace of Spades.
A single flower grows on a short up-turned slender stalk at the end of each creeping stem, but when in full bloom the flowers of Bog Pimpernel all but obliterate the leaves, so densely are they packed together..
Distribution
In Britain and Ireland this lovely little wildflower is localised in the south and west; it is also found in Ireland where it is also most common on the western side.
Bog Pimpernel is found throughout most of Europe except in the far north and in arid parts of the south. Its range extends eastwards into Asia, but this wildflower is not native to North America.
Habitat
Anagallis tenella generally favours damp and acidic peaty substrates, but it can also be found in alkaline coastal dune slacks. As with all marsh and wetland plants, the enemy of Bog Pimpernel is land drainage.
Blooming Times
In Britain and Ireland Bog Pimpernel produces dense mats of flowers that open fully on sunny days from May right through to September.
Uses
Don't even think of picking these flowers; they are extremely fragile and likely to break as soon as they are touched. Cultivated forms of Bog Pimpernel are available from specialist garden centres and nurseries, and they make wonderful additions to any bog garden or to the waterlogged margin of a small pond.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月07日
There are several subspecies/varieties of this orchid and so accurate identification can be difficult. The pictures on this page were taken in Crete where both subspecies alibertis and heroica are known to occur in the same habitats of dry meadows and open woodland. They flower at different times, however, with heroica appearing much earlier - from the end of February to the beginning of April. ssp. alibertis blooms for a much shorter time, from the middle of April through to the middle of May.
Description
The Pink Butterfly Orchid plant is variable in size growing to between 15-40cm tall. It has 3-9 basal leaves and a further 2-5 smaller leaves clasping the upper stem. Each stem bears between 5-15 large pink flowers. The sepals and petals form a loose, darkly-veined hood over the broad fan-shaped lip of the flower.The lip is pale pink and has dark pink stripes emanating from the centre. The common name of Butterfly Orchid reflects the showy and colourful form of the flowers.
Distribution
Anacamptis papilionacea is a Mediterranean species with a geographical range extending eastwards to the Caspian Sea, south to North Africa and north to the foothills of the Alps.
Habitat
Limestone habitats are the place to look for this orchid where it grows on scrubland and open grassy places.
Flowering times
This orchid flowers in April and May.
Description
The Pink Butterfly Orchid plant is variable in size growing to between 15-40cm tall. It has 3-9 basal leaves and a further 2-5 smaller leaves clasping the upper stem. Each stem bears between 5-15 large pink flowers. The sepals and petals form a loose, darkly-veined hood over the broad fan-shaped lip of the flower.The lip is pale pink and has dark pink stripes emanating from the centre. The common name of Butterfly Orchid reflects the showy and colourful form of the flowers.
Distribution
Anacamptis papilionacea is a Mediterranean species with a geographical range extending eastwards to the Caspian Sea, south to North Africa and north to the foothills of the Alps.
Habitat
Limestone habitats are the place to look for this orchid where it grows on scrubland and open grassy places.
Flowering times
This orchid flowers in April and May.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月07日
Identification
Marsh Mallow grows up to 1.5 metres in height and its lovely flowers are very pale pink and, at about 4cm diameter, slightly smaller than the flowers of Common Mallow Malva sylvestris. The triangular, downy grey leaves are soft and pleasant to the touch.
Distribution
In Britain, Ireland and other parts of Northern Europe Marsh Mallow blooms from August to September; it is most often found in the coastal areas of the south and west of England and Wales. This plant is also spread throughout much of the western Mediterranean region, and there it flowers from July onwards.
Habitat
The favoured habitats of Marsh Mallow are coastal wetlands and saltmarshes.
Blooming Times
In Britain, Ireland and and other parts of Northern Europe Marsh Mallow blooms in August and September.
Uses
The delightful pink and white marshmallow sweets are probably this wildflower's main claim to fame. The mucilage of the roots is the ingredient contributed by this grey and woolly-looking plant, and to this sugar, egg whites and vanilla are added. Throughout history various parts of this plant have also been used for a range of oyjer purposes including as an aphrodisiac; to make potions to cure aches, pains and hangovers; and as poultices to draw out bee stings and other insect stings.
Marsh Mallow grows up to 1.5 metres in height and its lovely flowers are very pale pink and, at about 4cm diameter, slightly smaller than the flowers of Common Mallow Malva sylvestris. The triangular, downy grey leaves are soft and pleasant to the touch.
Distribution
In Britain, Ireland and other parts of Northern Europe Marsh Mallow blooms from August to September; it is most often found in the coastal areas of the south and west of England and Wales. This plant is also spread throughout much of the western Mediterranean region, and there it flowers from July onwards.
Habitat
The favoured habitats of Marsh Mallow are coastal wetlands and saltmarshes.
Blooming Times
In Britain, Ireland and and other parts of Northern Europe Marsh Mallow blooms in August and September.
Uses
The delightful pink and white marshmallow sweets are probably this wildflower's main claim to fame. The mucilage of the roots is the ingredient contributed by this grey and woolly-looking plant, and to this sugar, egg whites and vanilla are added. Throughout history various parts of this plant have also been used for a range of oyjer purposes including as an aphrodisiac; to make potions to cure aches, pains and hangovers; and as poultices to draw out bee stings and other insect stings.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月07日
Ramsons, or Wild Garlic as it is sometimes (correctly) called, advertises its presence by its very strong odour, especially if stems are crushed.
Identification
Plants of Ramsons typically have two or three leaves up to 4cm wide and 30cm long. Bulbs form from the base of a leaf stalk. Umbels of garlic-scented white flowers produce capsules that contain the seeds, but reproduction is mainly vegetative rather than via the seeds. The flowers, 1.5 to 2cm across, are star-like and have six white tepals (three petals and three sepals), and they have stamens shorter than the perianth. The triangular-section stems and strong garlic-like odour are helpful features distinguishing young Ramsons plants from those of the seriously poisonous Lily-of-the-Valley.
Distribution
Allium ursinum is common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland as well as on mainland central and northern Europe. It is recorded also from parts of Asia.
Habitat
Ramsons carpets woodland floors and roadside verges in damp shady places.
Blooming Times
The first few flowers may appear towards the end of March or in early April, but May and early June are when this striking wildflower is at its best in Britain.
Uses
Ramsons, a relative of the cultivated Leek, is an edible plant and has been used in cooking for hundreds of years. It has a more delicate flavour than the garlic cloves with which we are more familiar. Whether Ramsons deters vampires is uncertain, but Ramsons certainly exists!
Identification
Plants of Ramsons typically have two or three leaves up to 4cm wide and 30cm long. Bulbs form from the base of a leaf stalk. Umbels of garlic-scented white flowers produce capsules that contain the seeds, but reproduction is mainly vegetative rather than via the seeds. The flowers, 1.5 to 2cm across, are star-like and have six white tepals (three petals and three sepals), and they have stamens shorter than the perianth. The triangular-section stems and strong garlic-like odour are helpful features distinguishing young Ramsons plants from those of the seriously poisonous Lily-of-the-Valley.
Distribution
Allium ursinum is common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland as well as on mainland central and northern Europe. It is recorded also from parts of Asia.
Habitat
Ramsons carpets woodland floors and roadside verges in damp shady places.
Blooming Times
The first few flowers may appear towards the end of March or in early April, but May and early June are when this striking wildflower is at its best in Britain.
Uses
Ramsons, a relative of the cultivated Leek, is an edible plant and has been used in cooking for hundreds of years. It has a more delicate flavour than the garlic cloves with which we are more familiar. Whether Ramsons deters vampires is uncertain, but Ramsons certainly exists!
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