Lesser celandine
Lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria. One of the earliest spring flowers. It flowers from March until May, and is sometimes called the “spring messenger”.
Lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria. One of the earliest spring flowers. It flowers from March until May, and is sometimes called the “spring messenger”.
Fallopia japonicaLesser burdoch, Arctium minus. Large and bushy flowers are prickly and pink to lavender. Flowers can easily be mistaken for thistles, but bordoch can be distinguished by its extremely large leaves (up to 50cm) and hooked bracts. After the flower head dries, the hooked bracts attach themselves to clothes and animals in order to transport the entire seed head. WT
Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica. Native to Asia, Japanese knotweed is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species. If you come across it on the walk, leave it well alone as it is easily spread. We are working hard to eradicate it and have reduced its presence by about 95%.
Ivy, Hedera helix. Ivy is a genus of 12 – 15 species. On the ground they rarely gain more than 20cm in height but when climbing can reach 30 metres above the ground. Juvenile leaves have the familiar palm like shape but as the plant matures the leaves become more rounded. Dense ivy is excellent for insects and birds. The fruit […]
Hart’s tongue, Phyllitis scolopendrium. These plants are unusual in being ferns with simple, undivided fronds. The leaf resembles the tongue of a hart, (hart is an old word for deer). It’s often featured on ancient-woodland-indicator plant lists as a species which can help identify old woodlands and ecological continuity. This fern was recommended as a medicinal plant in folk medicine as […]
Giant horsetail, Equisetum Telmateia. A population of giant horsetail, an uncommon species in the borough, is present along a seepage line on the southfacing slope bordering the rear of the properties on Church Crescent. Equisetum is a “living fossil”, as it is the only living genus of the entire class Equisetopsida, which for over one hundred million years was much […]
Green alkanet, Pentaglottis sempervirens. Flowering in early spring but staying through the summer months, it’s a popular plant for bees, Green alkanet has beautiful little bright blue, white throated flowers. Its pointed oval leaves are covered in stiff little hairs which are slightly prickly to the touch. WT. Photo: Stephen Middleton
Gorse, Ulex europaeus. Gorse is closely related to the brooms, and like them, has green stems and very small leaves and is adapted to dry growing conditions. Between the different species, some gorse is almost always in flower, hence the old country phrase: “When gorse is out of blossom, kissing’s out of fashion”. Gorse flowers have a distinctive coconut scent, experienced […]
Goose grass, Galium aparine. This plant has many, many names such as Cleavers, Sticky willie, Stick-a-back or Kisses because of its clingy nature. The hooks on its fruit attach to animals to help disperse its seeds. Popular with foragers for making Cleaver water/juice. Photo: Stephen Middleton WT
Forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica. References go back in German legend to the Creation when the plant asked God to “Forget me not.” It was adopted by Henry IV during his exile and has been a symbol of faithfulness, in particular with lovers, for centuries. Newfoundland still uses the plant to remember Canada’s war dead and it is an interchangeable symbol with Freemasonry. WT