Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. The species has evolved to be especially attractive to long-tongued bees such as the common carder bee. The brightly coloured flowers and dark spotted lip attracts the bee, while the lower lip of the flower allows the insect to land before climbing up the tube. In doing so, the bee will drop pollen from other foxgloves. As […]
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
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
Groundsel, Senecio vulgaris, Also known as ‘Old-man-in-the-spring’. The seed heads led to its Latin name, Senecio, derived from the word for ‘old man’ – pull the white, fluffy seeds from the flower head and they leave behind a bare, dotted ‘scalp’.
Herb Robert, Geranium robertianum. One of the commonest wildflowers on Parkland Walk, coping admirably through dry spells and in dry, gravelly or stony ground. Herb robert is a food plant and nectar-source for many invertebrates including bees, hoverflies and the barred carpet moth. It was traditionally used as an antiseptic, as well as to treat stomach upsets and nosebleeds. Its […]
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 […]
Common knapweed, Centaurea nigra. Also known as ‘black knapweed’, Resembles a thistle. It is in bloom from June to September and is a huge favourite of all kinds of butterflies, including common blues, marbled whites and meadow browns.
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
Lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria. One of the earliest spring flowers. It flowers from March until May, and is sometimes called the “spring messenger”.
Mallow, Malva. This plant is one of the earliest cited in recorded literature. Horace mentions it in reference to his own simple diet: “Me pascunt olivae, me cichorea, me malvae” (“As for me, olives, endives, and mallows provide sustenance”). Lord Monboddo describes his translation of an ancient epigram that demonstrates malva was planted upon the graves of the ancients, stemming from […]
