-
Galinsoga quadriradiata – 24th October 2022 – Shaggy Soldier
A daisy from Peru that’s popping up here and there in Scotland, also a close relative that we rarely see here.Continue reading »
-
Koenigia polystachya – 17th October 2022 – Himalayan Knotweed
We went to Ayrshire looking for the Giant Knotweed but what we found instead was a large population of the Himalayan Knotweed.Continue reading »
-
Xanthoria parietina – 10th October 2022 – (Maritime sunburst lichen)
Xanthoria parietina is a common and brightly-coloured lichen found in a wide range of habitats. It is one of the easier lichens to identify.Continue reading »
-
Tripleurospermum maritimum – 3rd October 2022 – Sea Mayweed
A seaside plant with a country cousinContinue reading »
-
Reynoutria japonica – 26th Sept. 2022 – Japanese Knotweed
An alien invasive species that people love to hate. But its remarkable growth rate could be of service to humankind.Continue reading »
-
Lycopus europaeus – 19th Sept. 2022 – Gypsywort or Water Horehound
In view of the nation-wide reduction in wetlands and the trend towards ‘tidy’ water-edges, I thought that this native plant might be on the decline…Continue reading »
-
Chamaenerion angustifolium – 12th Sept. 2022 – Rosebay Willow-herb
"On the breeze my fluff is blown; so my airy seeds are sown. Where the earth is burnt and sad, I will come to make…Continue reading »
-
Buddleja davidii – 5th September 2022 – Butterfly Bush
Is it a welcome contribution to biodiversity, or should we brand it as a ‘noxious weed’ as some other countries have done?Continue reading »
-
Calystegia soldanella – 29th August 2022 – Sea Bindweed
A coastal plant, rather rare in Scotland, with a strange distribution in the world.Continue reading »
-
Sonchus arvensis – 22nd August 2022 – Perennial Sow-thistle
Look for clumps of large golden-yellow flowers by the roadside in July and August, especially if you are near the coast.Continue reading »
-
Cortaderia richardii – 15th August 2022 – Early Pampas Grass
A recently introduced grass from New Zealand, now thriving in Scotland.Continue reading »
-
Arctium minus – 8th August 2022 – Lesser Burdock
Here is a common and very useful native plant which has just started flowering (July). It is highly rated by the website ‘Plants for the…Continue reading »
-
Galeopsis speciosa – 1st August 2022 – Large-flowered Hemp-nettle
This plant has declined sharply in recent decades. Formerly it was a common weed of cornfields.Continue reading »
-
Senecio inaequidens – 25th July 2022 – Narrow-leaved Ragwort
Here is a plant that is rapidly expanding its range, aided (some say) by the Channel Tunnel.Continue reading »
-
Deschampsia cespitosa – 18th July 2022 – Tufted Hair-grass
A beautiful grass, but its leaves can saw through your skin.Continue reading »
-
Armeria maritima – 11th July 2022 – Thrift
A coastal plant capable of growing on toxic waste and perhaps useful in design of ‘green roof systems’.Continue reading »
-
Menyanthes trifoliata – 4th July 2022 -Bogbean
This week's contribution is from the newest member of our group, a student at Edinburgh University.Continue reading »
-
Crassula tillaea – 27th June 2022 – Mossy Stonecrop
Another tiny plant, rare, easily overlooked, and much-trampled upon. It has an unusual distribution.Continue reading »
-
Urban Flora of Scotland Project goes to Aberdeen: join us for a long weekend on 8-11th July
The Urban Flora Project has been running since 2015. The aim is to record the species and their habitats in Scottish towns and cities. We’ve…Continue reading »
-
Saxifraga tridactylites – 20th June 2022 – Rue-leaved Saxifrage
This saxifrage is rapidly extending its range in Ireland and Scotland.Continue reading »
