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Mycelis muralis – 2nd August 2021 – Wall Lettuce
Wall Lettuce is native in England but probably not in Ireland and Scotland. However, it is spreading in the urban environment, although absent in some…Continue reading »
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Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimus – 26th July 2021 – Sea Radish
Welcome to radishes! The Sea Radish is common on the west coast of Britain but very scarce on the east and missing from most of…Continue reading »
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Pseudofumaria lutea – 19th July 2021 – Yellow Corydalis
It came from the Alps long ago, now it thrives on the mortar of walls in many parts of Europe. One of the several decorative…Continue reading »
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Echium vulgare – 12th July 2021 – Viper’s bugloss
This week's Plant of the Week is Echium vulgare, viper's bugloss.Continue reading »
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Plantago maritima and Plantago coronopus – July 5th 2021 Sea plantain and Buck’s-horn plantain)
This week's blog features two different Plantain species. Both of them are salt tolerant, but their distributions are not the same.Continue reading »
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Geum urbanum – June 28th 2021- Wood Avens
They say it's a woodland plant but Linnaeus called it Geum urbanum. It finds plenty of places to grow in the urban environment.Continue reading »
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Oenanthe crocata – June 21st 2021- Hemlock Water-dropwort
This deadly poisonous plant may be expanding its range in the west of the country. It could put a smile on your face.Continue reading »
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Silene uniflora – June 14th 2021- Sea Campion
The maritime version of the familiar campion genus, with snow-white flowers that wave around and thus attract pollinators.Continue reading »
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Mertensia maritima – June 7th 2021- Oyster Plant
This is an iconic species of northern coasts; but it is in decline. We are not sure why but we know in doesn't like warm…Continue reading »
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Saxifrages at Sea Level
Brian Ballinger returns to the topic of saxifrages. Here are five that can be seen near sea level.Continue reading »
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Honckenya peploides – May 31st 2021- Sea Sandwort
This seaside plant may be male, female or hermaphrodite. It's just coming into flower, and if you live near the seaside please take a close…Continue reading »
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Hydnangium carneum – 24th May 2021 – the ‘flesh-pink truffle’
There's always something new to look for. 'Truffles' on a gum tree were an unexpected lock-down garden find.Continue reading »
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Cochlearia officinalis, C. danica – 17th May 2021 – Scurvygrass
Look for these plants if you are heading for the coast, or driving down a motorway. Scurvygrass is an instant cure for scurvy, but there…Continue reading »
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Hyacinthoides non-scripta – 10th May 2021 -Bluebell
This month we feature an iconic native species, bluebell. Richard Milne has unearthed fairy tales, and clarified the differences between species and hybrids.Continue reading »
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Anemone nemorosa – May 3rd 2021 – Wood Anemone
Its leaves aren’t really leaves, and its petals aren’t really petals; and it is the only common British flower to bear a single whitish flower…Continue reading »
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Phaeoceros laevis – 26th April 2021 (Smooth Hornwort)
Hornworts are often overlooked, yet they may hold the key to the evolution of vascular plants. David Chamberlain tells the story of Smooth Hornwort in…Continue reading »
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Calloria neglecta – 19th April 2021
Hundreds of fungi are actively recycling last season's discarded plant material. Here's one. It looks like a squashed tangerine in miniature.Continue reading »
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Allium ursinum – 12th April 2021 – Ramsons
Following on from last week's Plant of the Week, we look at another member of the Allium family: ramsons, Allium ursinum, currently well on its…Continue reading »
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Allium paradoxum – Few-flowered Leek (or Few-flowered Garlic)
Maria Chamberlain recalls seeing this species over 50 years ago when it was quite rare. It has become a common invader of woodlands and gardens.Continue reading »
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Linnaea borealis – 29th March 2021 – Twinflower
This iconic species is still rare, but recent observations suggest it may be on the increase. Do look out for it.Continue reading »
