Mountain Flowers – you don’t always need to climb that mountain
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Scottish mountains have a great appeal for many plant lovers because of their special flora. However, Brian Ballinger looks at mountain plants that you can see without climbing a mountain.
Taphrina alni – 16 November – Alder tongue fungus
At this time of year it’s easy to see the cones on the almost-leafless alder trees. This year’s immature greenish-yellow cones are visible alongside last year’s open brown ones. The sight of these cones are likely familiar to many and, as such, it can be easy to walk past the trees without paying too much attention to them - but it is worth stopping next time and having a closer look. You might find a dried, brown, twisted shape emerging from some of those cones. These are clearly not part of the tree - so what are they?
Some Urban Orchids in Scotland
When searching for orchids one does not normally think of looking in towns. Brian Ballinger reports.
Conyza canadensis – 9th November – Canadian Fleabane
Canadian Fleabane is advancing rapidly northwards, often accompanied by three other related species. It is said to be in the top ten of the most invasive species in Europe, and it was one of the first species reported to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosate.
Lactuca virosa – 2nd November – Great Lettuce
John Grace recounts a Great Lettuce experience in the streets of Leith, and finds a much older record.
Claviceps purpurea – 26th October – Ergot, a fungal parasite of wild and cultivated grasses
Maria Chamberlain writes about the history and symptoms of ergotism, and the life cycle and management of the fungus which causes it.
Impatiens glandulifera -19th October- Himalayan balsam
Heather Forbes has chosen one of the most notorious invasive plants for her Plant of the Week. For those of a nervous disposition: beware exploding capsules and do not touch.
The Beauty of Muties part 1: a symphony in white.
Richard Milne likes mutants, and has a huge collection of photographs to share with us.
Tilia spp. – 12th October – Lime or Linden
Roger West has been investigating the Lime tree, native in England and often planted in parks and gardens in Scotland.
FAIR ISLE EYEBRIGHTS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Richard Abbott takes a look at a new paper about Eyebrights on Fair Isle. With DNA sequencing it has been possible to distinguish difficult species from each other, and to investigate their relatedness.
