Alnus glutinosa -5th October- Alder
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Roger West has been looking at our native Alder, a familiar tree of wet places which has served mankind well for many centuries, and which has much to offer for the future.
Ambrosia artemisiifolia – 29th September – Common ragweed
A fast-growing plant recently appeared beneath our peanut feeder. We didn’t recognise it, and in the spirit of botanical inquiry we let it grow rather than putting it on the compost heap.
Polypogon viridis – 21st September – Water Bent Grass
This is said to be one of the fastest spreading plants in the British Isles, yet little is known about its ecology. John Grace found it close to his house, and tells the story.
Adoxa moschatellina – 14 September – Moschatel
This week, Richard Milne writes about finding Adoxa moschatellina (moschatel, aka town hall clock, or five-faced bishop). The clusters of flowers always contain exactly five flowers, which between them have 24 petals. Read the article to learn more.
Arum maculatum and A. italicum – 7th September – Cuckoo Pints
These plants of shady places are self incompatible and rely on female owl-midges carrying pollen between plants for their fertilisation. The midges are attracted to the flowers by heat and smell and a trapping mechanism prevents the flies escaping until pollination has occurred.
Lathraea squamaria – 31st August – Toothwort
The native toothwort remains a rare treasure, and seldom grows in the most accessible places, but when life here gets back to normal I’ll be happy to take people to see it in Humbie.
Botanical Walk – Bennane Head, Ayrshire
This walk is as easy or hard as you want to make it, depending on the detours. You'll see a lot of species, you'll love the coastal scenery.
Cephalaria gigantea – 24th August – Giant Scabious
Roger West discovered a giant near his home. It is an alien that was introduced as a garden plant. It thrives in the wild, given the right conditions, and forms dense stands. Have you seen it?
SOME INSECT/PLANT RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BRAIDS AREA OF EDINBURGH.
Barbara and Mike Richardson have been spending the lockdown observing the relationships between insects and plants. Here they describe insects which are pollinators and ones which feed on plants. Among their observations are species which have only recently arrived in Scotland.
Angelica sylvestris – 17th August – Wild Angelica
Angelica is one of the most beautiful members of the Apiaceae. But take care, the family has many poisonous relatives including Hemlock and Hemlock Water Dropwort.
