Adoxa moschatellina – 14 September – Moschatel
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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.
Papaver cambricum (Meconopsis cambrica)
by Chris Jeffree: Botanical nomenclature rarely remains static for very long. Most people are probably familiar with the colourful bright yellow or... Read More
SCARCE PLANTS IN TOWNS AND CITIES IN SCOTLAND
By Brian Ballinger Many people with an interest in plants are attracted by the concept of rarity. Native plants are usually regarded... Read More
Heracleum sphondylium ssp. sphondylium – August 3rd – Hogweed
By Roger West This is a member of the family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae, because the flowers of all species are borne in... Read More
