tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77505153993919640372024-03-14T06:19:49.467+00:00A Botanical Journey mostly from Kent & SE EnglandFilling your senses with the overflowing beauty of wild orchids, yet being amazed by the humblest weed at the same time.
Previous blogs before 01/16 at http://barbus59.tumblr.com
All photos Copyright DWS2016Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-12225316427487424032023-06-07T16:20:00.002+00:002023-06-07T19:29:07.035+00:00A Week in Kent in Mid May 2023<p> It's been a while since I wrote a blog on Kent wild plants, but then I have moved to Cornwall. If you missed the transition, the blog for my Cornwall plants is at <a href="https://sylvatica2022.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">https://sylvatica2022.blogspot.com</a> </p><p>However, I still have family in Kent and I booked a few days on a farm at High Halstow on the Hoo Peninsular whilst I attended to family matters. Whilst there I had the run of the farm I stayed on and also took a trip out to the tidal Thames along paths through the marshes. Add in a few trips to the coast and mid Kent and I found some lovely plants. The following is what I found of interest.</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">One of my trips out was to Littlestone on the South Kent coast where Rosy Garlic had naturalised in several places along the sea wall.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Allium roseum</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRi2DHgbGD71uR094cfHljJWwFrwwEC2z5OhvghsasyBIFqGyEnX-lIvqxEZjkt6k0-mCuURc1svgXGPfHf27DoVaM1-zq1GCR6WJEzJ4SrxgqcIyFzz9uzYIW3xgX59T-lgUj8nQr5xXJmrx31n0-Ez6RlR1dKDRD6sA2wtpAreobhP6el-trL_s/s800/aaa%20Allium%20roseum%20Rosy%20Garlic%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRi2DHgbGD71uR094cfHljJWwFrwwEC2z5OhvghsasyBIFqGyEnX-lIvqxEZjkt6k0-mCuURc1svgXGPfHf27DoVaM1-zq1GCR6WJEzJ4SrxgqcIyFzz9uzYIW3xgX59T-lgUj8nQr5xXJmrx31n0-Ez6RlR1dKDRD6sA2wtpAreobhP6el-trL_s/w400-h300/aaa%20Allium%20roseum%20Rosy%20Garlic%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Rough Dog's Tail Grass coming into flower at Littlestone Warren.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cynosurus echinatus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVvEuaRo5fcrWZ1kaTZ9qsHE1Vu9aT4UUZm0q3R5zF4NBxLAqQKCg1Op7LB_CcbIRnluXbIuC1DcNA9Hry5D_ftxurdx3JlkwAiy1zLFHbnNt2X2S-JixY4dOP2ncFatzy1E24quNVZXlIC611NAJrPpqSfWfYPGThhLA9UNQG3WLBbTuZaCMiN-O/s1067/aaa%20Cynosurus%20echinatus%20Rough%20Dogs%20Tail%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVvEuaRo5fcrWZ1kaTZ9qsHE1Vu9aT4UUZm0q3R5zF4NBxLAqQKCg1Op7LB_CcbIRnluXbIuC1DcNA9Hry5D_ftxurdx3JlkwAiy1zLFHbnNt2X2S-JixY4dOP2ncFatzy1E24quNVZXlIC611NAJrPpqSfWfYPGThhLA9UNQG3WLBbTuZaCMiN-O/w480-h640/aaa%20Cynosurus%20echinatus%20Rough%20Dogs%20Tail%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Sea Sandwort flowering in sandy turf.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Honckenya peploides</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCApj-UFUI0KUZXhJ_j7a8JUDboQBwI-nfs2DvQILLzjKZjF31y_MM03j2trKdDJQJgTRauVM6W2AmRdwaHwDG8lQY1g7hjN0rVEjN8cKgOj7DYc5bNhPnUdggdj27WBq8544jpyEyWNsg2hbiTuFdcBOzCAYEuNAJUSFYtJMuBVdhl7eQ2zp4Xj_Q/s800/aaa%20Honckenya%20peploides%20Sea%20Sandwort%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCApj-UFUI0KUZXhJ_j7a8JUDboQBwI-nfs2DvQILLzjKZjF31y_MM03j2trKdDJQJgTRauVM6W2AmRdwaHwDG8lQY1g7hjN0rVEjN8cKgOj7DYc5bNhPnUdggdj27WBq8544jpyEyWNsg2hbiTuFdcBOzCAYEuNAJUSFYtJMuBVdhl7eQ2zp4Xj_Q/w400-h300/aaa%20Honckenya%20peploides%20Sea%20Sandwort%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">One of the rarer medicks in the short coastal turf was Bur Medick, a very softly hairy small plant with even smaller egg yolk yellow flowers.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Medicago minima</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjlXDUlfVrzBSL6h4yQxY-rzw1FaU6Jy7Jf3cNr8TEPDEq_fENiebZJ4bfay58zH9H8HuJSp1uN48cYTjaoz04KMOtVvTdg44_guf6j-S5BeCAnKryzCGFkyI8ZFa7JA5T8XaX53n0dH9cfOVm9P34yAGJR9dUcvzqGZCl7_3YyaiLxowxNt2sdRJ/s800/aaa%20Medicago%20minima%20Bur%20Medick%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjlXDUlfVrzBSL6h4yQxY-rzw1FaU6Jy7Jf3cNr8TEPDEq_fENiebZJ4bfay58zH9H8HuJSp1uN48cYTjaoz04KMOtVvTdg44_guf6j-S5BeCAnKryzCGFkyI8ZFa7JA5T8XaX53n0dH9cfOVm9P34yAGJR9dUcvzqGZCl7_3YyaiLxowxNt2sdRJ/w400-h300/aaa%20Medicago%20minima%20Bur%20Medick%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Not as easy to spot was Toothed Medick not far away, but easily told apart from Bur Medick in that it's hairless with toothed ends to the leaflets.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Medicago polymorpha</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTaK2Gh-BEkTUwXyduX5MXjH4PDGHxRrxM3c6jmEXfyl2aU-b1nltOqVH4nHqMdIY2VIs-LBwoBSMxu1ca8V1P9_XVCzNjotPcDJlMmjUqk14SeX_GTxKcSNlYZPgcV180HiBObFFsmmE_bSmrrs-FWPc27mxzMzE4iyTQZlKN-4xbljaPEsjXte4/s800/aaa%20Medicago%20polymorpha%20Toothed%20Medick%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTaK2Gh-BEkTUwXyduX5MXjH4PDGHxRrxM3c6jmEXfyl2aU-b1nltOqVH4nHqMdIY2VIs-LBwoBSMxu1ca8V1P9_XVCzNjotPcDJlMmjUqk14SeX_GTxKcSNlYZPgcV180HiBObFFsmmE_bSmrrs-FWPc27mxzMzE4iyTQZlKN-4xbljaPEsjXte4/w400-h300/aaa%20Medicago%20polymorpha%20Toothed%20Medick%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">In 2019, me and my partner found a new colony of Early Spider Orchids, so it was great to see they have persisted here near Littlestone. Of course, this late in the season, most were in seed, but I was lucky to find just one still had a flower to show me.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ophrys sphegodes</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75n2u6YJ3eq4CVdM2t5cEC6_BtRG9TBvdHzap7bJRy2nC4HwLMOKr2ix3lMF2HnqsZC6Q5HDiavf5pKUapp8pbeWhMpsVdRYRP4pYsk4IGmMOxbHovYRO0dSOu1aco9AXMXzxCWvzZ2fY8J7--pjqJ4pG6JPU-mQCcuwW_eYwILwxXYUD4gULKDTB/s1067/aaa%20Ophrys%20sphegodes%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75n2u6YJ3eq4CVdM2t5cEC6_BtRG9TBvdHzap7bJRy2nC4HwLMOKr2ix3lMF2HnqsZC6Q5HDiavf5pKUapp8pbeWhMpsVdRYRP4pYsk4IGmMOxbHovYRO0dSOu1aco9AXMXzxCWvzZ2fY8J7--pjqJ4pG6JPU-mQCcuwW_eYwILwxXYUD4gULKDTB/w480-h640/aaa%20Ophrys%20sphegodes%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The short sandy nutrient poor turf and frequent droughts here, mean that vigorous plants do not thrive, hence you will find lots of smaller plants and grasses that would otherwise be crowded out by more competitive plants. Below is Sand Cat's Tail, a miniature version of Timothy Grass.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Phleum arenarium</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0Lzlhaf_ZC5ZpeGKFiIQuxToD2M8ZHCUftjcC-B2sAn0Io93X9XNgUSfxBiQEDL0LIki0kNvrGuFRe4Gs2ZZLhdekJugMc1N05oExPqBNtARNDmmLGzjCYai9tRTSzANECdLJHdS7PqIeR1f8MpA8PDts71xqztKGBIEsezchISM925VWKxO5_g2/s800/aaa%20Phleum%20arenarium%20Sand%20Cats%20Tail%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0Lzlhaf_ZC5ZpeGKFiIQuxToD2M8ZHCUftjcC-B2sAn0Io93X9XNgUSfxBiQEDL0LIki0kNvrGuFRe4Gs2ZZLhdekJugMc1N05oExPqBNtARNDmmLGzjCYai9tRTSzANECdLJHdS7PqIeR1f8MpA8PDts71xqztKGBIEsezchISM925VWKxO5_g2/w400-h300/aaa%20Phleum%20arenarium%20Sand%20Cats%20Tail%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The more unusual clovers also do well here near Littlestone. Below is Clustered Clover with quite small heads of clustered flowers that give it its name.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium glomeratum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCFtCPCYqahbthNoKLC0bNkZVsYIbL4tTsTJvavseHzbEvKtvTQOvPC_oOcReACpb9NJHfeyGNsABPAtkp6HAASSo2HLolxODyQ9vErvnFu9jk4mCUtvql8ix2FrGZLjrZzKmJzdEZBXeVx0HEFn0IkRe5EUGUqoWk6QIlGm8lKvH45swLSOv4dBx/s800/aaa%20Trifolium%20glomeratum%20Clustered%20Clover%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCFtCPCYqahbthNoKLC0bNkZVsYIbL4tTsTJvavseHzbEvKtvTQOvPC_oOcReACpb9NJHfeyGNsABPAtkp6HAASSo2HLolxODyQ9vErvnFu9jk4mCUtvql8ix2FrGZLjrZzKmJzdEZBXeVx0HEFn0IkRe5EUGUqoWk6QIlGm8lKvH45swLSOv4dBx/w400-h300/aaa%20Trifolium%20glomeratum%20Clustered%20Clover%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0EnpaL_ouXVcVr_zv2-IqdYY61WGnhA2abUHCtM6sjL9Yop4SsWGC18OvV_nHbqmIbjcir0o6557ezA0Sc3wPZktWvNyverimFNKWYZx_hzMmOCMXXcL7w3-lMBW1pTl2x3MNjb3XMOmGZS--pez7JWRiYCL-kqk52TBgEhjKiayw2arBWRMrnCn/s800/aaa%20Trifolium%20glomeratum%20Clustered%20Clover%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0EnpaL_ouXVcVr_zv2-IqdYY61WGnhA2abUHCtM6sjL9Yop4SsWGC18OvV_nHbqmIbjcir0o6557ezA0Sc3wPZktWvNyverimFNKWYZx_hzMmOCMXXcL7w3-lMBW1pTl2x3MNjb3XMOmGZS--pez7JWRiYCL-kqk52TBgEhjKiayw2arBWRMrnCn/w400-h300/aaa%20Trifolium%20glomeratum%20Clustered%20Clover%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Birdsfoot Clover was another I found in their thousands (but at High Halstow Marshes).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium ornithopodioides</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhPDY3u4mXllaOhGRVTOHRZCgFdWGy722rC-RyVm3QtB1kMDLrQuQFTheejASbQDu6o3kMh6ewFJSSuJJ4To1X9BadVU8viG1tToS5P834i96VoBJuFIdcDiAPXyq1H2vpgikdlcpCpT6_1kc2XjJKke4Cz_vJfqmiYwndN9r8HBDkhO7-kjhz3yD/s800/aaa%20Trifolium%20ornithopodioides%20Birdsfoot%20Clover%20TQ786778%20The%20Mean%20230523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhPDY3u4mXllaOhGRVTOHRZCgFdWGy722rC-RyVm3QtB1kMDLrQuQFTheejASbQDu6o3kMh6ewFJSSuJJ4To1X9BadVU8viG1tToS5P834i96VoBJuFIdcDiAPXyq1H2vpgikdlcpCpT6_1kc2XjJKke4Cz_vJfqmiYwndN9r8HBDkhO7-kjhz3yD/w400-h300/aaa%20Trifolium%20ornithopodioides%20Birdsfoot%20Clover%20TQ786778%20The%20Mean%20230523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyddvQF5eWnNSWDFaPz3WLOc3GAmnhmjGsEY-OhH6UtYBTaXBArhYYuoJSfhR-X8LJKC5Tq-mx5-W6Pf5QjahCz1aRNpCHoZcZyuTjy44i4d2aohzOMAz77XaQShxMDjWkoT0M5jsIPCCG--ZI7bh9zl4qgS19bMQXIanLAuRHdz2hFYiqEVvuh21/s800/aaa%20Trifolium%20ornithopodioides%20Birdsfoot%20Clover%20TQ786778%20The%20Mean%20230523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyddvQF5eWnNSWDFaPz3WLOc3GAmnhmjGsEY-OhH6UtYBTaXBArhYYuoJSfhR-X8LJKC5Tq-mx5-W6Pf5QjahCz1aRNpCHoZcZyuTjy44i4d2aohzOMAz77XaQShxMDjWkoT0M5jsIPCCG--ZI7bh9zl4qgS19bMQXIanLAuRHdz2hFYiqEVvuh21/w400-h300/aaa%20Trifolium%20ornithopodioides%20Birdsfoot%20Clover%20TQ786778%20The%20Mean%20230523a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">My final clover of interest was Rough Clover.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium scabrum</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvVGDe5tAlajJnU635ho8_Z3pf6NOioAwRwmhjX8zFDUfQkjoB2AsMqRZCiWP66rVj4C4pSyqzgGypdQg1lAcMZDwK_RcreWgdp9yBZgstAkRdHLmVa4t_oWJYCzzV_AV46ywwuQff49LH8q8LYAh-X6saatOP4wDW4Nv9DcgnJKMd023RW9YS6XO/s800/aaa%20Trifolium%20scabrum%20Rough%20Clover%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvVGDe5tAlajJnU635ho8_Z3pf6NOioAwRwmhjX8zFDUfQkjoB2AsMqRZCiWP66rVj4C4pSyqzgGypdQg1lAcMZDwK_RcreWgdp9yBZgstAkRdHLmVa4t_oWJYCzzV_AV46ywwuQff49LH8q8LYAh-X6saatOP4wDW4Nv9DcgnJKMd023RW9YS6XO/w400-h300/aaa%20Trifolium%20scabrum%20Rough%20Clover%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CRNSnA6cK0a3M0_k6YBTBwvNy6FMGD0sJfv3N2hqdvBFp5HLSxjkCSpumVRKZEfExNva_Q5GMcZ5VXqo0OuxrilZz6FRkuF2mdsYTkrUxdfo22persaq0-1dB3tfobZKN8n-IR9ZxWcuknJ-dCShN3nQjGgBenO4KXxJY7uaWhQqmHOXKSnIqr0b/s800/aaa%20Trifolium%20scabrum%20Rough%20Clover%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CRNSnA6cK0a3M0_k6YBTBwvNy6FMGD0sJfv3N2hqdvBFp5HLSxjkCSpumVRKZEfExNva_Q5GMcZ5VXqo0OuxrilZz6FRkuF2mdsYTkrUxdfo22persaq0-1dB3tfobZKN8n-IR9ZxWcuknJ-dCShN3nQjGgBenO4KXxJY7uaWhQqmHOXKSnIqr0b/w400-h300/aaa%20Trifolium%20scabrum%20Rough%20Clover%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Below is Harestail Grass. This is soft like cotton wool to the touch.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lagurus ovatus</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWKzG5pyJ72MlbeI6b-roet92hz0nnmi40ExDetTh1TUg5Zc48hMIl0xx9cCQJeGvIaxd02eKmiFXLm0M0aSvfw1aQNA7XkPxrDCrWMRg-TcfJ5aXbsMJnz2HOcouk1WMM6lXvJKWUpKjmCWlUGWyIuRTx9DnjSWHXNOc9gjTRi5ZKi20cNCSpWLL/s1067/aaa%20Lagurus%20ovatus%20Hares%20Tail%20Grass%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWKzG5pyJ72MlbeI6b-roet92hz0nnmi40ExDetTh1TUg5Zc48hMIl0xx9cCQJeGvIaxd02eKmiFXLm0M0aSvfw1aQNA7XkPxrDCrWMRg-TcfJ5aXbsMJnz2HOcouk1WMM6lXvJKWUpKjmCWlUGWyIuRTx9DnjSWHXNOc9gjTRi5ZKi20cNCSpWLL/w480-h640/aaa%20Lagurus%20ovatus%20Hares%20Tail%20Grass%20TR0826%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">My final plant from here was found by looking over a fence onto a golf course. On a path there I saw the unmistakable red of mature Mossy Stonecrop, still an uncommon find in East Kent.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Crassula tillaea</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-a1f7MtrmdRCwkG0cgcNZnTKvCDoc0u_gr51To9-YceTX6QzGzLg7xaiOr17h35JhjBqsZju3uibZzwNVESI4V6D_62uh75S3ek9UzcgKEck6dKWzKlEaa4gBIo6J-zwNahHmS5hA2YJw0gldmf4c4WZ69DW01suKTk-rtOijF9iPE7NkAr9UM9H/s800/aaa%20Crassula%20tillaea%20Mossy%20Stonecrop%20TR086262%20Golf%20Course%20Track%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-a1f7MtrmdRCwkG0cgcNZnTKvCDoc0u_gr51To9-YceTX6QzGzLg7xaiOr17h35JhjBqsZju3uibZzwNVESI4V6D_62uh75S3ek9UzcgKEck6dKWzKlEaa4gBIo6J-zwNahHmS5hA2YJw0gldmf4c4WZ69DW01suKTk-rtOijF9iPE7NkAr9UM9H/w400-h300/aaa%20Crassula%20tillaea%20Mossy%20Stonecrop%20TR086262%20Golf%20Course%20Track%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW3hbNP8yvGGN0rAnkiaKGM_9AVWkDGyUgI70eDGxA1aCKfYtBr4ZkOKg7hpwqHFFv5rGG5WYikzBFMswW-gsazbcihiV9zZYXe5LI4lkmAOFisRb4NbINnV2rKNBATj07vZlR6HDGjDPEYP9HL-bN7RgLAbpWX5df30k8zzZsk8aCSAHOtkal-Bj/s1067/aaa%20Crassula%20tillaea%20Mossy%20Stonecrop%20TR086262%20Golf%20Course%20Track%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW3hbNP8yvGGN0rAnkiaKGM_9AVWkDGyUgI70eDGxA1aCKfYtBr4ZkOKg7hpwqHFFv5rGG5WYikzBFMswW-gsazbcihiV9zZYXe5LI4lkmAOFisRb4NbINnV2rKNBATj07vZlR6HDGjDPEYP9HL-bN7RgLAbpWX5df30k8zzZsk8aCSAHOtkal-Bj/w480-h640/aaa%20Crassula%20tillaea%20Mossy%20Stonecrop%20TR086262%20Golf%20Course%20Track%20St%20Marys%20Bay%20270523a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Other places I visited were closer to Medway. I stopped off at a road verge near Tyland Barn, Maidstone and also verges of the A249 for the following plants.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> The very yellow flowers of Crosswort</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cruciata laevipes</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRa2DUTm69PXrcoEj_HSHBhH_1wb-UjRYxhpQjwUMt0H74Hx9hxv7Kn2M1OwOQdwjkOSJIIeNgge5X3kp0XiXQl05DY5t2ao-e_h-SrzHyJZpyH10bdTeV5Wb4COCJKc7UtfeNtok0jBYGA46j0Wz8vB4nbTL1Fv60SzofykVrLF2lVvwVpVTcrzr/s800/aaa%20Cruciata%20laevipes%20Crosswort%20TQ751596%20A229%20RNR%20240523b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRa2DUTm69PXrcoEj_HSHBhH_1wb-UjRYxhpQjwUMt0H74Hx9hxv7Kn2M1OwOQdwjkOSJIIeNgge5X3kp0XiXQl05DY5t2ao-e_h-SrzHyJZpyH10bdTeV5Wb4COCJKc7UtfeNtok0jBYGA46j0Wz8vB4nbTL1Fv60SzofykVrLF2lVvwVpVTcrzr/w400-h300/aaa%20Cruciata%20laevipes%20Crosswort%20TQ751596%20A229%20RNR%20240523b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I found some Houndstongue growing in disturbed soil from roadworks.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cynoglossum officinale</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSvmN91ME10o0iKdFwBqba2vGqIfaG4Fw5gq-YVMT9ycH15XF8mw9pE2XZ4mFjVMMXtQAqlEUcLIq9_JEo8suLh7aGCM426cBntHzOQWOArQpnO-TZsn6BjIgvsSzZt2Y4Z5OAbbLNYUdqrvuL00aBNdXVROmtgaxdOI1Z7YxD1k6u1EBXr7OJCwl/s1067/aaa%20Cynoglossum%20officinale%20Houndstongue%20TQ845611%20Church%20Hill%20230523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSvmN91ME10o0iKdFwBqba2vGqIfaG4Fw5gq-YVMT9ycH15XF8mw9pE2XZ4mFjVMMXtQAqlEUcLIq9_JEo8suLh7aGCM426cBntHzOQWOArQpnO-TZsn6BjIgvsSzZt2Y4Z5OAbbLNYUdqrvuL00aBNdXVROmtgaxdOI1Z7YxD1k6u1EBXr7OJCwl/w480-h640/aaa%20Cynoglossum%20officinale%20Houndstongue%20TQ845611%20Church%20Hill%20230523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFB8GV07C-3kK3xck9tFAHVYCR-Uf6NMCjhg64CJxmV2g7IQcz3HotpS0YDEAnm_xBTtfHtEBG4N16zoOCVvHRGnRJ7Rr8Pcoq_1Dy97y1jiVgKvGIMPAnJ-rcDMXUC0yB7eeVyG0yEX5d1EHEc_6aWyJD3zmkuWm3_1EDamO7UCJZ1xqq3mLESOQ/s800/aaa%20Cynoglossum%20officinale%20Houndstongue%20TQ845611%20Church%20Hill%20230523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFB8GV07C-3kK3xck9tFAHVYCR-Uf6NMCjhg64CJxmV2g7IQcz3HotpS0YDEAnm_xBTtfHtEBG4N16zoOCVvHRGnRJ7Rr8Pcoq_1Dy97y1jiVgKvGIMPAnJ-rcDMXUC0yB7eeVyG0yEX5d1EHEc_6aWyJD3zmkuWm3_1EDamO7UCJZ1xqq3mLESOQ/w400-h300/aaa%20Cynoglossum%20officinale%20Houndstongue%20TQ845611%20Church%20Hill%20230523a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The first of the Common Spotted Orchids coming into flower on a road verge.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgutxvNs64L6kx7yo1O6h6I2X8WScPVAOK04fse10z175YON1rYAwTCDawkYGWNLBxUgy-Cyl7Eami1LFAciiM60vqGRqo2jRBoIrNf9134A_eZ041FptNvOnkmIttHptuHAuuxaF5XEb0mOlNw-HznjJ-jlqwtjfUJImnkLlZ87dUCvLDhSeLzlQ/s1067/aaa%20Dactylorhiza%20fuchsii%20TQ751596%20A229%20RNR%20240523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgutxvNs64L6kx7yo1O6h6I2X8WScPVAOK04fse10z175YON1rYAwTCDawkYGWNLBxUgy-Cyl7Eami1LFAciiM60vqGRqo2jRBoIrNf9134A_eZ041FptNvOnkmIttHptuHAuuxaF5XEb0mOlNw-HznjJ-jlqwtjfUJImnkLlZ87dUCvLDhSeLzlQ/w480-h640/aaa%20Dactylorhiza%20fuchsii%20TQ751596%20A229%20RNR%20240523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Horseshoe Vetch from the same area.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Hippocrepis comosa</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3dKhZ8bsdWk7NuW_PnykZDtk3A6ocraGlNLfHjY6a3rvqXlxhyU5YU87sBuic5wBLgWmgRdnti0VA7sJAPoVIplMY8KvyUEPNgbTACSB9Ft7rKI7x_DXnhbiRqmefvFN2mPW03FggLJRu48QOZI0DuqXSqY2KRtPltEUOjcsAIeiWdajGyv9RO8j/s800/aaa%20Hippocrepis%20comosa%20Horseshoe%20Vetch%20TQ751596%20A229%20RNR%20240523b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3dKhZ8bsdWk7NuW_PnykZDtk3A6ocraGlNLfHjY6a3rvqXlxhyU5YU87sBuic5wBLgWmgRdnti0VA7sJAPoVIplMY8KvyUEPNgbTACSB9Ft7rKI7x_DXnhbiRqmefvFN2mPW03FggLJRu48QOZI0DuqXSqY2KRtPltEUOjcsAIeiWdajGyv9RO8j/w400-h300/aaa%20Hippocrepis%20comosa%20Horseshoe%20Vetch%20TQ751596%20A229%20RNR%20240523b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">One of the last Yellow Archangels in flower from the Spring. Unlike Cornwall, they are mostly of the native form here without marked leaves.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp montanum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR4Y_2KWYttFukePWnsshGfxe6ed-VbAk8IvMeseuXtOdtTpPnMovbtJSPF0Ud0cELNfCO1_0NAlLOXtqZ8Z8WWQRMZkJTvGCxJi0ZZZfp2dwhLl19pMMKhGQpJyaJzliDSchTZaTFGB-ExgLcUtxok1EZOTYj3qDK3r0qsehg7ro01ZAkQAR-Ufw/s800/aaa%20Lamiastrum%20galeobdolon%20ssp%20montanum%20Yellow%20Archangel%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR4Y_2KWYttFukePWnsshGfxe6ed-VbAk8IvMeseuXtOdtTpPnMovbtJSPF0Ud0cELNfCO1_0NAlLOXtqZ8Z8WWQRMZkJTvGCxJi0ZZZfp2dwhLl19pMMKhGQpJyaJzliDSchTZaTFGB-ExgLcUtxok1EZOTYj3qDK3r0qsehg7ro01ZAkQAR-Ufw/w400-h300/aaa%20Lamiastrum%20galeobdolon%20ssp%20montanum%20Yellow%20Archangel%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Some very lucky Man Orchids on the road verge of the A249 given that a few hundred had been destroyed by roadworks. Hopefully the few remaining will be able to repopulate the completed road verges soon.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Orchis anthropophora</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pRvBhINyzhGCMol4FM6FFjBNajOx-C5l-n8krPoYPtgEykkD-FXfMwBbpAuS7_bLDP67fecDIAq_HITUhrr2lZSUjJl6ItX8KmHRmMWh6FUUly77SOubPgfxitmGtmvTV8Nr6-InsW3zVrfBrC8j7R9Nc5DQCSlZfxfxJ4Hu2wJCPjHZ1OTGzjS8/s1067/aaa%20Orchis%20anthropophora%20TQ84586123%20Church%20Hill%20230523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pRvBhINyzhGCMol4FM6FFjBNajOx-C5l-n8krPoYPtgEykkD-FXfMwBbpAuS7_bLDP67fecDIAq_HITUhrr2lZSUjJl6ItX8KmHRmMWh6FUUly77SOubPgfxitmGtmvTV8Nr6-InsW3zVrfBrC8j7R9Nc5DQCSlZfxfxJ4Hu2wJCPjHZ1OTGzjS8/w480-h640/aaa%20Orchis%20anthropophora%20TQ84586123%20Church%20Hill%20230523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3FbTGdbvWbrB-p54ZYeEnGl_IL3Wu7u0w9smye5AY6cIFPJLXUY0o8nnypG6VqWhhUwiOYSa3ENykGPKzNEQkAfSLrIYcOwpq8RTZ_e4LRLWMyfYsrag6w0AhTpRor40jIGLkpSfzxCaXmQE4ZAANhxUeALG5m7TCQZWj5_-pjAFFreZPufkFY9w/s1067/aaa%20Orchis%20anthropophora%20TQ84586123%20Church%20Hill%20230523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3FbTGdbvWbrB-p54ZYeEnGl_IL3Wu7u0w9smye5AY6cIFPJLXUY0o8nnypG6VqWhhUwiOYSa3ENykGPKzNEQkAfSLrIYcOwpq8RTZ_e4LRLWMyfYsrag6w0AhTpRor40jIGLkpSfzxCaXmQE4ZAANhxUeALG5m7TCQZWj5_-pjAFFreZPufkFY9w/w480-h640/aaa%20Orchis%20anthropophora%20TQ84586123%20Church%20Hill%20230523a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Of course, it would be remiss to feature only the Man Orchids, so here's some Lady Orchids too from a nearby nature reserve.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Orchis purpurea</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_28zb-1dVHteGGXs786DfyWTNFxq2Jo5_jLy4K-wShkDro9_J3caV134xmas6yuG6qKESm9AyR5hX99nsCKS-hMDOxd8erwAGpMf9dromWJW-6l9ctwn6bqvfjmGGGSGmvYZcijU1dLpTewUnb2_l1rV9TFqH46jI40-DPYLN36seAElKWYlCAsAm/s1067/aaa%20Orchis%20purpurea%20TQ836608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_28zb-1dVHteGGXs786DfyWTNFxq2Jo5_jLy4K-wShkDro9_J3caV134xmas6yuG6qKESm9AyR5hX99nsCKS-hMDOxd8erwAGpMf9dromWJW-6l9ctwn6bqvfjmGGGSGmvYZcijU1dLpTewUnb2_l1rV9TFqH46jI40-DPYLN36seAElKWYlCAsAm/w480-h640/aaa%20Orchis%20purpurea%20TQ836608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rhdTXkAdCZdZXiEmy44LQJ3-Ust0QcF3bPHtsiwzQc49BmRlOwyrPlSxqYUa2Ht3Q4gCPBdYx5FGI5DaxCpSxGTJiJ-egVvAnDCZq6u88qR4qpJkW-30nhzb4z-fwqa_uQeZVDEmhvh85SXxNk_9UPq5GQBBaYOBDrv4t9t1amTwJfds5dZtq4se/s800/aaa%20Orchis%20purpurea%20TQ836608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rhdTXkAdCZdZXiEmy44LQJ3-Ust0QcF3bPHtsiwzQc49BmRlOwyrPlSxqYUa2Ht3Q4gCPBdYx5FGI5DaxCpSxGTJiJ-egVvAnDCZq6u88qR4qpJkW-30nhzb4z-fwqa_uQeZVDEmhvh85SXxNk_9UPq5GQBBaYOBDrv4t9t1amTwJfds5dZtq4se/w400-h300/aaa%20Orchis%20purpurea%20TQ836608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Yk6wNjrCXGOUIVOxD2YmAYDVmZR2yH6QYmaCu9ArkTzPj2oghoGrZLTqojqioQzos5KHgautxj7_ZljQ3TBmpsbEbEkjGEf_I1pFdHHl0gGotoCtL1iuasr85WQEdyg2R0XJKsKYb8noI5RXBs_lgRZOp5AphqABariP1hxNOCdMBBv_Z-AE0yF6/s1067/aaa%20Orchis%20purpurea%20TQ836608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Yk6wNjrCXGOUIVOxD2YmAYDVmZR2yH6QYmaCu9ArkTzPj2oghoGrZLTqojqioQzos5KHgautxj7_ZljQ3TBmpsbEbEkjGEf_I1pFdHHl0gGotoCtL1iuasr85WQEdyg2R0XJKsKYb8noI5RXBs_lgRZOp5AphqABariP1hxNOCdMBBv_Z-AE0yF6/w480-h640/aaa%20Orchis%20purpurea%20TQ836608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523d.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Fly Orchids were nearby, but not abundant.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ophrys insectifera</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharSEseSK01dW2YiynyZSxzHSfilTHAmqfjGLODtA4TVxhGe8ZTWCSfaE1csnUKNuUE3k59VOFUFlyzF1w0mCYrI07tNryQp51pWFHEpExmp-8xDaClV1hh1PIwmA5l34ceQ8FPHieVIcpg7-HjDMd-QhgoqTP_3EXchhfvvRjnn5CE03nhg4ZKFQd/s1067/aaa%20Ophrys%20insectifera%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharSEseSK01dW2YiynyZSxzHSfilTHAmqfjGLODtA4TVxhGe8ZTWCSfaE1csnUKNuUE3k59VOFUFlyzF1w0mCYrI07tNryQp51pWFHEpExmp-8xDaClV1hh1PIwmA5l34ceQ8FPHieVIcpg7-HjDMd-QhgoqTP_3EXchhfvvRjnn5CE03nhg4ZKFQd/w480-h640/aaa%20Ophrys%20insectifera%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fhhxE_lRmF1nq4aSUBVasZZE32pB41PbRMwK2xLtnLDLGfl2kPOGFPhnyrJZ7Lq9Vs3GfENnT6fNPLUwWkSiHPMPMSUgUav3EseJM1_V4I51hyf0wlK9ynOls1pdC2zumqoBGFDt1OSBps-QrL0uzW3mgoi1GY9sjG2cx3jwdij0Tu-nWqGgmK8f/s1067/aaa%20Ophrys%20insectifera%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fhhxE_lRmF1nq4aSUBVasZZE32pB41PbRMwK2xLtnLDLGfl2kPOGFPhnyrJZ7Lq9Vs3GfENnT6fNPLUwWkSiHPMPMSUgUav3EseJM1_V4I51hyf0wlK9ynOls1pdC2zumqoBGFDt1OSBps-QrL0uzW3mgoi1GY9sjG2cx3jwdij0Tu-nWqGgmK8f/w480-h640/aaa%20Ophrys%20insectifera%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">And a solitary Lesser Butterfly Orchid at the same site, quite rare in Kent.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Platanthera bifolia</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpZOjCfRVVekE4bIfo3u5n8NTyz8hh_66mGEvAt7aXprZXHtYB4_Eu8JBrRnzBiaHPgvExNqE5M3A_qbPSXOMYSKdI0j9BgTt8jUagKdgok-a8NxFa-qI93vLCKb3nbCbIQNC7zehnUeh4gUxefzEFdYFrxjTey_Om13YaO70bu9Cd4OfD8kuFV67/s800/aaa%20Platanthera%20bifolia%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpZOjCfRVVekE4bIfo3u5n8NTyz8hh_66mGEvAt7aXprZXHtYB4_Eu8JBrRnzBiaHPgvExNqE5M3A_qbPSXOMYSKdI0j9BgTt8jUagKdgok-a8NxFa-qI93vLCKb3nbCbIQNC7zehnUeh4gUxefzEFdYFrxjTey_Om13YaO70bu9Cd4OfD8kuFV67/w400-h300/aaa%20Platanthera%20bifolia%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgwFmTFABs-KPTj27lOW5b-NR4HuHfvXQA_GOBh2iEJaPwlohKv9_Ez5bc9dUxbzyT6s2LMplEBHzampf5N0gC2FDFt7M-4UYgKKy2__vcFyPlPij004cQTlKFwt6PvRKTSqT5LoSKlSj2iUMcQbcPOt6FmLkCunCneo2AN-4FrcpPih4w2kqqtpL/s800/aaa%20Platanthera%20bifolia%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgwFmTFABs-KPTj27lOW5b-NR4HuHfvXQA_GOBh2iEJaPwlohKv9_Ez5bc9dUxbzyT6s2LMplEBHzampf5N0gC2FDFt7M-4UYgKKy2__vcFyPlPij004cQTlKFwt6PvRKTSqT5LoSKlSj2iUMcQbcPOt6FmLkCunCneo2AN-4FrcpPih4w2kqqtpL/w400-h300/aaa%20Platanthera%20bifolia%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMl5lc3N_lRxpm70qnmmzgW2pD4BiU5DM-0gpQzh_-m_dHOC7e4vJfojziO6Ro7pDa1-C_oVbFhS0sq7hJg5A6TszHBfQkV2EsXwYNt7riyyBSQGz-dtwlK8CZ33KKMs8ZcpYRR5xtwYSQ55HdDR8Bjp_JDu0sc7Sg5wWYz4QFIsI9udpBE9b97Y3/s800/aaa%20Platanthera%20bifolia%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMl5lc3N_lRxpm70qnmmzgW2pD4BiU5DM-0gpQzh_-m_dHOC7e4vJfojziO6Ro7pDa1-C_oVbFhS0sq7hJg5A6TszHBfQkV2EsXwYNt7riyyBSQGz-dtwlK8CZ33KKMs8ZcpYRR5xtwYSQ55HdDR8Bjp_JDu0sc7Sg5wWYz4QFIsI9udpBE9b97Y3/w400-h300/aaa%20Platanthera%20bifolia%20TQ837608%20Steps%20Hill%20Wood%20230523c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Lesser Twayblades and Early Purple Orchids were also flowering still here.</p><p style="text-align: center;">That was it for other venues, and the remaining few photos are from High Halstow Marshes area.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Lesser Swinecress in arable field edges.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lepidium didymum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9R9w0m1wxpwV5TRBIb4cFsFO9n1ocuxIdbzXcS4wERPEUiFeIPWqme_QYirX1tEuG3MKsyFznuQ552snfe7-aX0wsCJa2ZH9dYpK_KT9fVrIk2gKD3ILeAJbHbYDyhIM6j6t7OBT_iIvvn_aD3geHt9mA9GpzaMDBFAWkhXutawUzmSnUqelJcgY/s946/aaa%20Lepidium%20didymum%20Lesser%20Swine-cress%20TQ7876%20Decoy%20Farm%20210523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9R9w0m1wxpwV5TRBIb4cFsFO9n1ocuxIdbzXcS4wERPEUiFeIPWqme_QYirX1tEuG3MKsyFznuQ552snfe7-aX0wsCJa2ZH9dYpK_KT9fVrIk2gKD3ILeAJbHbYDyhIM6j6t7OBT_iIvvn_aD3geHt9mA9GpzaMDBFAWkhXutawUzmSnUqelJcgY/w339-h400/aaa%20Lepidium%20didymum%20Lesser%20Swine-cress%20TQ7876%20Decoy%20Farm%20210523a.jpg" width="339" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">White Bryony, absent in Cornwall, but common here in Kent.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Bryonia dioica</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNW8BScXGPDSanGZA2fkzNDuI04C_5sDvTJfecUP5JW-P36aKqAT-A55soBopzgSRCaa-iNfsj5Nd8M8FGOI7C5SSrjuTorgZ3Z3je5nAvGng3x3InXBfNuHFCjyu81R3jD_weA2vYrz-TfDG60kyCpvPWAOIdxZhSZuwAwytqmAJEHblYevDfbSN/s1067/aaa%20Bryonia%20dioica%20White%20Bryony%20TQ786778%20The%20Mean%20230523a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNW8BScXGPDSanGZA2fkzNDuI04C_5sDvTJfecUP5JW-P36aKqAT-A55soBopzgSRCaa-iNfsj5Nd8M8FGOI7C5SSrjuTorgZ3Z3je5nAvGng3x3InXBfNuHFCjyu81R3jD_weA2vYrz-TfDG60kyCpvPWAOIdxZhSZuwAwytqmAJEHblYevDfbSN/w480-h640/aaa%20Bryonia%20dioica%20White%20Bryony%20TQ786778%20The%20Mean%20230523a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Some Common Spike-rush stands were growing around a farm reservoir.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Eleocharis palustris</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIAJcQQ98cBvs6x5NLtMVA0nVJ86n4ey-_Y7wbbm-G6Dv_f4xvzuGv2zRqnb2fh-sKC-eHZ0_GUQa4Jl7exrawKxtty1e51sIT0qELXgQQwi37gk10ABHpwHFH_Tx7jlWwia-PnRmJmxK0BcLSd8bC9dkwwjM83SPc5QRFMcr5kID2QufGjBRukcu/s1067/aaa%20Eleocharis%20palustris%20Common%20Spike%20Rush%20TQ787773%20Decoy%20Farm%20210523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIAJcQQ98cBvs6x5NLtMVA0nVJ86n4ey-_Y7wbbm-G6Dv_f4xvzuGv2zRqnb2fh-sKC-eHZ0_GUQa4Jl7exrawKxtty1e51sIT0qELXgQQwi37gk10ABHpwHFH_Tx7jlWwia-PnRmJmxK0BcLSd8bC9dkwwjM83SPc5QRFMcr5kID2QufGjBRukcu/w480-h640/aaa%20Eleocharis%20palustris%20Common%20Spike%20Rush%20TQ787773%20Decoy%20Farm%20210523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The unassuming flowers of the Spindle Tree.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Euonymus europaeus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2X42RHocomGda0Hf_9ucB_Tx5WPfjuECGiAZtSk25WcQgdqjNmWkKGKQ5ypQtJZyHW53hvXMawKDkrce58H7v2Wca-KEZpLlE2Q8h0TSaQvZ8LlDzdmWGUzqwuluNlibnRS5rpu4DVCkSr5HqHFkDwfiZRdnqx35XdWxBDpg4dIkhfssNHv56nvh/s800/aaa%20Euonymus%20europaeus%20Spindle%20TQ7876%20Northward%20Hill%20Woods%20250523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2X42RHocomGda0Hf_9ucB_Tx5WPfjuECGiAZtSk25WcQgdqjNmWkKGKQ5ypQtJZyHW53hvXMawKDkrce58H7v2Wca-KEZpLlE2Q8h0TSaQvZ8LlDzdmWGUzqwuluNlibnRS5rpu4DVCkSr5HqHFkDwfiZRdnqx35XdWxBDpg4dIkhfssNHv56nvh/w400-h300/aaa%20Euonymus%20europaeus%20Spindle%20TQ7876%20Northward%20Hill%20Woods%20250523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">When I lived in Kent, I never did find any Small-flowered Buttercups, but at Northward Hill I found hundreds of plants, most lining the more open paths through the woods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ranunculus parviflorus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdF3zlqz48DIly1yaWM7OJN6QfpC3dCULPB_o1zgEHYbzbFNsLPKrTOJ0bDfHDbbu0ir61DUrey3Ox59EE1rAF6qqomBD7QkKwzz56voYCVBLmr7jle-MfD6L96DHoiLsEpAlni8H1pyBWo1lOgIcpnfjZX8AT9Wy1_XrmGBF-WQYAxmr2OC4UbDG/s1067/aaa%20Ranunculus%20parviflorus%20Small%20flowered%20Buttercup%20TQ779760%20Northward%20Hill%20Woods%20250523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdF3zlqz48DIly1yaWM7OJN6QfpC3dCULPB_o1zgEHYbzbFNsLPKrTOJ0bDfHDbbu0ir61DUrey3Ox59EE1rAF6qqomBD7QkKwzz56voYCVBLmr7jle-MfD6L96DHoiLsEpAlni8H1pyBWo1lOgIcpnfjZX8AT9Wy1_XrmGBF-WQYAxmr2OC4UbDG/w480-h640/aaa%20Ranunculus%20parviflorus%20Small%20flowered%20Buttercup%20TQ779760%20Northward%20Hill%20Woods%20250523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Stands of Bastard Cabbage grew close to the tidal Thames.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Rapistrum rugosum<br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8urymQkvt9UZViWxt1BYM1sCH7gauv1FLMtFMpLWsMnYiG5UMdKkA0J_LKxFjW0Yz6FGSwqVvKFO0VvrbQ97h3eGVM6XyskLYlt_QSWBxUNAGiCcpzF0Fwfi-Za1W5YOopO_D2vGHQbauhn-7IPTEL0ZupG_jAN3XM6fKXcXpmcvS4jmrpxHUDiA/s1067/aaa%20Rapistrum%20rugosum%20Bastard%20Cabbage%20TQ7779%20Egypt%20Bay%20230523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8urymQkvt9UZViWxt1BYM1sCH7gauv1FLMtFMpLWsMnYiG5UMdKkA0J_LKxFjW0Yz6FGSwqVvKFO0VvrbQ97h3eGVM6XyskLYlt_QSWBxUNAGiCcpzF0Fwfi-Za1W5YOopO_D2vGHQbauhn-7IPTEL0ZupG_jAN3XM6fKXcXpmcvS4jmrpxHUDiA/w480-h640/aaa%20Rapistrum%20rugosum%20Bastard%20Cabbage%20TQ7779%20Egypt%20Bay%20230523.jpg" width="480" /></a></i></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">That concludes my Kent plants of interest, but I thought I'd add the following plant at the end as it wasn't in Kent but on my way to Kent. On a dangerous small lay-by on the A303 on the Somerset border is a well known colony of Bee x Fly Orchid hybrids. They were lovely to see, but huge lorries passed within a few feet of them, so a very dodgy place to stay parked for too long!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>O. x pietzschii </i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4b2-S_ODa632qaGkF1aGZa08Y-Re0s17UnuJyUFWJH55-YSY6kJdtdyO48NKMtLW3WYP7QEpHlm87pC7PqrbRsQ0Uj8rL6AEwGU5aTr22GsZ6BlbkXZpj9wyUnhFqZjJpFZ3cznB3V_AMN3OLKYnUDvOW-SVrmw0uS__DiBbjqdCVpqFaY4GUM4G/s1067/aaa%20Ophrys%20apifera%20x%20insectifera%20O%20x%20pietzschii%20ST66592695%20VC6%20Maperton%20200523b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4b2-S_ODa632qaGkF1aGZa08Y-Re0s17UnuJyUFWJH55-YSY6kJdtdyO48NKMtLW3WYP7QEpHlm87pC7PqrbRsQ0Uj8rL6AEwGU5aTr22GsZ6BlbkXZpj9wyUnhFqZjJpFZ3cznB3V_AMN3OLKYnUDvOW-SVrmw0uS__DiBbjqdCVpqFaY4GUM4G/w480-h640/aaa%20Ophrys%20apifera%20x%20insectifera%20O%20x%20pietzschii%20ST66592695%20VC6%20Maperton%20200523b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZstCMTfvyOTD07LXgw9lVGIRTdBYIk7of7SH_--H43OEyUrhxoJvzLIOGq5V0QdgOctUQ71JMDSnejNPWz0iae1RWGr0S8YcMnGuSz0f8Co8GZwu4qW2CDcwtS3vP6qwqF-lFYIfCKxbDBADqqb1l3gXSP_DgvYtMsSz5R79CvSXcQgtSZBaop24/s1067/aaa%20Ophrys%20apifera%20x%20insectifera%20O%20x%20pietzschii%20ST66592695%20VC6%20Maperton%20200523f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZstCMTfvyOTD07LXgw9lVGIRTdBYIk7of7SH_--H43OEyUrhxoJvzLIOGq5V0QdgOctUQ71JMDSnejNPWz0iae1RWGr0S8YcMnGuSz0f8Co8GZwu4qW2CDcwtS3vP6qwqF-lFYIfCKxbDBADqqb1l3gXSP_DgvYtMsSz5R79CvSXcQgtSZBaop24/w480-h640/aaa%20Ophrys%20apifera%20x%20insectifera%20O%20x%20pietzschii%20ST66592695%20VC6%20Maperton%20200523f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>So ended my trip to Kent. I found several hundred botanical records too and overall had a nice time. My trip was primarily to attend my Mum's funeral, so a bittersweet visit. As such, I dedicate this blog to her, love you Mum.</p><p> </p><p>Take care and don't forget to follow my Cornwall plants blog at <a href="https://sylvatica2022.blogspot.com/">https://sylvatica2022.blogspot.com/</a></p><p> </p><p>Dave <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-40829111774905308252021-12-27T14:47:00.002+00:002023-03-29T22:21:21.785+00:00Autumn 2021 - Botanical Finds from Kent<p style="text-align: center;"> This is the last blog for 2021 for my Kent trips and covers September to mid November.</p><p style="text-align: center;">First up is a recording trip I made to a rural road and adjacent fields near Upper Halling. This had a wonderful roadside flora given it was on chalk and mostly untouched by mowing, sprays and fertilisers.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It didn't take long to find my first rare species, Dwarf Spurge, a lover of chalky fields. It's low growing with quite small pointy leaves, so it stands out as different to other Spurges. You will likely only find it on disturbed alkaline soils too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Euphorbia exigua </i><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvOf8Y1na4KnUfIyYiBSLY0gU2L0JhPgpOJdLay-UPW00FQ_KJvc6sJo7cLAfimBcbtxWldQ8dom5GfyVAp_WDNsA-Yydg1Xy0S3UcIej5FAfEQRNLrjg5L98Eytqzu_pvZ4kIMAG4JAxemU5NYP9cAdxLZbr0LzfEeZIaP8uYPiQrvYhOkAC1XWHi=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvOf8Y1na4KnUfIyYiBSLY0gU2L0JhPgpOJdLay-UPW00FQ_KJvc6sJo7cLAfimBcbtxWldQ8dom5GfyVAp_WDNsA-Yydg1Xy0S3UcIej5FAfEQRNLrjg5L98Eytqzu_pvZ4kIMAG4JAxemU5NYP9cAdxLZbr0LzfEeZIaP8uYPiQrvYhOkAC1XWHi=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Here's what you would see from a standing height.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSScJTLfW6jws7_uI5Di0ZBLUALdkle38glJ8d3P5RD3QbIsCNmLGRVqbI0xyRGken7NQWzDYiGabff1ud8giZ6BRh2iOUjGxUOQWkN4MH8kCaQb6a66P4Uuwpb0oiEBD9L74lTbECAnOLL4IXJVzYmZYinykpz1jruIrk5I7zz5HuExR6iSwYF4RC=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSScJTLfW6jws7_uI5Di0ZBLUALdkle38glJ8d3P5RD3QbIsCNmLGRVqbI0xyRGken7NQWzDYiGabff1ud8giZ6BRh2iOUjGxUOQWkN4MH8kCaQb6a66P4Uuwpb0oiEBD9L74lTbECAnOLL4IXJVzYmZYinykpz1jruIrk5I7zz5HuExR6iSwYF4RC=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Three Toadflax species were nearby, Round and Sharp Leaved Fluellens with their tiny but exquisite flowers and Common Toadflax too. The photo is of Round-leaved Fluellen.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> Kickxia spuria </i><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-J3fAxvkdYHbAif9JMyOCRtTKa66NQp2hZKqlWCsnQyLfUeqdEJTZeJbU_Jl4BSPzUSAjFWk_PvTFSZC2N3BZk3Ll4m2JGMg0cRlwF5xPq6t4jnvH5LhSeMBmTD2hugrS-LybxPtedOjpFaEd84IZGKNraSO9VKETStu0INW9ljthZw6b4Mp6tDki=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="800" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-J3fAxvkdYHbAif9JMyOCRtTKa66NQp2hZKqlWCsnQyLfUeqdEJTZeJbU_Jl4BSPzUSAjFWk_PvTFSZC2N3BZk3Ll4m2JGMg0cRlwF5xPq6t4jnvH5LhSeMBmTD2hugrS-LybxPtedOjpFaEd84IZGKNraSO9VKETStu0INW9ljthZw6b4Mp6tDki=w640-h580" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> A surprise find was several metres of roadside verge covered in Meadow Cranesbill. I think these likely came from fly tipped garden material as they are pretty much absent in the wild in Kent.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Geranium pratense</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIGv2r331CCEZDcEAjVqjtDVCDcbO_a850jcaxLGxP0jgtwJDRubRIkaO1MyTy-EgWXNgNL78sA1EkOxWLjcj9A9X8tprZEA9N8-pZTG9r3c_BAueygF2lKWnJtP5EYN_0J_fTZY5x8orbVQAl5vB_iHVVoAGVPHwhcuqm8JJg3FYksYU-udtadECE=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="800" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIGv2r331CCEZDcEAjVqjtDVCDcbO_a850jcaxLGxP0jgtwJDRubRIkaO1MyTy-EgWXNgNL78sA1EkOxWLjcj9A9X8tprZEA9N8-pZTG9r3c_BAueygF2lKWnJtP5EYN_0J_fTZY5x8orbVQAl5vB_iHVVoAGVPHwhcuqm8JJg3FYksYU-udtadECE=w640-h548" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Another lovely big and blousy blue flower on display was the Nettle-leaved Bellflower. This is quite a common plant found along the chalk verges from Wrotham Hill to the Medway Gap area. The one below was photographed in September, but I did find one still flowering in mid November near Wrotham Hill too, although to be fair, a recent mowing had stimulated the plant to throw up more flowers. The flowers are quite large, usually at least an inch across, so I'm surprised these haven't made it into gardens really.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Campanula trachelium</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOHLMUxmQTTgZ4nAOz0Vj-_ll38Fh6lYbhl8M_qS2SVEOvkz1lqvPtq0DY7CB-DfkrsbOrBJHRgTIoGbZ8nOnIqJc654g5M-ejy1dQ1OYi7uR2pkZJ4GKAR_PB8ItX_VmYyQc0lbCqxSVKzoNIJoCkQk2L38DgElde5EXoqoT1-eSAU8Hzl_vKS3NY=s1065" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOHLMUxmQTTgZ4nAOz0Vj-_ll38Fh6lYbhl8M_qS2SVEOvkz1lqvPtq0DY7CB-DfkrsbOrBJHRgTIoGbZ8nOnIqJc654g5M-ejy1dQ1OYi7uR2pkZJ4GKAR_PB8ItX_VmYyQc0lbCqxSVKzoNIJoCkQk2L38DgElde5EXoqoT1-eSAU8Hzl_vKS3NY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Here is a view of the rural road verge. Arable to the left and wild to the right where an old quarry had plants such as Carline Thistle and Wild Strawberry. Assorted Goosefoots and Oraches were on and around the manure heap in the image and the meadow cranesbill were on the left verge in the foreground. All with beautiful downland views too.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtIyzc0WfjUuSohBOxl7ToHEBCxy3JJL0vYxNh224JavMSIsxZ_Qs6SWKGYEwfffWvSDUILQuLUVen7kAQ7jmTDo52b89dAd5pCYNQRZPorKvtBhrOHFFOx2CxsK5yF3MMEob5XHHzY_jQkgoewuzk2rv-m5TClHWDcpt9GwbvABMeDdWbeLM8KYZL=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtIyzc0WfjUuSohBOxl7ToHEBCxy3JJL0vYxNh224JavMSIsxZ_Qs6SWKGYEwfffWvSDUILQuLUVen7kAQ7jmTDo52b89dAd5pCYNQRZPorKvtBhrOHFFOx2CxsK5yF3MMEob5XHHzY_jQkgoewuzk2rv-m5TClHWDcpt9GwbvABMeDdWbeLM8KYZL=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">A few days later and I was walking along an arble field path near Cobham and found some surprise Jersey Cudweed plants. It was a surprise because this was found in an arable field and not in street pavement cracks or block paving where it is usually found in Kent. This is the second place I have found them in a rural setting now, indicating a rapid expansion. It will likely soon be removed from the Kent RPR as it becomes more common.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> Laphangium luteoalbum</i><br /></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfFexDaEkrjGvjgleVTi_H5GEgxxrtFoDXAH7kh89MMUeZkZgjzUaHg4n8j1vFvDzOCYBYmmTMWj6JneGq3JnFaazk3QdljUminpQ6X9CeNGEQv42k6TykinUdxuPefyCRg5zoo0sU-SzVFoLN8l1efmH_DcOBkeuXQbEq5wUG85zfzgra2YMWvSUF=s800" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfFexDaEkrjGvjgleVTi_H5GEgxxrtFoDXAH7kh89MMUeZkZgjzUaHg4n8j1vFvDzOCYBYmmTMWj6JneGq3JnFaazk3QdljUminpQ6X9CeNGEQv42k6TykinUdxuPefyCRg5zoo0sU-SzVFoLN8l1efmH_DcOBkeuXQbEq5wUG85zfzgra2YMWvSUF=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Florets/seedheads<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8hsuKzvr9B6R_LY2quPKUuOo1sK0Ww7X740NoXGtQTuOOouEsOSU3Sdu6pAiVXQnLOslC0vJv5eJvv7-DY9jGwpcKKcPSVl0A_MSa_mADF6wczDiN1pRsHnLdvT7KxVMG1Pj7m8zMoxp6MUpE8H5OMC3Iz0gncfptfYWqvAw0ZivlPkBD_Qk2stAq=s800" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="800" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8hsuKzvr9B6R_LY2quPKUuOo1sK0Ww7X740NoXGtQTuOOouEsOSU3Sdu6pAiVXQnLOslC0vJv5eJvv7-DY9jGwpcKKcPSVl0A_MSa_mADF6wczDiN1pRsHnLdvT7KxVMG1Pj7m8zMoxp6MUpE8H5OMC3Iz0gncfptfYWqvAw0ZivlPkBD_Qk2stAq=w400-h209" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Leaves showing the silvery hairs all over the stem and leaves.</p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Its now the 10th September and I am recording a rural lane near Borough Green. By a horse paddock I find what seemed to be a tree mallow but with common mallow flowers. The flowers were very large and the leaves an odd shape. It turned out to be a Garden Tree Mallow, no doubt originating from more fly tipped material. It was entwined within native hedgerow plants and there were no indications it had been planted and no habitation was nearby either.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Malva olbia x thuringiaca = M x clementii</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm3_vKu6rMo82Jr5BkIGNHIVLjb7Iw-tKC_XCQGJECjcYoQZtHRDmM_pEh6JtixBctlrLP15jgQ08WzFTAHEfXH3pGdogXuZ3pBXbaSM6Gga-xE_NFIJi1PqI4A-c9ML45HTIX3x-xIrD_1E-wEnGIpx4aJUTpXCq9u5vj92KPbQuw0_fZM_9Mzum6=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm3_vKu6rMo82Jr5BkIGNHIVLjb7Iw-tKC_XCQGJECjcYoQZtHRDmM_pEh6JtixBctlrLP15jgQ08WzFTAHEfXH3pGdogXuZ3pBXbaSM6Gga-xE_NFIJi1PqI4A-c9ML45HTIX3x-xIrD_1E-wEnGIpx4aJUTpXCq9u5vj92KPbQuw0_fZM_9Mzum6=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvvMBI_K-EldM-vXbstX_o2dbDx1rxoCvqdRM0OL0RY5eS9clssqUUWmFxsTZz5bqLCV1Ed-QV4bo65zIErkxICVC02CcD6oEKzjiG2QNQA_m8NTqiZk6WB4inkpPGiJpy8ugIe383FsE2qgtAKN-WHjXKhwaN7KjEdHNAMITsqMU5N_lS2O1OtQFI=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="800" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvvMBI_K-EldM-vXbstX_o2dbDx1rxoCvqdRM0OL0RY5eS9clssqUUWmFxsTZz5bqLCV1Ed-QV4bo65zIErkxICVC02CcD6oEKzjiG2QNQA_m8NTqiZk6WB4inkpPGiJpy8ugIe383FsE2qgtAKN-WHjXKhwaN7KjEdHNAMITsqMU5N_lS2O1OtQFI=w640-h466" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">This trip gave me several records of planted rare wildflowers such as Cornflower, Corncockle and Corn Marigold along with Shasta Daisies. These were all on a sown wildflower strip along an arable field. In amongst it were more usual wildflowers such as Bladder Campion, Wild Marjoram and Yarrow. Anything I recorded here I gave a status as planted for the record I had found. If these later spread into the wild, at least my record will show their origins. Here's a Cornflower from that strip.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Centaurea cyanus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLl5y7H9Yio7xQuYJwBABtxSdj60UhZ6q8lUqEFDPXer5aQxdeobZoeVxNNtAl497d9SVcTbJF5VCz4jMDwruWSXyxa_yWBfxurTmjZ3vjylAHYlaL-RirmjRS_OrIQige2cXtHI2UGQ1lAkvBeQNfvOTr7nJgyCYUupcsWvYwjCjiifukQUnSG6YA=s1065" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLl5y7H9Yio7xQuYJwBABtxSdj60UhZ6q8lUqEFDPXer5aQxdeobZoeVxNNtAl497d9SVcTbJF5VCz4jMDwruWSXyxa_yWBfxurTmjZ3vjylAHYlaL-RirmjRS_OrIQige2cXtHI2UGQ1lAkvBeQNfvOTr7nJgyCYUupcsWvYwjCjiifukQUnSG6YA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Nearby was a brownfield site which gave up a plethora of good records, this photo includes a few including a beautiful flowering specimen of Great Mullein.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Verbascum thapsus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0U49-rZbtbUTU7FURZxwD_B_wVkQlkLaDNbeZnJ9VmNTCMiUnaaBwxu9VS03ff6pT2EA2HpP3nkjUdoIdGunoykOGK6i4CZkPVJlL-XduqUNqXrLrdFTzeZu1lVv7IMixDFbuXg4oFpd4TzAtpOsUb6Yv_DnmuFROaGGauIok4xP9bX9AMSZUNgVp=s1065" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0U49-rZbtbUTU7FURZxwD_B_wVkQlkLaDNbeZnJ9VmNTCMiUnaaBwxu9VS03ff6pT2EA2HpP3nkjUdoIdGunoykOGK6i4CZkPVJlL-XduqUNqXrLrdFTzeZu1lVv7IMixDFbuXg4oFpd4TzAtpOsUb6Yv_DnmuFROaGGauIok4xP9bX9AMSZUNgVp=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">"Wow" was my first thought when I came across Crimson Clover. It is a striking plant and cannot be missed when in flower. However, it is not native so one must look to see why it has appeared in a field edge. In this case, it was clear it was part of a seed mix for a wildflower strip to an adjacent arable field. This one contained completely different species to the one above, but one of the giveways is that the same species occur in a strip along a field edge and nowhere else. Again, I recorded these as planted. Nice to see though.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium incarnatum </i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbB4gZCosOiI7NM26Iv1OmOZIrLkafPf2BoDxZMe4E0X4-D7G6SCFyu1bt3cKNlJDA0lv8FSD6DMvbMaEw0IgCDRDLH4tHTqVaDDkIr0R9e8WmDmBYKbZK90AEFIuhzRBu7Pdpqd99YTDzZMkt1eiRDwX17ZkepDwNw4nYVl0Qr4NZO0s8blBXSgxM=s1065" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbB4gZCosOiI7NM26Iv1OmOZIrLkafPf2BoDxZMe4E0X4-D7G6SCFyu1bt3cKNlJDA0lv8FSD6DMvbMaEw0IgCDRDLH4tHTqVaDDkIr0R9e8WmDmBYKbZK90AEFIuhzRBu7Pdpqd99YTDzZMkt1eiRDwX17ZkepDwNw4nYVl0Qr4NZO0s8blBXSgxM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Here is that wildflower strip. Quite a big one too, but not very diverse in species.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaNKihCFcf8Ihmc6ykW5dDkq7BDUz1LZdxuRMEEly6Hqbsh3tQHSbqDe8cCHVyGUqtKb79TPULUxfP0NVPloEqyyralca9k38xpi17t7l7v2bfTyxK1HOz8aAynRwkpPaOv37HaFNGjgB_r7zlWLDcvS9uJ6gWw6OG0E27Pq9oOXhtfuAHxwJbNVKV=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaNKihCFcf8Ihmc6ykW5dDkq7BDUz1LZdxuRMEEly6Hqbsh3tQHSbqDe8cCHVyGUqtKb79TPULUxfP0NVPloEqyyralca9k38xpi17t7l7v2bfTyxK1HOz8aAynRwkpPaOv37HaFNGjgB_r7zlWLDcvS9uJ6gWw6OG0E27Pq9oOXhtfuAHxwJbNVKV=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The most unusual plant found nearby and not part of the sowing, was a Marsh Woundwort. It was unusual as this was growing on chalk in the Downs and not by water. However, I did note it was on a North facing woodland edge that was very damp. Needless to say I checked to see if it was the hybrid, but it lacked the stalked leaves and the flowers looked good for Marsh too.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Stachys palustris</i><br /> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB5rikF4WpG5NHjjHYDdaiA5ICsYoT7FmsVRVoqS3_zpoAGYLFMbIz31RYwCSADffnsxmnCfTpTt7Zqhm2wB1zuovmSo0ORXsJANK4VqmlfKUCQ5BKB8nG5fmVFQOF_DrVc5VmD4R13bOTFXMyNDRiAkGPWsUVFY48LkHn-Rm6ATSt-cfi7RBGATQo=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB5rikF4WpG5NHjjHYDdaiA5ICsYoT7FmsVRVoqS3_zpoAGYLFMbIz31RYwCSADffnsxmnCfTpTt7Zqhm2wB1zuovmSo0ORXsJANK4VqmlfKUCQ5BKB8nG5fmVFQOF_DrVc5VmD4R13bOTFXMyNDRiAkGPWsUVFY48LkHn-Rm6ATSt-cfi7RBGATQo=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Its now mid September and I did a short walk around a rural area near an oddly named village called Crouch. This area had acid soils and a completely different flora to that found in the previous areas above. I found the beautiful but rare in Kent, Bell Heather. Ive only seen it (in Kent) at Pembury Walks and here. It can be told apart from Cross-leaved Heath in that the leaves are in whorls of three and not four. You can easily see these whorls in the first photo.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Erica cinerea</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpRIS5d5KviaVMC1lpL1NAM24izkvUHzsWeuy--kbFoaBHVL_GZEhrjR8XvknQ_bgtqzYx_FCJqvBdbA8MZ5W9t7LZC9YW0JptdTOxPkyGnK9TAiN-unkkev3VI5dk8tTK8JH_byllET5IoDAhgFTcr7vwmTLRU6EOl8VbkInkLStXbntkS-3N1OE4=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpRIS5d5KviaVMC1lpL1NAM24izkvUHzsWeuy--kbFoaBHVL_GZEhrjR8XvknQ_bgtqzYx_FCJqvBdbA8MZ5W9t7LZC9YW0JptdTOxPkyGnK9TAiN-unkkev3VI5dk8tTK8JH_byllET5IoDAhgFTcr7vwmTLRU6EOl8VbkInkLStXbntkS-3N1OE4=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLtVypQB4MN_NV0Ou9z9bcO6JgwWOwPJ63Nm-iyFntYiOUkj9uJ7oQwoUtC5sJaxg8aScmsaKi_ZwciQqATxva4OGKrv49ZbOZ1ynOrTMJWj3_pAiFJhE0KoHmAFiFaopowPb8SmVkkC2a_efFGej8N_8dRQ4bnpzj6-tjjApb8PUBhBF5vripsm0z=s1065" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLtVypQB4MN_NV0Ou9z9bcO6JgwWOwPJ63Nm-iyFntYiOUkj9uJ7oQwoUtC5sJaxg8aScmsaKi_ZwciQqATxva4OGKrv49ZbOZ1ynOrTMJWj3_pAiFJhE0KoHmAFiFaopowPb8SmVkkC2a_efFGej8N_8dRQ4bnpzj6-tjjApb8PUBhBF5vripsm0z=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">These tiny flowers below are from Trailing St John's Wort and are about 1/2" across. They are surprisingly easy to miss as the leaves are small and as their name suggests, they trail across the woodland floor. They like recently coppiced areas and woodland paths where competition isn't too fierce.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The larger leaves in the foreground belong to Yellow Pimpernel and the upright green stalks to Smooth Rush. I really like the small plants found along woodland paths. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Hypericum humifusum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpCSlFTJ5twfsFyn6wNrNOr0Qgj6aSDhnCH6Z9TQoSZ7Ok4S1KJqPsqxgCz6rMH8kFqwT-YhnlW6Nx18nBCgVJ8eyP_CQ8XzUBeczdct-EJTUgVgpFJxAXK7Tjb1cc7Lb7bF6DrhqyQ6s6nk_mW4AnCH6aWUB0LEAn54joSNmfGLDZDbtd5nQeOWtO=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpCSlFTJ5twfsFyn6wNrNOr0Qgj6aSDhnCH6Z9TQoSZ7Ok4S1KJqPsqxgCz6rMH8kFqwT-YhnlW6Nx18nBCgVJ8eyP_CQ8XzUBeczdct-EJTUgVgpFJxAXK7Tjb1cc7Lb7bF6DrhqyQ6s6nk_mW4AnCH6aWUB0LEAn54joSNmfGLDZDbtd5nQeOWtO=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's another plant from a different woodland, Kingswood near Kingshill. This better shows the leaf arrangement on this small plant.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiecWrstNrZSw-jTbrjEEO-ogOflitNYL2W9seaPSAv_3r11rHQ3vQfm8cLj-ApJiqgONAKPdAuMYLQjuAh3CxtuvtIkzDDoeEBf4DSJvrHk0PIJlMVphDq0uFrrxnV_XojHci52ZIiGIZ7nQe9zuA-5ywitclNSFCWp6PyufjUkDTQFOVZqiWJ39x7=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiecWrstNrZSw-jTbrjEEO-ogOflitNYL2W9seaPSAv_3r11rHQ3vQfm8cLj-ApJiqgONAKPdAuMYLQjuAh3CxtuvtIkzDDoeEBf4DSJvrHk0PIJlMVphDq0uFrrxnV_XojHci52ZIiGIZ7nQe9zuA-5ywitclNSFCWp6PyufjUkDTQFOVZqiWJ39x7=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"> I was surprised to find some areas of Mereworth Woods under recorded. So I thought I'd put that right and filled in the gaps. Of course, two of the monads contained new records of the dreaded Piri Piri Bur from New Zealand. It apparently arrived here in WWII when ANZAC troops garrisoned in the woods. Look at the arrowheads on their seeds! It pierces your clothing and then transfers to it, so any human or animal with fur is likely to disperse it far and wide. Also known as a sock destroyer by hikers.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Be careful not to help it spread won't you! If you pick up seeds in your clothing, burn them.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Acaena novae-zelandiae </i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDgHf1uSl1ryJXwEj3G2mzYa8y-yBdczx50rm0BHHZHCR3YxfHpHO0j9UnqrtRLbSGfVUfjIPrhmVm2jST-cuqFIRbQONvQBtsXLVjMRETLQ3p3_1WvI5sH57lO8nROMep4eChgFHPnOrMcvjPTGvTxafr6Tw6ETXAp0iBa-yedJApPS3Fphh8kMDh=s2144" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2144" data-original-width="1792" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDgHf1uSl1ryJXwEj3G2mzYa8y-yBdczx50rm0BHHZHCR3YxfHpHO0j9UnqrtRLbSGfVUfjIPrhmVm2jST-cuqFIRbQONvQBtsXLVjMRETLQ3p3_1WvI5sH57lO8nROMep4eChgFHPnOrMcvjPTGvTxafr6Tw6ETXAp0iBa-yedJApPS3Fphh8kMDh=w534-h640" width="534" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Below is the Common Hemp Nettle. It's been a bad year for it as this is the only plant I've found this year. All the others found have been the Bifid Hemp Nettle. Lovely plant, but the calyxes are quite sharp and can pierce skin, so be careful if handling it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Galeopsis tetrahit</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhL6Tm5Nt-JVV-6MKBmVXGsEFVbzBA7yHgHrRR1w19yAi2wPsMDDb-jU8vffMKvnvdxR6dKglYT1DZE_eVUndTsPamTUDguobxPI8jwxmN3eDGHb1KIdSeD9Til97RqjvUkJZe9CMwkHFAQLE5WAr__e7hVFxF38qv066GZj1WSoIVQDtHSlgPQRa0s=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhL6Tm5Nt-JVV-6MKBmVXGsEFVbzBA7yHgHrRR1w19yAi2wPsMDDb-jU8vffMKvnvdxR6dKglYT1DZE_eVUndTsPamTUDguobxPI8jwxmN3eDGHb1KIdSeD9Til97RqjvUkJZe9CMwkHFAQLE5WAr__e7hVFxF38qv066GZj1WSoIVQDtHSlgPQRa0s=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhzv4q4WHQNcVccP0QcevijmCnhbVXAfBsMvtVEhc1ML3-CigA9FQ4IoxhkKlB-5VvV_CCx95ZJMPTXcbYO5EC4ff5bntu-2nSrKUydudz5GAHFFJpVhp3O-Y-ihmLpbe7Lg9ckJmj29sP0JK7xlqc8AX9YdQEdpRxIBPI2s6pXS85dM1z4Id8XjcP=s1045" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhzv4q4WHQNcVccP0QcevijmCnhbVXAfBsMvtVEhc1ML3-CigA9FQ4IoxhkKlB-5VvV_CCx95ZJMPTXcbYO5EC4ff5bntu-2nSrKUydudz5GAHFFJpVhp3O-Y-ihmLpbe7Lg9ckJmj29sP0JK7xlqc8AX9YdQEdpRxIBPI2s6pXS85dM1z4Id8XjcP=w306-h400" width="306" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I don't often find this plant, which is Heath Groundsel, but it was present in large numbers in Mereworth Woods in some places. Unlike normal Groundsel, it is often over two feet tall, nowhere near as hairy and the flowers usually have small rays that curl out and inwards as shown.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Senecio sylvaticus</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I had no idea what this caterpillar was. However, I knew what plant it was on and used this knowledge to help ID it. It's a Figwort Saw-Fly caterpillar, on a Water Figwort plant of course.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI1v_iQeQX21CsTc7mQFgKH_eLV1995ZsOZZ4GZgVK08EHcblov6quBM2aXOsUXE-QKxaBtQOlv6PUdAZ3DGr616iZaTEce4A63ZWRzvtRJBmON6rLnxyl1p3fktukzZw4qrsjCsKSow_ZJW8gn-8xS9O05MMDhji1ot8CxGz-q1fHRoILxOmD2ZS8=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI1v_iQeQX21CsTc7mQFgKH_eLV1995ZsOZZ4GZgVK08EHcblov6quBM2aXOsUXE-QKxaBtQOlv6PUdAZ3DGr616iZaTEce4A63ZWRzvtRJBmON6rLnxyl1p3fktukzZw4qrsjCsKSow_ZJW8gn-8xS9O05MMDhji1ot8CxGz-q1fHRoILxOmD2ZS8=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> In the distance lies the chalk of the North downs at Wrotham Hill, as seen from Mereworth Woods. <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfoe5ZYWMff2SCWBgLgz5jmXP7i90ZIBYy5T7NX-BQRniMj8YnKug0tGwU8ACHE0DLb1wH_iObDZWQwGpNTDVRSr89Rekuq_GLPwmZxQUVxSyMDnFUL5okNgnEBoD_UAmMiF42Axm62QJfLZTORXOGN2PgxO3adxii0MHQtQJVOkYYtYiZ2cWhcW2L=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="800" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfoe5ZYWMff2SCWBgLgz5jmXP7i90ZIBYy5T7NX-BQRniMj8YnKug0tGwU8ACHE0DLb1wH_iObDZWQwGpNTDVRSr89Rekuq_GLPwmZxQUVxSyMDnFUL5okNgnEBoD_UAmMiF42Axm62QJfLZTORXOGN2PgxO3adxii0MHQtQJVOkYYtYiZ2cWhcW2L=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br /> It used to be a revelation finding a Spring flowering Violet in flower in the Autumn, but no more. In fact, they have flowered a lot this Autumn, almost always in woodlands with plenty of light. I've seen Early or Wood Dog Violet and Sweet Violet in flower and this Common Dog Violet below. I look forward to the Spring to look for assorted hybrids between them too.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Viola riviniana</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLKVYqDwmfa0DNAoHReOuUEuZXgYYsM2tpGgjLuS4574ekFv5VAt2bj0vpbLvyOS_eJyfEGTISmKTiUYFIFHAifNMRV4MbKjAExW_HVm8ig8HqgoGhebIx7hAE1sRmKmo_3OHRpIPsLK4XfJBvMPFtRbGB3DiCl7CTuIOCx7Wk0vc5VC229L_kbIc5=s860" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLKVYqDwmfa0DNAoHReOuUEuZXgYYsM2tpGgjLuS4574ekFv5VAt2bj0vpbLvyOS_eJyfEGTISmKTiUYFIFHAifNMRV4MbKjAExW_HVm8ig8HqgoGhebIx7hAE1sRmKmo_3OHRpIPsLK4XfJBvMPFtRbGB3DiCl7CTuIOCx7Wk0vc5VC229L_kbIc5=w596-h640" width="596" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mid October and I find some flowering Water Chickweed by the moored boats at Nettlestead on the River Medway. This is the only chickweed with purple anthers and it also has large flowers. True to its name it was actually growing in the water.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Now re-named as:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Stellaria aquatica</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigkTQ63nrKAsMqppoUtBemj6COyuTR1bD8TLLbtg6Y3w7OlDZnKvSrnPceGNvUGbLR6Zev4vUKWGLC7qMi1Y60VLoceuC2fEGlQo4T55qAhepnnvbjTfQlNy3z8W-BBd-f1IAd3lQpNrFcgDxikdmh70XsH7wegXA0vHKxmqVlVOeldyh9xC4pz5vH=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigkTQ63nrKAsMqppoUtBemj6COyuTR1bD8TLLbtg6Y3w7OlDZnKvSrnPceGNvUGbLR6Zev4vUKWGLC7qMi1Y60VLoceuC2fEGlQo4T55qAhepnnvbjTfQlNy3z8W-BBd-f1IAd3lQpNrFcgDxikdmh70XsH7wegXA0vHKxmqVlVOeldyh9xC4pz5vH=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">My last trip was in late November and was more of a walk than a recording trip. At this time of the year one notices things other than wildflowers! The beautiful shed leaves of a Field Maple, a lovely looking native tree. In comparison, the dull brown leaves of English Oak (Quercus robur) lie next to them.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Acer campestre</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja4MWVxMyEWoIfjCRk5IH_7DNlAv5bZLPIuiAGz7Bx5KNeR2sldfkUImWmluCCGnBgQTlKg9DkUjgm9TrIUezMD82bezEUf8aZJ-mDMsby2Dq_cXpy_CIJ5mdUlJF4XB721VQcz-oJ5TQLit9jiU8tUZ39t9GTyYpJax8rRfxRxVFuFTdRZHJtS-nS=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja4MWVxMyEWoIfjCRk5IH_7DNlAv5bZLPIuiAGz7Bx5KNeR2sldfkUImWmluCCGnBgQTlKg9DkUjgm9TrIUezMD82bezEUf8aZJ-mDMsby2Dq_cXpy_CIJ5mdUlJF4XB721VQcz-oJ5TQLit9jiU8tUZ39t9GTyYpJax8rRfxRxVFuFTdRZHJtS-nS=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Wild Basil and Wild Carrot were still flowering along a field edge.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3iN--CwI97zq-P7OO27T1Pif8t_ispMZbpFtElGbmJb2D4aXkDjhwdeN-jiv0MrF81JmuVIPvyfUe5o9Ck80zNtfKpQirKbeEVbQfP3rNNbvHkr8xIKWr_5An-GvXDEn3ZfcIKGs_9nE6ub6PrfYjPpivFF7i3LNoGXT-xXLkYfwoBL4oD8BFekMi=s800" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3iN--CwI97zq-P7OO27T1Pif8t_ispMZbpFtElGbmJb2D4aXkDjhwdeN-jiv0MrF81JmuVIPvyfUe5o9Ck80zNtfKpQirKbeEVbQfP3rNNbvHkr8xIKWr_5An-GvXDEn3ZfcIKGs_9nE6ub6PrfYjPpivFF7i3LNoGXT-xXLkYfwoBL4oD8BFekMi=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Clinopodium vulgare</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgGeswVeCg7uQDsiLT7ll0lwkf79Y-NQEzYBvVP4HYDf9vVgG5CRwnLfEhtODsiudQTWY2RXKoUy0ujGOmK2Hg2JCE6FML8HbC7Q_SFGaOIeCBJ6JTaE9uL4_6rBRA1WAemt65nElj2k_EOQ7ANOmTZFW0E2JqeOGty6X1ViXAhIk3DkfJn9Be9ntU=s800" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgGeswVeCg7uQDsiLT7ll0lwkf79Y-NQEzYBvVP4HYDf9vVgG5CRwnLfEhtODsiudQTWY2RXKoUy0ujGOmK2Hg2JCE6FML8HbC7Q_SFGaOIeCBJ6JTaE9uL4_6rBRA1WAemt65nElj2k_EOQ7ANOmTZFW0E2JqeOGty6X1ViXAhIk3DkfJn9Be9ntU=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Daucus carota ssp carota</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I could have easily seen this and thought, "oh, another Wild Carrot" but the drooping bracteoles underneath show this to be Fool's Parsley, a common arable plant in flower in later Summer onwards.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Aethusa cynapium</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpiNOa6z0VH0SGLhoGUtTR5P3EvZ3llj-k90C8JK6hWTBxADEKsLq-niXoVYN5ihCcL9oeuozD2jIHrp2lpUBbmkCE2LyryxO_2XSKL4cQ__Y-7iUUHWr_tzYelaQDgAJXzKfs5QoRQKkW2VINTeXHjjvNg20IEYUZgCMwluZ0evBN4USrojrBWUwM=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpiNOa6z0VH0SGLhoGUtTR5P3EvZ3llj-k90C8JK6hWTBxADEKsLq-niXoVYN5ihCcL9oeuozD2jIHrp2lpUBbmkCE2LyryxO_2XSKL4cQ__Y-7iUUHWr_tzYelaQDgAJXzKfs5QoRQKkW2VINTeXHjjvNg20IEYUZgCMwluZ0evBN4USrojrBWUwM=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">This time of the year and over Winter is when one starts to appreciate the more common wildflowers. Here's a close up of Red Clover. You might even have this in your lawn. Let it flower and the bees will welcome it (and little spiders).<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium pratense</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxi9alNHSYPvMRnTXrXpFsnY2G8xozgq4bd7jCkYl1yKgVKxMiXd9bIcr6g9ZKltAeD1GPBOyrxOiUheOfrn3_4qUhIXYyEVVqshfEZxbYRmjD2NV0WIf0DrcalVKZ5KysoeMRMJ_d-sHM_2-tReWIHugGOZ8IakUSpcUEuKZ6df8z5IggC333PtS4=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="800" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxi9alNHSYPvMRnTXrXpFsnY2G8xozgq4bd7jCkYl1yKgVKxMiXd9bIcr6g9ZKltAeD1GPBOyrxOiUheOfrn3_4qUhIXYyEVVqshfEZxbYRmjD2NV0WIf0DrcalVKZ5KysoeMRMJ_d-sHM_2-tReWIHugGOZ8IakUSpcUEuKZ6df8z5IggC333PtS4=w400-h340" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">We are moving to Cornwall in February 2022, so as we say goodbye to Kent, a
new dawn will begin there with a host of different wildflowers to
find. I'm looking forward to it, though I will greatly miss the flora of the South East. Kent and East Sussex, as both have an amazingly varied flora. The variety of habitats and soil types allows a huge diversity of species to co-exist in a small area. Not to mention that Kent alone probably has the most varied and numerous species of wild orchids in the UK too.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Mind you, I won't miss watching them being destroyed with development, neglect or intensive agriculture. Several sites have disappeared under concrete in just one year where I currently live. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">However, there is still the New Year Plant Hunt coming this next weekend. See <a href="https://bsbi.org/new-year-plant-hunt" target="_blank">https://bsbi.org/new-year-plant-hunt</a> for details.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Have a great New Year. I don't think it could be much worse than the last 2 years, can it? I'll leave you with some soon to come Spring flowers.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCbUvkZeAtPcX08ZPMMXxxKBzuomsHAsJK--L9VObV-1GSskD7gnep0V4z399-JgqCYZTD_EAdGsFaOhuLsgaveYSuw5PO9yaNWiHd19hTBm_Q0Awlcv_DSp6aCqkHDv2PaGJg_L7n2KTejhwquDu-gfuFQMZfVr_G2GwDUljsga_poc4eIsDLuS7j=s10000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5000" data-original-width="10000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCbUvkZeAtPcX08ZPMMXxxKBzuomsHAsJK--L9VObV-1GSskD7gnep0V4z399-JgqCYZTD_EAdGsFaOhuLsgaveYSuw5PO9yaNWiHd19hTBm_Q0Awlcv_DSp6aCqkHDv2PaGJg_L7n2KTejhwquDu-gfuFQMZfVr_G2GwDUljsga_poc4eIsDLuS7j=w640-h320" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><p>Kind Regards</p><p>Dave</p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-74831019088635286362021-11-13T17:31:00.001+00:002023-03-29T22:12:43.597+00:00August 2021 - Botanical Finds from Kent<p> It's November as I write this, which is a shame. I would prefer to keep my blogs current so you, the reader, can go out and try and find some of the amazing wildflowers I come across too. However, life conspires against me to keep things like this blog up to date. So instead, look at this as either nostalgic of the season now gone, or as inspiration for planning a trip next Summer to find such plants for yourself. Either way, I hope you enjoy reading this blog and gain some inspiration for the wonders of the natural world on our doorstep.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">By the time August comes along, most or our wild orchids have come and gone, but Violet Helleborine may still be found in flower. Most years, I find new colonies in suitable woodland habitats around the county. Here, I found 3 plants with a few flowers still open on a road verge on Pembury Walks. Nearby, were also some Broad-leaved Helleborines still in flower too, also a new find for the monad.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Epipactis purpurata</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixXQHp1OzR-eoD4yZ-R5Kh-J382_kngTeby774B2J_CM2_x9cppQsvbfM7EqIdi4QcGpFyABEzvBH5KA66POXXJi8EG7KbwUei10j4FJ8rFVvirihSKHWTHW3aOCTRTJNAo6S_57V4-V0wHQvuSArynlQ0lcB1EQYAQZh_3jMpWJpc0TXbQcv8nnYN=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixXQHp1OzR-eoD4yZ-R5Kh-J382_kngTeby774B2J_CM2_x9cppQsvbfM7EqIdi4QcGpFyABEzvBH5KA66POXXJi8EG7KbwUei10j4FJ8rFVvirihSKHWTHW3aOCTRTJNAo6S_57V4-V0wHQvuSArynlQ0lcB1EQYAQZh_3jMpWJpc0TXbQcv8nnYN=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">This is Toad Rush (below), a small, mat making plant with tiny star like flowers. This is the freshest one I've yet seen and the mat had hundreds of such flowers. When looking for them, bear in mind the plant rarely makes 6" in height and is low growing.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Juncus bufonius</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL_pL74WYOKZSITmTjs9scb7NU4SxlfkzJfAEyhfOj71D8_ucyNCqrg_0LUzhey4B-MdbUD37xV4Y6M23WsU-zV8gUFJJosx2jEbwFrgDi2Z0G3cmJoMqzkexnqlx40gWa_MNNIV7ly5MV3-o_yZAUxuUb5uYJ1xEEWvdiKkPZNAdIeAeII3U65lI9=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="800" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL_pL74WYOKZSITmTjs9scb7NU4SxlfkzJfAEyhfOj71D8_ucyNCqrg_0LUzhey4B-MdbUD37xV4Y6M23WsU-zV8gUFJJosx2jEbwFrgDi2Z0G3cmJoMqzkexnqlx40gWa_MNNIV7ly5MV3-o_yZAUxuUb5uYJ1xEEWvdiKkPZNAdIeAeII3U65lI9=w640-h606" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">It's great to see a touch of Spring in late Summer! Here's a Wood Dog Violet in flower in August. This is not uncommon, but still rare enough to raise a smile when I see one. Common Dog Violet also sometimes flowers now too. It's now been discovered that they also produce flowers underground late in the year and they set seed underground too. Quite an incredible plant really.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Viola reichenbachiana</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipSf_3l6EmV1K5WGWR0anONnqAhs7Z7rtPNjyOxl-FEh_ggCZEeAPKJlJBJlS61DnxgmLzYMUM5xKeoxOuyTvC62Ou3KwXaP6nC3h8Qj2eeH57dQWHsQrR4zgewImjR3pqeZJ3kCDYb8inryUNHn7_cYU4wRhleXTTBwPgLGIMYph_d29ImVIZLSfH=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipSf_3l6EmV1K5WGWR0anONnqAhs7Z7rtPNjyOxl-FEh_ggCZEeAPKJlJBJlS61DnxgmLzYMUM5xKeoxOuyTvC62Ou3KwXaP6nC3h8Qj2eeH57dQWHsQrR4zgewImjR3pqeZJ3kCDYb8inryUNHn7_cYU4wRhleXTTBwPgLGIMYph_d29ImVIZLSfH=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Wild Strawberries are quite a common find in the wild in Kent. Not so common is the Yellow Strawberry. This is a garden plant that has escaped in a few places into the wild. It had escaped here from an unknown garden and lined about 100m of a rural road verge near Pembury. I've seen these naturalised at Port Lympne zoo as well. Of course, the flower is what is yellow, not the fruit.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Potentilla indica</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrwO1eaKFgKfHfJKWhcku5T4qT56oMNs-tkGXt71OjZKwfHrUS0iIqsC43bkfBgqoFUGMabRqtjaXeQoqApgQY3W6pXqlqQwInNJVVym_q3pK20XetRrqKZFAAD5AcNW0kOZWtylTeXi5StnXNEL7yXvZqpYL4kOZVNi2vhHP7aDlE-3DRqqAJZaFu=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrwO1eaKFgKfHfJKWhcku5T4qT56oMNs-tkGXt71OjZKwfHrUS0iIqsC43bkfBgqoFUGMabRqtjaXeQoqApgQY3W6pXqlqQwInNJVVym_q3pK20XetRrqKZFAAD5AcNW0kOZWtylTeXi5StnXNEL7yXvZqpYL4kOZVNi2vhHP7aDlE-3DRqqAJZaFu=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Chickory has attractive bright blue flowers and is a Kent RPR species. It is reasonably common locally to me in North Kent and here it is growing happily with Wild Parsnip near Longfield.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cichorium intybus</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZYHSaqoFzUvkrXF1YVyxYGm9t99Iw234gq_67p3tgors4Eu1CpfgEB6xArTxD31EVR_RDeZ1YFn5xv5_hRsYd7B8POqXUAjbbSR1ApsPizQner-reqWCzHC1DnBUJdYk5Pf9BQEhl7JpPlYFuTeI0zAFyBvL44_d3WB_vnCkMFerLP-z2FTKdmqb1=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZYHSaqoFzUvkrXF1YVyxYGm9t99Iw234gq_67p3tgors4Eu1CpfgEB6xArTxD31EVR_RDeZ1YFn5xv5_hRsYd7B8POqXUAjbbSR1ApsPizQner-reqWCzHC1DnBUJdYk5Pf9BQEhl7JpPlYFuTeI0zAFyBvL44_d3WB_vnCkMFerLP-z2FTKdmqb1=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Nearby to those plants was another Kent RPR species, Small Teasel. The east side of Hartley Woods probably has the largest population of this plant in Kent with thousands of plants present. It is likely the site will be developed for housing within a few years. There is no protection for them.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkEIBIVvliVdSUkVEIX5d9rv24NB5V2YQ00nBerOoFPJ23jNwyt07hGGuSSbI8NOTj6CRtNHB_Dj0XdtScyJBtOyHh1BUs8RnDJokjq5DZcmaEZZ9dB3657ASO4rN-ANPlfq2yxT6xqRNBbNF9bFdnGqyo_fB_7OvVoKxC5Ak_u3ar5bo5Nm5sDdu1=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkEIBIVvliVdSUkVEIX5d9rv24NB5V2YQ00nBerOoFPJ23jNwyt07hGGuSSbI8NOTj6CRtNHB_Dj0XdtScyJBtOyHh1BUs8RnDJokjq5DZcmaEZZ9dB3657ASO4rN-ANPlfq2yxT6xqRNBbNF9bFdnGqyo_fB_7OvVoKxC5Ak_u3ar5bo5Nm5sDdu1=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dipsacus pilosus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQriMN7er05RmsE3CZNgATvNe53Rv1MfLr32q91y3RyCCByWBh8v8Gcs-DItBHn6FKA3wsoN4kjfb3pm4j8ycm2T8u0WZNzaZMpzENZdKsPUfMQ0Kn73P_SqXLxZJGBZlD3R-UOIg3zIn_w4JugXrNKQchr4hLVbB3O1G_XzGU_w0Fhmdv36OsW1fR=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQriMN7er05RmsE3CZNgATvNe53Rv1MfLr32q91y3RyCCByWBh8v8Gcs-DItBHn6FKA3wsoN4kjfb3pm4j8ycm2T8u0WZNzaZMpzENZdKsPUfMQ0Kn73P_SqXLxZJGBZlD3R-UOIg3zIn_w4JugXrNKQchr4hLVbB3O1G_XzGU_w0Fhmdv36OsW1fR=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifrVucO2ZsyXm3f4E6j3GBmr1jjZBaLtD7Z1QLDelQcb-zFnP7W5MF9m5nIxOca3y8z8M_msoZLZqzS2G94XeiHkVskbyBauk3ilVac7J_HVm5XKqc7x_VHzTaxENfeTcByiUKb2smnMKKzlFRQK8_R5VrW7NZ25afNO-zAhbVgGm4LlrxbfH218CR=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="800" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifrVucO2ZsyXm3f4E6j3GBmr1jjZBaLtD7Z1QLDelQcb-zFnP7W5MF9m5nIxOca3y8z8M_msoZLZqzS2G94XeiHkVskbyBauk3ilVac7J_HVm5XKqc7x_VHzTaxENfeTcByiUKb2smnMKKzlFRQK8_R5VrW7NZ25afNO-zAhbVgGm4LlrxbfH218CR=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg36VVN77qho2OlWu_uL1ZutVuvRFw6cC2qBSsovaAUIEb9hmBZckG_c0MPOr2ebVLd4hV1B5rMKGhVjkOhgom4F8Ta0agoOk0xDDKwa7wgK8K0FN0MGDG3jA5OV7cRTPHDab2Dff2P68AmzkQH4V633kvbRMfBlToJhiXA-nVzafLgYD3Y6a1WRjV3=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg36VVN77qho2OlWu_uL1ZutVuvRFw6cC2qBSsovaAUIEb9hmBZckG_c0MPOr2ebVLd4hV1B5rMKGhVjkOhgom4F8Ta0agoOk0xDDKwa7wgK8K0FN0MGDG3jA5OV7cRTPHDab2Dff2P68AmzkQH4V633kvbRMfBlToJhiXA-nVzafLgYD3Y6a1WRjV3=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">A trip to Sheppey on 08/08/21 and I found this Cut leaved Dead Nettle. It looks different to Red Dead Nettle in that it rarely has more than 2-3 flowers open at any one time. They are smaller than usual and of course, the leaves are much more dissected than usual too.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfHm-VZOXGoyCEDCIL9Pqyutl2Teungg8U5s2WS6rdIR0gM3NYNIjQtQ2BqNjhX73Tbhg3NF_NdxBQdJ8UiSjFWmouHV8RNkvxjVoJE_VliKYXRR933909TnP18pQXFH4rQggzQ5s15OrIvNZVx01564Ip3k-NHus0ADvBApR1cHNpg7gWaAkXvg62=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfHm-VZOXGoyCEDCIL9Pqyutl2Teungg8U5s2WS6rdIR0gM3NYNIjQtQ2BqNjhX73Tbhg3NF_NdxBQdJ8UiSjFWmouHV8RNkvxjVoJE_VliKYXRR933909TnP18pQXFH4rQggzQ5s15OrIvNZVx01564Ip3k-NHus0ADvBApR1cHNpg7gWaAkXvg62=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I picked a leaf to show the dissected nature of them more clearly.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lamium hybridum</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkCtkf2mItpzIkY-yhz-GUCzPoHvRCADpKwooD6MQSvuOhc2Iv5TzlpzKtvN91W3sOZhgUdEeBm4NHe8hs3ZToZcG6TIMNT87rlNvRGvEfeNeI4WAv3TVcfNdgdoB2tnJecDghLzIhNhKoW-vSihehTdhEgFckm0qhQC8DQhU2HtldyKn4NHLpF0cs=s804" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkCtkf2mItpzIkY-yhz-GUCzPoHvRCADpKwooD6MQSvuOhc2Iv5TzlpzKtvN91W3sOZhgUdEeBm4NHe8hs3ZToZcG6TIMNT87rlNvRGvEfeNeI4WAv3TVcfNdgdoB2tnJecDghLzIhNhKoW-vSihehTdhEgFckm0qhQC8DQhU2HtldyKn4NHLpF0cs=w398-h400" width="398" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Some Catmint was found on a rural road verge. I didn't photograph the whole plant as it had recently been squashed as a tractor had run them over! The plant was still alive, so likely to set seed.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Nepeta cataria</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic7PA3G652-SbuUPLFYAU3E3E45zrcDAn4V1LWMThPLEEouGGzhJIXAGZOXP4bzFJ8M5iYN-cXle-tuczmXsiNU5hIm47SQc1SpOOK1lFUZ7GmVW-jeW67UClXplGAfbtikKAGIALPjO6L-WB4YK_zHLmuOanNmo2sI1Gxf1CxgVpCyn8bT8QNcgss=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic7PA3G652-SbuUPLFYAU3E3E45zrcDAn4V1LWMThPLEEouGGzhJIXAGZOXP4bzFJ8M5iYN-cXle-tuczmXsiNU5hIm47SQc1SpOOK1lFUZ7GmVW-jeW67UClXplGAfbtikKAGIALPjO6L-WB4YK_zHLmuOanNmo2sI1Gxf1CxgVpCyn8bT8QNcgss=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">On the 12th August I attended a field trip with the Kent Botanical Recording Group to record the NT Sissinghurst esate. A new plant for me was Chaffweed, a small plant that is prostrate and is a lookalike to Scarlet Pimpernels or possible Common Chickweed when flowers aren't present. However, Sue Buckingham kindly showed me what to look for, for a quick identification. Most leaves have an edging of black dots. You can see these on the upper leaves in the photo. Hopefully, I might find some in flower too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lysimachia minima</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0NoGVeZHSdBmOEdqULPdYis1mcC9O2oVPhVGCY6Hozgcqg4tFOvq5k6eJ7KTBQxj5Vz84AUOom6ZSolE88wcPdPjkuYK9FbNlrGnQhziGyVLmosY6NaiWqK0S3tj0Tbswdg3rU0aNHWHawVEEWM64_87maVOt807urNfEk4H4E3PHXUpqg5uKt411=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0NoGVeZHSdBmOEdqULPdYis1mcC9O2oVPhVGCY6Hozgcqg4tFOvq5k6eJ7KTBQxj5Vz84AUOom6ZSolE88wcPdPjkuYK9FbNlrGnQhziGyVLmosY6NaiWqK0S3tj0Tbswdg3rU0aNHWHawVEEWM64_87maVOt807urNfEk4H4E3PHXUpqg5uKt411=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Water Purslane is another small plant that likes acid soils. It produces flowers and then seeds (as shown below) in the leaf axils. It's small and low growing and is usually in very damp areas. It likes wet tractor ruts that's for sure.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <i>Lythrum portula </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6a5T56dx8M81mtn9DDqrlVE7aJNFLtIgV6g2HtVEQ109ISSOJeDLVQ2S5-gz9eR4aLzGQVGjObZp2J-ZVZ9kDOV4WYim8r43HKWxJMVb8riAPUFv3s4rGW7O9hq0WKelE0DrO0tscREQs1Zm7PDuT4BY2VrUGl2hMRbYGNbLuv05jESUGXtZVigmM=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6a5T56dx8M81mtn9DDqrlVE7aJNFLtIgV6g2HtVEQ109ISSOJeDLVQ2S5-gz9eR4aLzGQVGjObZp2J-ZVZ9kDOV4WYim8r43HKWxJMVb8riAPUFv3s4rGW7O9hq0WKelE0DrO0tscREQs1Zm7PDuT4BY2VrUGl2hMRbYGNbLuv05jESUGXtZVigmM=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVv8smNmANEKofpJlhB3dk_kdBvHVYHesTPtX8_f6GrTdSkqn4YF_X0O9nzpNlRR7es1S3TFAJ4B6Qzpjquq86wovG3QxlM_14izRwa1sEcDXHJWGqm-yY0P7FMzfR_yv2bG4P1DDrzEKauZkou6y-Q8Y-KkDHOpzW79npWnj8t1ZLDuwBfP8Hagg-=s889" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVv8smNmANEKofpJlhB3dk_kdBvHVYHesTPtX8_f6GrTdSkqn4YF_X0O9nzpNlRR7es1S3TFAJ4B6Qzpjquq86wovG3QxlM_14izRwa1sEcDXHJWGqm-yY0P7FMzfR_yv2bG4P1DDrzEKauZkou6y-Q8Y-KkDHOpzW79npWnj8t1ZLDuwBfP8Hagg-=w576-h640" width="576" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> My final field trip with the Kent Botanical Recording Group to Sissinghurst, before I move out of the area. It was sad to say goodbye, but everything moves on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjehQaFDc0nwG1OtNzDvtCsUtJ96uUyPbl9ZZo37-BhoabSfiSLGiLoSVYRaLa0EsXvXMYnTCzXctL6BIO0fTDZT7ZmbIadxadkfuwNClnAaPzMEGdMzPl53kU2798QPBhBcIbzp-OC8mTg2tmm7zurtf3OXhYaPmwh0_29X1naDw1zZeNcmGxc9Rp2=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjehQaFDc0nwG1OtNzDvtCsUtJ96uUyPbl9ZZo37-BhoabSfiSLGiLoSVYRaLa0EsXvXMYnTCzXctL6BIO0fTDZT7ZmbIadxadkfuwNClnAaPzMEGdMzPl53kU2798QPBhBcIbzp-OC8mTg2tmm7zurtf3OXhYaPmwh0_29X1naDw1zZeNcmGxc9Rp2=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The star find (though expected) was of a few patches of flowering Ivy-leaved Bellflower, a rare plant and one I'd not seen before. I was struck by how small the flowers were. One would likely notice the odd shape of the leaves before even seeing a flower. The flowers were like miniature Harebells to which they are of course related.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgS6I33jkCMQg7S0lhaySmLzDOskLA9aeLLudwqUUbY7ek2_BNhLKt5RWOiWbiD_qDbGSfiABkxFDs441Na7jwwVD4x1Ej__A6BD2UiqjY-blFJJuejsl-zLHAWxt3Iv5hE796PqBvBcKr8mjgEm758IxFrwtvR8BbhZ5xdPyQPHk1p4sPcRn1LJO_P=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgS6I33jkCMQg7S0lhaySmLzDOskLA9aeLLudwqUUbY7ek2_BNhLKt5RWOiWbiD_qDbGSfiABkxFDs441Na7jwwVD4x1Ej__A6BD2UiqjY-blFJJuejsl-zLHAWxt3Iv5hE796PqBvBcKr8mjgEm758IxFrwtvR8BbhZ5xdPyQPHk1p4sPcRn1LJO_P=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The plant intertwining them below are the leaves of Yellow Pimpernel (<i>Lysimachia nemorum</i>)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEgejR-a16UceqD18ztsFUvm9CyVSNn012U6UWLwByR2E7r2UPskwUiEBN99FkYvCZ73WZwuJuI7DEKW7NPsoj1bJ6zdUDINswqLODd0ih1RW-tKseh2tNhgPKKj5m4w6_q5VlSm4UmYUbgVH2fFmeyRgKIVj0qaTQxSQNmke_2zS4vr3wEXVh85_3=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEgejR-a16UceqD18ztsFUvm9CyVSNn012U6UWLwByR2E7r2UPskwUiEBN99FkYvCZ73WZwuJuI7DEKW7NPsoj1bJ6zdUDINswqLODd0ih1RW-tKseh2tNhgPKKj5m4w6_q5VlSm4UmYUbgVH2fFmeyRgKIVj0qaTQxSQNmke_2zS4vr3wEXVh85_3=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Wahlenbergia hederacea</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Habitat, showing the recent coppicing and rapid re-growth of Betula species.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHPuCiiKhTfFrZhyskh7kbAbRxJJi1wDjVT1ie7gVHon6OVXWhXtvmn4vxsyjaLRNLmOEeY-t4Th1KXlzSiVM6Ajdd-9ziEHO-UrHEqXbVKWPoefOB-yVbWBHqvkEJZazfZahTfYKCAUb6bsTe64BiKSkN-0jm7zlFvCQf4D6pBpOdjRkdf3IEaRqQ=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHPuCiiKhTfFrZhyskh7kbAbRxJJi1wDjVT1ie7gVHon6OVXWhXtvmn4vxsyjaLRNLmOEeY-t4Th1KXlzSiVM6Ajdd-9ziEHO-UrHEqXbVKWPoefOB-yVbWBHqvkEJZazfZahTfYKCAUb6bsTe64BiKSkN-0jm7zlFvCQf4D6pBpOdjRkdf3IEaRqQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwKlzqG7mwWA2w-_mSh0OIlP31jVtyHmQTZc7eq2p0bws-IAgNfB-8ZE68lgXeQ10XpCdS36QWlnKU28zEN-BWr7mCSkkLeUTQtnKyy056ONvTcv6HF3nuBIB0sv2EIJL_c6sNcfWBiZcUpmzpi3dq-UcyU2QFMpzhTSxullLFRlHOwCLh0osYxcGd=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwKlzqG7mwWA2w-_mSh0OIlP31jVtyHmQTZc7eq2p0bws-IAgNfB-8ZE68lgXeQ10XpCdS36QWlnKU28zEN-BWr7mCSkkLeUTQtnKyy056ONvTcv6HF3nuBIB0sv2EIJL_c6sNcfWBiZcUpmzpi3dq-UcyU2QFMpzhTSxullLFRlHOwCLh0osYxcGd=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRP0BiFXW_qTz9TwuVLhQJQPPOQ3Kj5FYfWv1EIkaYREGSgItrBAadQWQjusSzGJC5EuNRLlUcoUg3rrkFMM7FhYIcPrS7B1mtCenFeMlRx-1u7Au992S1adNgFnwinb-xHg_-hJ2NyxE1If7nSW8JTjllflZxdLlR1Z3C379FNt8-vDRUnKdqLkcD=s944" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRP0BiFXW_qTz9TwuVLhQJQPPOQ3Kj5FYfWv1EIkaYREGSgItrBAadQWQjusSzGJC5EuNRLlUcoUg3rrkFMM7FhYIcPrS7B1mtCenFeMlRx-1u7Au992S1adNgFnwinb-xHg_-hJ2NyxE1If7nSW8JTjllflZxdLlR1Z3C379FNt8-vDRUnKdqLkcD=w339-h400" width="339" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Common Cow-Wheat is a rare plant and hard to find, so it's nice to stumbe across some. This was in an area of woodland near Sissinghurst with virtually no under story plant community at all. Handy then that they parasitise woody species. Holly and Common Oak were nearby.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdYEsluhD7uLb5tGMrhmhbeVhrtfVV6ffJlkDYUO7XO1C3uXsGjCDOjm0XVwlRtYzYtyjbPWUV7GE_x1lS9z9W4Z99H6Aqm1L7YWX_1dANxC4U7oCNisnDcWM96OZiM-Gr9T6E44xaD7Azaz4okO4VXAaY3-bKel2220Lr0HG8h6PSwXmkzh631F-L=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdYEsluhD7uLb5tGMrhmhbeVhrtfVV6ffJlkDYUO7XO1C3uXsGjCDOjm0XVwlRtYzYtyjbPWUV7GE_x1lS9z9W4Z99H6Aqm1L7YWX_1dANxC4U7oCNisnDcWM96OZiM-Gr9T6E44xaD7Azaz4okO4VXAaY3-bKel2220Lr0HG8h6PSwXmkzh631F-L=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAwcP12Bi2tiGKDnWrQqCwBEjjV9PGnT8vRVhvozVguCnIl-80t68nufmXICGYZWcMpVamCNVFw6m-L0QfLVoqdCsljqePZwrGCfDt79e2C8HOGTdM2X1qPRT9LU5N-dTRN_Zav6sivf8_T_QiLebjzwhiK3SiJPG-xaZ9M3UNAxmtCFta-rj-MrGa=s800" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAwcP12Bi2tiGKDnWrQqCwBEjjV9PGnT8vRVhvozVguCnIl-80t68nufmXICGYZWcMpVamCNVFw6m-L0QfLVoqdCsljqePZwrGCfDt79e2C8HOGTdM2X1qPRT9LU5N-dTRN_Zav6sivf8_T_QiLebjzwhiK3SiJPG-xaZ9M3UNAxmtCFta-rj-MrGa=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p><i>Melampyrum pratense, ssp pratense</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Greater Burnet Saxifrage grew in abundance on a rural road verge near Sissinghurst. The purple flowers are Purple Loosestrife (<i>Lythrum salicaria</i>).<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Pimpinella major</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8M3jR806SC4mtA8dHcbpeZFwFQPdAshcAAlJjgBCC16N8iKPxEYql3v-4OmOd3SEygllzK_lSLUxOHDw0jnD25UyqQGa-C2aqN3AVqk9X8kJd6-eiwRLiO4FJYVUH-59z2YHSQ60QM5hAD9ZEfLqLuAwLlyNfPh23zz3p5dtXGN-1HYXkG5UQos3j=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8M3jR806SC4mtA8dHcbpeZFwFQPdAshcAAlJjgBCC16N8iKPxEYql3v-4OmOd3SEygllzK_lSLUxOHDw0jnD25UyqQGa-C2aqN3AVqk9X8kJd6-eiwRLiO4FJYVUH-59z2YHSQ60QM5hAD9ZEfLqLuAwLlyNfPh23zz3p5dtXGN-1HYXkG5UQos3j=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Near the end of the month, I visited the area of the Medway Bridges near Cuxton. On rabbit scraped chalk turf, I found some Basil Thyme, another rare plant in Kent and quite tiny.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Clinopodium acinos</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi29wQwsg9Tf6bCUWwWIErv79BjBAN24eAP787wDflDZ0mY9J9_Y8WZ3nv-Fr3Ju1dqozY7s4rNsZIYZ4ClEDlf6FzIbseulAxDh0Ymn9SzVtlKWvigkeXz8aVD0H2MPXcCnVZCKOWE4GOBfXjYmJDgGNx2bnpSarLZw-AuL-MJn2cXh7ELXD6GSaQe=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="800" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi29wQwsg9Tf6bCUWwWIErv79BjBAN24eAP787wDflDZ0mY9J9_Y8WZ3nv-Fr3Ju1dqozY7s4rNsZIYZ4ClEDlf6FzIbseulAxDh0Ymn9SzVtlKWvigkeXz8aVD0H2MPXcCnVZCKOWE4GOBfXjYmJDgGNx2bnpSarLZw-AuL-MJn2cXh7ELXD6GSaQe=w640-h520" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The area shown below had thousands of Common Cudweed plants, an amazing amount. It is more usual to find perhaps a dozen or so plants.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_K3BmKjsr2NY2GGG-oOGB8sbUtgPod3jREff6wXZ8VyBg98jR9YpSejEo-T42ZrJ_uSbJ2FTCKfaCOYZNLFi-k2D_2IVhDS-4q2NLx3k6CwEsg_D4eQJOa-5YLvEctkQOE85kW1hb22Xbz5XD2jC6JRzQh2iFnBRTvO4X4qUnzwGn13hRr53Th8zT=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_K3BmKjsr2NY2GGG-oOGB8sbUtgPod3jREff6wXZ8VyBg98jR9YpSejEo-T42ZrJ_uSbJ2FTCKfaCOYZNLFi-k2D_2IVhDS-4q2NLx3k6CwEsg_D4eQJOa-5YLvEctkQOE85kW1hb22Xbz5XD2jC6JRzQh2iFnBRTvO4X4qUnzwGn13hRr53Th8zT=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Filago germanica</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">(previously<i> Filago vulgaris</i>)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXrZ4g1FqLYMNeqmGkUViffJVn3r6DIuvuRXv1LTaaPIn3AGMHVNpbxkubWkUlvu5NJ32MFIZhaCtdt8KRxLg_GMEwjx1gAKZNKLFThzEcELu_1FVl1aC1LkGKGAnewlo0UiAfnZDIFR0eT-WkruRZN4fQxA2lkqt_yvt-IPQ6TcAscTHJEquTFuXl=s1065" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXrZ4g1FqLYMNeqmGkUViffJVn3r6DIuvuRXv1LTaaPIn3AGMHVNpbxkubWkUlvu5NJ32MFIZhaCtdt8KRxLg_GMEwjx1gAKZNKLFThzEcELu_1FVl1aC1LkGKGAnewlo0UiAfnZDIFR0eT-WkruRZN4fQxA2lkqt_yvt-IPQ6TcAscTHJEquTFuXl=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1wF8upcPtYGKFJoS3_me3P_6wLORy0fQEaTrF-RoHAPPiDTNP5D5n_AMCteUN9CIicuZrHEGGNxQw6ubt1h8-Duc7mXNbQ3padpOpWqz5YWVYcN4OXufX5MVm9nLzpvX11-a7jPLygYpVPpVooqOrxflyltueUX282fnJWXZB0M4T10eFN9C0qRAO=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1wF8upcPtYGKFJoS3_me3P_6wLORy0fQEaTrF-RoHAPPiDTNP5D5n_AMCteUN9CIicuZrHEGGNxQw6ubt1h8-Duc7mXNbQ3padpOpWqz5YWVYcN4OXufX5MVm9nLzpvX11-a7jPLygYpVPpVooqOrxflyltueUX282fnJWXZB0M4T10eFN9C0qRAO=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">If that wasn't spectacular enough, in amongst them were dozens of the new arrival on the block, Jersey Cudweed. Currently shown as rare, it won't be for long, as it is spreading throughout the county rapidly.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> Laphangium luteoalbum </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgOw0boiTD_FVEEeDEpyKY2PSFQQHA7fqFvYNXdvpRh-dwJkoCYHPSm3wenYNDXxtIYetxHDNM5BZynQMHpBj6-UI1K2_wA8tMlTT5h-f6djctwoItNY_HEnuhz9zN-xcn7hD0tuF-1Byc4qFO3aMe_SYysPQi40WOTkYs68l951Jf7QCsF1ihF7ux=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgOw0boiTD_FVEEeDEpyKY2PSFQQHA7fqFvYNXdvpRh-dwJkoCYHPSm3wenYNDXxtIYetxHDNM5BZynQMHpBj6-UI1K2_wA8tMlTT5h-f6djctwoItNY_HEnuhz9zN-xcn7hD0tuF-1Byc4qFO3aMe_SYysPQi40WOTkYs68l951Jf7QCsF1ihF7ux=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNndWUSC_2DeNXiFsq5DeC8p4TxF1p5KtZ0GlbqIHuPFOpTTz2xCIfz6Hq7396SNLs92ZN0x-20DtohMBa9bzeKNpwStYxaan0kWQh6H_WVfayazdyl_TKNUulm-edIrVBLZW9l9wH3mGlIgWzE-GdEStNIfgz2VnUdWhGmnPPQMmXfO2HPCfXKQKD=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNndWUSC_2DeNXiFsq5DeC8p4TxF1p5KtZ0GlbqIHuPFOpTTz2xCIfz6Hq7396SNLs92ZN0x-20DtohMBa9bzeKNpwStYxaan0kWQh6H_WVfayazdyl_TKNUulm-edIrVBLZW9l9wH3mGlIgWzE-GdEStNIfgz2VnUdWhGmnPPQMmXfO2HPCfXKQKD=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />Another plant I have found more frequently of late in the area is Four Leaved Allseed. These were growing under the bridges themselves in a very dry area. I guess this was mimicking a block paving habitat which is where it is usually found.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Polycarpon tetraphyllum</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitXT-MLkdY2pUqMtQm3qFv73M-16vAkmYi69JaKY7ONcsVqIBK-UWWuWroBMYKco6ushRmMhSyWc_OI0Fu7OxOUbtdC49XfFCD7bJkfeac3NFeV4Dz8rtdu-nWphMZxQpSK3OyTOwb10vo7x3vVNp6UV5In8pSGhTicNxwyffSG-YnvMecvy5g0fK9=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="800" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitXT-MLkdY2pUqMtQm3qFv73M-16vAkmYi69JaKY7ONcsVqIBK-UWWuWroBMYKco6ushRmMhSyWc_OI0Fu7OxOUbtdC49XfFCD7bJkfeac3NFeV4Dz8rtdu-nWphMZxQpSK3OyTOwb10vo7x3vVNp6UV5In8pSGhTicNxwyffSG-YnvMecvy5g0fK9=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It's not always about the plants. Here's a female Southern Hawker Dragonfly recently emerged and drying its wings near Tunbridge Wells at the end of August.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4P2rGe7iK_qVXlh25FFK4wuUur3x6NDZJEgdFfdHEtJkJBojz3z2T0vCygHV1N3p-cBh5g5ioU7p7VpzxogK0b0aGZlbT70ZsHvv5bk78peFv22Q1awmHYPr6ztnCvhaIyKX_9q6GIYRsqt5moceE62oLKRNDoEcXNIy5DEq8lqNsnGRINUDPITXU=s1065" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4P2rGe7iK_qVXlh25FFK4wuUur3x6NDZJEgdFfdHEtJkJBojz3z2T0vCygHV1N3p-cBh5g5ioU7p7VpzxogK0b0aGZlbT70ZsHvv5bk78peFv22Q1awmHYPr6ztnCvhaIyKX_9q6GIYRsqt5moceE62oLKRNDoEcXNIy5DEq8lqNsnGRINUDPITXU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>That about sums up August. Summer is usually enjoyable. Thankfully, in Kent it didn't get too hot to go out this year as it has in the recent past. I dread to think what it was like in Canada which had temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Celsius though. Let's hope this doesn't happen here!</p><p><br /></p><p>I hope you enjoyed the blog and the remainder of the year will follow soon.</p><p>Take Care</p><p>Dave<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-60488536016978791142021-08-22T22:23:00.002+00:002023-03-29T22:06:44.895+00:00July 2021 - Botanical Finds from Kent<p style="text-align: center;"> It is of course peak season for wildflowers and trying to sort out what to include and what to leave out is difficult. I hope you like the final selection below.<br /></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Yellow Bartsia is a plant that eluded me for several years. I failed to
find it at three other sites where it had previously been found. By happy chance though, I found several
hundred growing on railway land near Shorne, ironically, not too far away from my home area.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWx5bCn4xlI/YSK2Bkr71AI/AAAAAAAAQc0/YDbrWpRU67U34hRIBAvX_S1cXUUbs-_RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1018/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BTQ68206955%2BShorne%2BA2%2Binterchange%2B010721G.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWx5bCn4xlI/YSK2Bkr71AI/AAAAAAAAQc0/YDbrWpRU67U34hRIBAvX_S1cXUUbs-_RQCLcBGAsYHQ/w502-h640/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BTQ68206955%2BShorne%2BA2%2Binterchange%2B010721G.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"> <i>Parentucellia viscosa </i></p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RPpcPdDmaY/YSK28AfW9EI/AAAAAAAAQdE/NCnDA4k__rogZdLl-I30n5eNOVwTuiu_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BTQ68206955%2BShorne%2BA2%2Binterchange%2B010721f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RPpcPdDmaY/YSK28AfW9EI/AAAAAAAAQdE/NCnDA4k__rogZdLl-I30n5eNOVwTuiu_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BTQ68206955%2BShorne%2BA2%2Binterchange%2B010721f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">There is a small reserve near Kemsing on the North Downs chalk stuffed full of orchids including Bee, Man, Greater Butterfly, Common Spotted, Chalk Fragrant, Pyramidal and others. Here is an all white variant of a Chalk Fragrant Orchid from this amazing venue. It is also the only orchid I am including here as I have posted so many in the past, I am now trying to show different plants of interest when I can.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Gymnadenia conopsea</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LEO-9lTyeM/YSK3QbAmmqI/AAAAAAAAQdM/fI1Ah5S52FsBap8yvy0TG7NiN2PUg-0rgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BTQ5460%2BMagpie%2BBottom%2B020721b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LEO-9lTyeM/YSK3QbAmmqI/AAAAAAAAQdM/fI1Ah5S52FsBap8yvy0TG7NiN2PUg-0rgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BTQ5460%2BMagpie%2BBottom%2B020721b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">A trip along the Thames near Greenhithe produced some of these weird looking little pea plants, Yellow Vetchling. The leaves are actually tendrils and what looks like leaves are enlarged stipules.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lathyrus aphaca</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-dzOLhtJVU/YSK4kwW9jcI/AAAAAAAAQdk/eEBon9XTwE42g-cWDJ4mfZGfvZ5f9izRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BLathyrus%2Baphaca%2BYellow%2Bvetchling%2BTQ5775%2BStone%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-dzOLhtJVU/YSK4kwW9jcI/AAAAAAAAQdk/eEBon9XTwE42g-cWDJ4mfZGfvZ5f9izRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BLathyrus%2Baphaca%2BYellow%2Bvetchling%2BTQ5775%2BStone%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Another plant I found was English Scurvygrass. It is the only large scurvygrass found here as Common Scurvygrass has only a Western distribution.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cochlearia anglica</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWogHa3LDQc/YSK4_Y2rysI/AAAAAAAAQds/uJp0c2OJzpE_C2EveTLXgEtqYpOjJyxZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCochlearia%2Banglica%2BEnglish%2BScurvygrass%2BTQ5875%2BGreenhithe%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWogHa3LDQc/YSK4_Y2rysI/AAAAAAAAQds/uJp0c2OJzpE_C2EveTLXgEtqYpOjJyxZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BCochlearia%2Banglica%2BEnglish%2BScurvygrass%2BTQ5875%2BGreenhithe%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Thames foreshore had some nice Sand Lucernes too, including several with flowers having different colours but on the same plant. The one below had the added bonus of the colours also being metallic! I also found a yellow and blue flower combination on a plant.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Medicago sativa subsp. varia</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulILCI5RfM8/YSK5K-6UHPI/AAAAAAAAQdw/8JsIToyyGXoBcDB_sc03qDOP7G_7bZiKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMedicago%2Bsativa%2Bssp%2Bvaria%2BSand%2BLucerne%2Bdual%2Bcolour%2BTQ5875%2BGreenhithe%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulILCI5RfM8/YSK5K-6UHPI/AAAAAAAAQdw/8JsIToyyGXoBcDB_sc03qDOP7G_7bZiKQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BMedicago%2Bsativa%2Bssp%2Bvaria%2BSand%2BLucerne%2Bdual%2Bcolour%2BTQ5875%2BGreenhithe%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I had read about Evening Primroses being difficult to identify and that they hybridised amongst each other. However, up until now I had not had any issues in identifying ones I had found. It was clear though now, that I had found a hybrid along the Thames foreshore, and by elimination of examining various parts of the plant I came up with Large flowered x Common Evening Primrose hybrid.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This was later confirmed and had previouslly been found in the same area before which helped. Of course, I took many more photos than just this one, but this photo shows the whole plant and it doesn't fit any one species.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <i>Oenothera biennis x glazioviana = O. x fallax </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QosNkn8QbhE/YSK6c9JFt5I/AAAAAAAAQeE/LIwle9V25_MR42CD1b5ufQ_Qej4EAiZfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BOenothera%2Bbiennis%2Bx%2Bglazioviana%2B%253D%2BO%2Bx%2Bfallax%2BLarge%2Bflowered%2Bx%2BCommon%2BEvening%2BPrimrose%2Bhybrid%2BTQ5775%2BStone%2Bnorth%2B040721b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QosNkn8QbhE/YSK6c9JFt5I/AAAAAAAAQeE/LIwle9V25_MR42CD1b5ufQ_Qej4EAiZfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BOenothera%2Bbiennis%2Bx%2Bglazioviana%2B%253D%2BO%2Bx%2Bfallax%2BLarge%2Bflowered%2Bx%2BCommon%2BEvening%2BPrimrose%2Bhybrid%2BTQ5775%2BStone%2Bnorth%2B040721b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">If you find this next plant on or near a saltmarsh, it is Sea Arrowgrass. The flower spike arises from a clump of fairly fine grass like leaves (one blade can be seen in the photo too). It was found with Sea Plantain and other common salt marsh plants.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trigochin maritima</i><br /></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynE1v4XS0RA/YSK63jo56NI/AAAAAAAAQeQ/wLFVvmWoQI04FyJKnbj4hs8gbZOKihlowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BTrigochin%2Bmaritima%2BSea%2BArrowgrass%2BTQ5875%2BGreenhithe%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynE1v4XS0RA/YSK63jo56NI/AAAAAAAAQeQ/wLFVvmWoQI04FyJKnbj4hs8gbZOKihlowCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BTrigochin%2Bmaritima%2BSea%2BArrowgrass%2BTQ5875%2BGreenhithe%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div></div><div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The last plant I will mention from here was Four Leaved Allseed, a very unusual plant for this area and no doubt brought in on the turf I found it in, on an industrial estate.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Polycarpon tetraphyllum</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOz4HQvhnY4/YSK7n-AL6_I/AAAAAAAAQeg/rBN9i17Xo0QjGt18pGmiKGQdvtjZZqJ2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BPolycarpon%2Btetraphyllum%2B%2BTQ5875%2BGreenhithe%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="800" height="636" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOz4HQvhnY4/YSK7n-AL6_I/AAAAAAAAQeg/rBN9i17Xo0QjGt18pGmiKGQdvtjZZqJ2wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h636/aaa%2BPolycarpon%2Btetraphyllum%2B%2BTQ5875%2BGreenhithe%2Bnorth%2B040721a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div></div><div><p style="text-align: center;">I am now back on the chalk in North Kent to find some Basil Thyme. I was pleased to find it as it had "gone missing" for a couple of years. It is one of those plants that needs disturbance for its seeds to germinate. In this case, rabbit activity did the job.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Clinopodium acinos</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTVUBX1jlQg/YSK8PNQlD7I/AAAAAAAAQes/gfPW7XtSPHEkCNoGxoMBQRmmVSiOPcuZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BClinopodium%2Bacinos%2BBasil%2BThyme%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B110721b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="800" height="468" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTVUBX1jlQg/YSK8PNQlD7I/AAAAAAAAQes/gfPW7XtSPHEkCNoGxoMBQRmmVSiOPcuZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h468/aaa%2BClinopodium%2Bacinos%2BBasil%2BThyme%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B110721b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The single spike of Lizard Orchid I found in North Kent near Longfield 2 years ago had this year spiralled up to the giddy heights of 6 spikes! I think this firmly evidences that this is a new colony and not a casual one off plant. The plant below was the final spike to be discovered. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Himantoglossum hircinum</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LouiwMp6Qo8/YSK8tgx71rI/AAAAAAAAQe0/ZyTX_Kr1VDgWp9i9QuBRnOVhWqxUTHRcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ59696948%2BLongfield%2B110721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LouiwMp6Qo8/YSK8tgx71rI/AAAAAAAAQe0/ZyTX_Kr1VDgWp9i9QuBRnOVhWqxUTHRcwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ59696948%2BLongfield%2B110721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">In the same area as the above orchid were at least 80 spikes of White Mullein, another rare plant in Kent. It is by far the biggest known colony in one place in VC15 or VC16.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJLjpe7_A1g/YSK9cCAHeDI/AAAAAAAAQe8/_l2q3dH2fEkJO2hc9WqA8EP8f9tIWoicgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Blychnitis%2BWhite%2BMullein%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B110721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJLjpe7_A1g/YSK9cCAHeDI/AAAAAAAAQe8/_l2q3dH2fEkJO2hc9WqA8EP8f9tIWoicgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Blychnitis%2BWhite%2BMullein%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B110721a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5hKlOKGEu8/YSK9yl7cwWI/AAAAAAAAQfE/wGLCarOdzYQ7_cdQZLTo0-NHXfJEQh3gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1168/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Blychnitis%2BWhite%2BMullein%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B110721b.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5hKlOKGEu8/YSK9yl7cwWI/AAAAAAAAQfE/wGLCarOdzYQ7_cdQZLTo0-NHXfJEQh3gQCLcBGAsYHQ/w274-h400/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Blychnitis%2BWhite%2BMullein%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B110721b.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><br /><p><i>Verbascum lychnitis</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Half way through July and a visit to Dungeness brings forth the usual multitude of botanical amazement. Here's a Carline Thistle which when fresh look dead! This one is in full flower and unusually, the florets are white. They are usually purple. They still look dead though!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Carlina vulgaris</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7SD8Kkrh-U/YSK-iGYWRCI/AAAAAAAAQfM/cHAx1yzbxi8qyvyjsuCD7vTXwrAYSuNOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCarlina%2Bvulgaris%2BCarline%2BThistle%2BTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7SD8Kkrh-U/YSK-iGYWRCI/AAAAAAAAQfM/cHAx1yzbxi8qyvyjsuCD7vTXwrAYSuNOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BCarlina%2Bvulgaris%2BCarline%2BThistle%2BTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">There is a population of a 100 plus of these beautiful and rare Red Hemp-Nettles at Dungeness. However, they are confined to one small area and to my mind this makes them vulnerable to being accidentally wiped out at a later date. I do hope that doesn't happen.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Galeopsis angustifolia</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66XR5zzWk0E/YSK_J---VyI/AAAAAAAAQfU/WIFqwGNM9PoIOZMHNRtt9P__LX6VDtJ0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BGaleopsis%2Bangustifolia%2BRed%2BHemp%2BNettle%2BTR08431662%2BDungeness%2B170721b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66XR5zzWk0E/YSK_J---VyI/AAAAAAAAQfU/WIFqwGNM9PoIOZMHNRtt9P__LX6VDtJ0QCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BGaleopsis%2Bangustifolia%2BRed%2BHemp%2BNettle%2BTR08431662%2BDungeness%2B170721b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div></div><div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Below, it is growing with <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> (Rock Samphire)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbwQ-D0bujg/YSK_nxUoiWI/AAAAAAAAQfc/DGYZOK1V3_4wmjL9sOALXMbuZ85tzPn1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BGaleopsis%2Bangustifolia%2BRed%2BHemp%2BNettle%2BTR08431662%2BDungeness%2B170721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="800" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbwQ-D0bujg/YSK_nxUoiWI/AAAAAAAAQfc/DGYZOK1V3_4wmjL9sOALXMbuZ85tzPn1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h408/aaa%2BGaleopsis%2Bangustifolia%2BRed%2BHemp%2BNettle%2BTR08431662%2BDungeness%2B170721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Parts of the shingle were awash with colour from Trifolium arvense (Hare's Foot Clover); Lotus corniculatus (Common Birdsfoot Trefoil) Daucus carota (Wild Carrot) and many more amazing plants.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdtO61qFiPw/YSK_84td_nI/AAAAAAAAQfk/iz-XYfFpnqUySqWrrdPPTCzumrDkm0oPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHaresfoot%2BClover%2Band%2Bassociated%2BfloraTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdtO61qFiPw/YSK_84td_nI/AAAAAAAAQfk/iz-XYfFpnqUySqWrrdPPTCzumrDkm0oPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHaresfoot%2BClover%2Band%2Bassociated%2BfloraTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Rough Clover was another prolific species in flower (and seed) here.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium scabrum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdxwN3BQ_3c/YSLAb9bcg4I/AAAAAAAAQfs/Yi3BJg5q2ZMsPDJMh0hBktMSd7LwHW4vACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHaresfoot%2BClover%2BTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdxwN3BQ_3c/YSLAb9bcg4I/AAAAAAAAQfs/Yi3BJg5q2ZMsPDJMh0hBktMSd7LwHW4vACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHaresfoot%2BClover%2BTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Patches of blue revealed Sheep's Bit with a backdrop of Nottingham Catchfly (<i>Silene nutans</i>) and English Stonecrop (<i>Sedum anglica</i>).</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzelTA7KVsI/YSLAsj4jJtI/AAAAAAAAQf0/yjW7ZgRrDkQOKxud0i53obgTGyAQ8IzvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BJasione%2Bmontana%2BSheeps%2BBit%2BTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzelTA7KVsI/YSLAsj4jJtI/AAAAAAAAQf0/yjW7ZgRrDkQOKxud0i53obgTGyAQ8IzvwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BJasione%2Bmontana%2BSheeps%2BBit%2BTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Jasione montana</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsHXW6rueAI/YSLBKsvxGgI/AAAAAAAAQf8/hBi3f85QvPAz-f4a3EAONY4ffsacyaTCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BJasione%2Bmontana%2BSheeps%2BBit%2BTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="800" height="498" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsHXW6rueAI/YSLBKsvxGgI/AAAAAAAAQf8/hBi3f85QvPAz-f4a3EAONY4ffsacyaTCwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h498/aaa%2BJasione%2Bmontana%2BSheeps%2BBit%2BTR0816%2BDungeness%2B170721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Back to North Kent and saltmarshes, this time in the Yantlet Creek area of Allhallows.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Here is Frosted Orache, a species not yet found inland to any degree, though with road salting it might colonise inland too like many other plants have now done. It gets its name due to a coating of white hairs giving it a frosted look. As it ages, most hairs will drop off.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Atriplex laciniata</i> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laIoVnaCpaA/YSLB3Q_5zdI/AAAAAAAAQgM/cPXmkZWcfNcnL9UVk1YVrRzSj7c3z6g2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAtriplex%2Blaciniata%2BFrosted%2BOrache%2BTQ8578%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2B180721c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laIoVnaCpaA/YSLB3Q_5zdI/AAAAAAAAQgM/cPXmkZWcfNcnL9UVk1YVrRzSj7c3z6g2wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BAtriplex%2Blaciniata%2BFrosted%2BOrache%2BTQ8578%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2B180721c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQTMmzFSG3c/YSLB3dDhTDI/AAAAAAAAQgQ/au_RkuCB_bQ5aen0Fqpy0rqniybHzriswCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAtriplex%2Blaciniata%2BFrosted%2BOrache%2BTQ8578%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2B180721f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQTMmzFSG3c/YSLB3dDhTDI/AAAAAAAAQgQ/au_RkuCB_bQ5aen0Fqpy0rqniybHzriswCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BAtriplex%2Blaciniata%2BFrosted%2BOrache%2BTQ8578%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2B180721f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Sea Holly is always nice to find, even more so well up an estuary and not on an open coastline. So I was rather pleased to find hundreds here growing nicely on a huge sand bar of shellgrit lifting them off the Thames tidal mud.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeUiPEcPluM/YSLCKbeSMUI/AAAAAAAAQgc/5CxWXi2WYF4xwdn-MIkrAa7IjAp9wdY8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BEryngium%2Bmaritimum%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ8578%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2B180721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeUiPEcPluM/YSLCKbeSMUI/AAAAAAAAQgc/5CxWXi2WYF4xwdn-MIkrAa7IjAp9wdY8ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BHabitat%2BEryngium%2Bmaritimum%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ8578%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2B180721a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The place was alive with bumblebees pollinating them.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Eryngium maritimum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NER_-qAM2HQ/YSLCfoor2pI/AAAAAAAAQgk/6_WIgiOyKxcE2xC0kyQNOcFuCLKNdnLRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bmaritimum%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ8578%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2B180721b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NER_-qAM2HQ/YSLCfoor2pI/AAAAAAAAQgk/6_WIgiOyKxcE2xC0kyQNOcFuCLKNdnLRQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bmaritimum%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ8578%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2B180721b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Water-crowfoots are notoriously difficult to identify and can also hybridise between species. Fortunately, this one matched everything in the books about it and it was Thread-leaved Water Crowfoot. It only has submerged leaves and very small flowers with gaps between the petals. I forget the shape of the nectary now, but that matched too. It was present with thousands of plants in one ditch alone.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ranunculus trichophyllus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SiBrap74l6I/YSLC9FvxE-I/AAAAAAAAQgs/SIZGhgV4dLMZfLEGEEaZOIXpyWBF6RsGACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Btrichophyllus%2BTHread%2BLvd%2BWater%2BCrowfoot%2BTQ8478%2BAllhallows%2BKingsmead%2B180721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SiBrap74l6I/YSLC9FvxE-I/AAAAAAAAQgs/SIZGhgV4dLMZfLEGEEaZOIXpyWBF6RsGACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Btrichophyllus%2BTHread%2BLvd%2BWater%2BCrowfoot%2BTQ8478%2BAllhallows%2BKingsmead%2B180721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">There were some interesting grasses here too. I found Wall, Meadow and Sea Barleys all growing within a 100 yards of each other, Timothy and Small Cat's Tail and some of this Annual Beard Grass too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Polypogon montspeliensis</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gesSpb4Bo00/YSLDw9MUmlI/AAAAAAAAQg0/2y3hF6GB0Nwsj7fpGSZjmzNZF4Rivj8ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BPolypogon%2Bmonspeliensis%2BAnnual%2BBeard%2BGrass%2BTQ8478%2BAllhallows%2BKingsmead%2B180721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gesSpb4Bo00/YSLDw9MUmlI/AAAAAAAAQg0/2y3hF6GB0Nwsj7fpGSZjmzNZF4Rivj8ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BPolypogon%2Bmonspeliensis%2BAnnual%2BBeard%2BGrass%2BTQ8478%2BAllhallows%2BKingsmead%2B180721.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Clover is commonly found on the back of the earthen sea walls here. The flower clusters look like small Red Clovers but with only half the number of flowers and more flat topped rather than globular. However, once in seed, they can't be mistaken for anything else (apart from a rare alien, Woolly Clover).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium fragiferum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1pdXFN4jho/YSLEXwlHvaI/AAAAAAAAQg8/BZh6paxIIiQ-9_XkgKNw1JLOmYt4UTWZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bfragiferum%2BStrawberry%2BClover%2BTQ8578%2BAllhallows%2BMarshes%2BNorth%2B180721b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1pdXFN4jho/YSLEXwlHvaI/AAAAAAAAQg8/BZh6paxIIiQ-9_XkgKNw1JLOmYt4UTWZgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bfragiferum%2BStrawberry%2BClover%2BTQ8578%2BAllhallows%2BMarshes%2BNorth%2B180721b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Of course, I found lots more, such as Sea Lavender, Golden Samphire, Sea Wormwood, Sea spurries and so on, but there isn't room for them this time. Here's a view of Yantlet Creek at low tide.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Nq2OLvr01s/YSLE82heBYI/AAAAAAAAQhE/PgtxlGGR_dQ0ehIIoJKNJFEiAydSipTywCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2BAllhallows%2BLondon%2BStone%2B180721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Nq2OLvr01s/YSLE82heBYI/AAAAAAAAQhE/PgtxlGGR_dQ0ehIIoJKNJFEiAydSipTywCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BYantlet%2BCreek%2BAllhallows%2BLondon%2BStone%2B180721a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">With July nearing its end, I was back in the Dartford area and found lots of Deadly Nightshade lining the banks of the River Darent. No berries were present yet, but they are a rich, shiny black and look quite enticing, though please remember they are deadly!<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Atropa belladonna </i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sen7e-JW_cA/YSLFV9TbenI/AAAAAAAAQhM/41Md_cB1yLMvxwQm5MVlsef6P5naK99_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAtropa%2Bbelladonna%2BDeadly%2BNightshade%2BTQ5472%2BBrooklands%2BSouth%2B240721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="800" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sen7e-JW_cA/YSLFV9TbenI/AAAAAAAAQhM/41Md_cB1yLMvxwQm5MVlsef6P5naK99_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h460/aaa%2BAtropa%2Bbelladonna%2BDeadly%2BNightshade%2BTQ5472%2BBrooklands%2BSouth%2B240721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Perhaps hinting at its tidal past before man made weirs were in place, large stands of Dittander were present, perhaps a mile upstream from the current tidal limits of the River Darent. In places it was like a drift of snow there were so many plants. New housing has already encroached on its habitat and no doubt in a few years will engulf and destroy it entirely. This area is seen as "waste ground" rather than what it really is, which is "bio-diverse".<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lepidium latifolium</i><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2phQfFMp2E/YSLGGa8358I/AAAAAAAAQhU/CYHuXHU4V4oMUfp5LDz8_4xZgZFhjdgBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLepidium%2Blatifolium%2BDittander%2BTQ5472%2BBrooklands%2BSouth%2B240721b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2phQfFMp2E/YSLGGa8358I/AAAAAAAAQhU/CYHuXHU4V4oMUfp5LDz8_4xZgZFhjdgBgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BLepidium%2Blatifolium%2BDittander%2BTQ5472%2BBrooklands%2BSouth%2B240721b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">And for the finale for July, it was back down to East Kent and Dengemarsh. I did a walk from Dengemarsh Road to the RSPB reserve and back. On the way I found some lovely plants including hundreds of the rare Marsh Mallow in full flower.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Althea officinalis</i><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30H5Lgj9RaA/YSLGnIdBojI/AAAAAAAAQhc/r1_r9sSGJKMp7fHtkwUIN4dz9uR12AoHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s836/aaa%2BAlthea%2Bofficinalis%2BMarsh%2BMallow%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30H5Lgj9RaA/YSLGnIdBojI/AAAAAAAAQhc/r1_r9sSGJKMp7fHtkwUIN4dz9uR12AoHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w612-h640/aaa%2BAlthea%2Bofficinalis%2BMarsh%2BMallow%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVIL4m4G9D0/YSLGnFRvBBI/AAAAAAAAQhg/OMdxpVtwkesOOOvQppB41lTOH0idR4p8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAlthea%2Bofficinalis%2BMarsh%2BMallow%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVIL4m4G9D0/YSLGnFRvBBI/AAAAAAAAQhg/OMdxpVtwkesOOOvQppB41lTOH0idR4p8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BAlthea%2Bofficinalis%2BMarsh%2BMallow%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">In several areas were Flowering Rush which usually grows well out of reach for any close ups photos. Here though, one grew in the edge and I could get closer for some decent photos of this colourful plant.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Butomus umbellatus</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knUSiaq5100/YSLHIxzqPvI/AAAAAAAAQhs/yHxWpjlfjIExtMyIvyA0Y0gKI6O7TJbXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BButomus%2Bumbellatus%2BFlowering%2BRush%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knUSiaq5100/YSLHIxzqPvI/AAAAAAAAQhs/yHxWpjlfjIExtMyIvyA0Y0gKI6O7TJbXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BButomus%2Bumbellatus%2BFlowering%2BRush%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Tubular Water Dropwort was in a few places in the dykes too. They are easily identified by the pom pom like clusters of flowers (usually in threes). Here's one after the seeds emerge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Oenanthe fistulosa</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-640yZdPHvkE/YSLHngc3joI/AAAAAAAAQh0/Spgs98S2pdUSZsq8YJpTxtGkOAV2bhncACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOenanthe%2Bfistulosa%2BTubular%2BWater%2BDropwort%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-640yZdPHvkE/YSLHngc3joI/AAAAAAAAQh0/Spgs98S2pdUSZsq8YJpTxtGkOAV2bhncACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BOenanthe%2Bfistulosa%2BTubular%2BWater%2BDropwort%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">A similar type of plant is Corky Fruited Water Dropwort and a find of this by one of the lakes was apparently a first for the Dungeness area and Romney Marsh as a whole (source: Owen Leyshon).</p><p style="text-align: center;">So that was a good find too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Oenanthe pimpinelloides </i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q71fzI1kxS0/YSLIbqFYaZI/AAAAAAAAQh8/T-wZRYaNgj8AWONf32ui0sUg5mYDGTN1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BOenanthe%2Bpimpinellloides%2BCorky%2Bfuited%2BWater%2BDropwort%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q71fzI1kxS0/YSLIbqFYaZI/AAAAAAAAQh8/T-wZRYaNgj8AWONf32ui0sUg5mYDGTN1wCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BOenanthe%2Bpimpinellloides%2BCorky%2Bfuited%2BWater%2BDropwort%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> I had often read about the terrestrial leaves of Amphibious Bistort, but had never actually seen them. When I did see this plant it was always in the water and behaving as it should. Here at Dengemarsh, it was left high and dry by receeding Summer water levels and looked like an overgrown Redshank on steroids as it was around 3 feet tall. In practice, you can't mistake it for anything else!<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Persicaria amphibia</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VL3cLa81oWQ/YSLIuPjDaqI/AAAAAAAAQiE/RHvUQUqTf78LElEyRi6b3EZQEy33e5LqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1067/aaa%2BPersicaria%2Bamphibia%2BAmphibious%2BBistort%2Bwith%2Bterrestrial%2Bleaves%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VL3cLa81oWQ/YSLIuPjDaqI/AAAAAAAAQiE/RHvUQUqTf78LElEyRi6b3EZQEy33e5LqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BPersicaria%2Bamphibia%2BAmphibious%2BBistort%2Bwith%2Bterrestrial%2Bleaves%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Here is how one usually finds it and this was only about 100 yards away from the one above. The small lily like leaves among it belong to Frogbit.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJMDNPBvIvo/YSLJVpqIntI/AAAAAAAAQiM/waZH1scrsFs-4r3v92l1yYxCIz0R5NnnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BPersicaria%2Bamphibia%2BAmphibious%2BBistort%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJMDNPBvIvo/YSLJVpqIntI/AAAAAAAAQiM/waZH1scrsFs-4r3v92l1yYxCIz0R5NnnwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BPersicaria%2Bamphibia%2BAmphibious%2BBistort%2BTR0518%2BDengemarsh%2B250721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">That concludes July 2021. I hope you enjoyed it. I could easily have made it three times longer, but these take a long time to write and compose, upload the photos and so on. Plus, I think, if the blog goes on for too long, some will lose interest. I hope you enjoyed it.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Take care</p><p style="text-align: left;">Dave<br /></p></div><div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-40251769144158556572021-07-26T18:17:00.005+00:002023-03-29T21:59:38.436+00:00June 2021 - Botanical Finds from Kent<p> Here is a round up of my best botanical finds for June, including beautiful, rare or amazing plants.</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">First up is Sea Clover, a Kent RPR species from the Isle of Grain. Too early here for seeds which in itself are distinctive, but the flowers are about half the size of Red Clover and look pinker.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <i>Trifolium squamosum</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEXTVqQ48R8/YP7kQA2ma-I/AAAAAAAAQWA/qqnC32o5RCAcYs1VVbYMaX9TabnNd1OjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bsquamosum%2BSea%2BClover%2BTQ89207648%2BGRain%2Beast%2B020621b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEXTVqQ48R8/YP7kQA2ma-I/AAAAAAAAQWA/qqnC32o5RCAcYs1VVbYMaX9TabnNd1OjQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bsquamosum%2BSea%2BClover%2BTQ89207648%2BGRain%2Beast%2B020621b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> It being June, I suppose there must be orchids! One of our most impressive is a hybrid between Common Spotted and Southern Marsh. They are usually much bigger than either parent, so are easy to find.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>D. x grandis</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqvJSRXKAsQ/YP7k1frFQhI/AAAAAAAAQWM/pBj5-5C6iPwIi7MednJyhwlVjdBSNunHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2Bpraetermissa%2B%253D%2BD%2Bx%2Bgrandis%2BTQ7062%2BKWT%2BHolborough%2BVC16%2B030621k2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqvJSRXKAsQ/YP7k1frFQhI/AAAAAAAAQWM/pBj5-5C6iPwIi7MednJyhwlVjdBSNunHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2Bpraetermissa%2B%253D%2BD%2Bx%2Bgrandis%2BTQ7062%2BKWT%2BHolborough%2BVC16%2B030621k2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> In a dry area not far away from this massive hybrid orchid was a stand of Man Orchids. These were quite fortunate, as a new road had been built missing them by yards. I do expect they will colonise the new road verge in the next years or so or at least until they scrub over in years to come.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Orchis anthropophora</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNibUFqamcU/YP7lRCObzRI/AAAAAAAAQWU/Qm9_PzWofB8bhnOXnQXQX3cp0waFL1ilgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrchis%2Banthropophora%2BTQ7062%2BKWT%2BHolborough%2BVC16%2B030621c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNibUFqamcU/YP7lRCObzRI/AAAAAAAAQWU/Qm9_PzWofB8bhnOXnQXQX3cp0waFL1ilgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BOrchis%2Banthropophora%2BTQ7062%2BKWT%2BHolborough%2BVC16%2B030621c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Knotted Clover on Littlestone Warren. Much smaller than inland specimens I've seen.<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium striatum</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYaaCtLUPvc/YP7l72olR4I/AAAAAAAAQWc/dWcPqrhqWOEZacxi-_QoOf7ENk-OPmeLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bstriatum%2BKnotted%2BClover%2BTR0826%2BLittlestone%2BWarren%2B050621e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYaaCtLUPvc/YP7l72olR4I/AAAAAAAAQWc/dWcPqrhqWOEZacxi-_QoOf7ENk-OPmeLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bstriatum%2BKnotted%2BClover%2BTR0826%2BLittlestone%2BWarren%2B050621e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Even smaller was Subterraneum Clover which buries its seeds in the ground. I've yet to find this when in seed, but then they are tiny and you'd have to actually look for it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium subterraneum</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnvlsV1nMkc/YP7mcchFYHI/AAAAAAAAQWk/uyKUgTX_rpkpOxXhveYipcAobyDqC09WACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bsubterraneum%2BSubterraneum%2BClover%2BTR0826%2BLittlestone%2BWarren%2B050621.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="479" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnvlsV1nMkc/YP7mcchFYHI/AAAAAAAAQWk/uyKUgTX_rpkpOxXhveYipcAobyDqC09WACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h479/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bsubterraneum%2BSubterraneum%2BClover%2BTR0826%2BLittlestone%2BWarren%2B050621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This cabbage family plant looked different and I didn't recognise it. It was in fact Warty Cabbage and the leaves and stem are covered in little warts. What a treat to find a new species. This was in the old bomb crater on Blackheath were I used to ride my bike when a kid.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Bunias orientalis</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLRXVVagG94/YP7m2ZHXScI/AAAAAAAAQW0/qvCPv810qZgu6nUdjK9C_vgWtvnOc5oGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BBunias%2Borientalis%2BWarty%2BCabbage%2BTQ39737718%2BBlackheath%2Bnorth%2B060621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLRXVVagG94/YP7m2ZHXScI/AAAAAAAAQW0/qvCPv810qZgu6nUdjK9C_vgWtvnOc5oGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BBunias%2Borientalis%2BWarty%2BCabbage%2BTQ39737718%2BBlackheath%2Bnorth%2B060621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Still at Blackheath around and in a pond was Buttonweed, an alien species. Apparently it has been here for many years no doubt originally illegally introduced. I've only ever seen it before near Higham Marshes.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cotula coronopifolia</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7PPuNCM8PU/YP7nl9kLWSI/AAAAAAAAQXA/SxRDIjz1zsMpdaRHoT0PeoCwEOQUeOY9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCotula%2Bcoronopifolia%2BButtonweed%2BTQ3976%2BBlackheath%2Bwest%2B060621c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7PPuNCM8PU/YP7nl9kLWSI/AAAAAAAAQXA/SxRDIjz1zsMpdaRHoT0PeoCwEOQUeOY9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BCotula%2Bcoronopifolia%2BButtonweed%2BTQ3976%2BBlackheath%2Bwest%2B060621c.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Birdsfoot is a very tiny pea flower, but exceptionally attractive. One of the many amazing species found at Blackheath, which incidentally is classed as West Kent VC16 and not London!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ornithopus perpusillus</i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6ecieouVNw/YP7obsQsf5I/AAAAAAAAQXM/HlJ7xvMnhGolGBmxzZbCK1Uxv_1rWaNmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrnithopus%2Bperpusillus%2BBirdsfoot%2BTQ39707717%2BBlackheath%2Bnorth%2B060621a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="800" height="516" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6ecieouVNw/YP7obsQsf5I/AAAAAAAAQXM/HlJ7xvMnhGolGBmxzZbCK1Uxv_1rWaNmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h516/aaa%2BOrnithopus%2Bperpusillus%2BBirdsfoot%2BTQ39707717%2BBlackheath%2Bnorth%2B060621a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I thought I would break up the Clovers with some Sand Spurrey. This is actually quite rare and is often confused with Lesser Sea Spurrey which is far more common. It likes sandy soils.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Spergularia rubra</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Gg2qnxuojY/YP7o8ENvh7I/AAAAAAAAQXU/Ehns5Y_5XwwCPTj-gEFyfrGVPJno6UnYACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSpergularia%2Brubra%2BSand%2BSpurry%2BTQ39677719%2BBlackheath%2Bnorth%2B060621d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Gg2qnxuojY/YP7o8ENvh7I/AAAAAAAAQXU/Ehns5Y_5XwwCPTj-gEFyfrGVPJno6UnYACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BSpergularia%2Brubra%2BSand%2BSpurry%2BTQ39677719%2BBlackheath%2Bnorth%2B060621d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The penultimate Clover I am featuring in this blog, this is Clustered Clover which actually do look weird and can't really be mistaken for any other species.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium glomeratum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OTq0qhoXbs/YP7o8MMdvNI/AAAAAAAAQXY/da34FnvRnysqeB2-Q6lhFro3j-g1R--ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bglomeratum%2BClustered%2BClover%2BTQ39007642%2BBlackheath%2Bwest%2B060621c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OTq0qhoXbs/YP7o8MMdvNI/AAAAAAAAQXY/da34FnvRnysqeB2-Q6lhFro3j-g1R--ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bglomeratum%2BClustered%2BClover%2BTQ39007642%2BBlackheath%2Bwest%2B060621c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The last Clover is the amazing Woolly Clover, an alien species that established at Blackheath many years ago and seems to be doing quite well. It looks a bit like Strawberry Clover, but it's quite dense with prostrate woody stems too.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium tomentosum</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Po4oZgwGRk/YP7p8E2ifpI/AAAAAAAAQXk/Mla3e8CYrTEw_LXYxntz6rHd9ooyN-Z2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Btomentosum%2BWoolly%2BClover%2BTQ387763%2BBlackheath%2Bsouth%2Bwest%2B060621b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Po4oZgwGRk/YP7p8E2ifpI/AAAAAAAAQXk/Mla3e8CYrTEw_LXYxntz6rHd9ooyN-Z2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Btomentosum%2BWoolly%2BClover%2BTQ387763%2BBlackheath%2Bsouth%2Bwest%2B060621b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQi4EsnhS8M/YP7p8MSYDaI/AAAAAAAAQXo/8KaVxMnSVEEeB_93-mKd9xSfoXL87C5IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Btomentosum%2BWoolly%2BClover%2BTQ39007643%2BBlackheath%2Bwest%2B060621j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQi4EsnhS8M/YP7p8MSYDaI/AAAAAAAAQXo/8KaVxMnSVEEeB_93-mKd9xSfoXL87C5IwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Btomentosum%2BWoolly%2BClover%2BTQ39007643%2BBlackheath%2Bwest%2B060621j.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meadow Saxifrage is a Kent RPR species too and is usually found in graveyards in West Kent and I found these in Ightam Churchyard. Beautiful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Saxigraga granulata</i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFjfvV8XXV4/YP7qQ0eNAPI/AAAAAAAAQX0/vekEM7LPhX0R-sSh-TTg9wLff2ScmfH6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSaxifraga%2Bgranulata%2BMeadow%2BSaxifrage%2BTQ5956%2BIghtam%2BChurch%2B080621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFjfvV8XXV4/YP7qQ0eNAPI/AAAAAAAAQX0/vekEM7LPhX0R-sSh-TTg9wLff2ScmfH6gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BSaxifraga%2Bgranulata%2BMeadow%2BSaxifrage%2BTQ5956%2BIghtam%2BChurch%2B080621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GR2ruL2MUqM/YP7qQxEiUkI/AAAAAAAAQX4/PDm1IgX6DtA1hdADfDbCZrkv2H39iKpOACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSaxifraga%2Bgranulata%2BMeadow%2BSaxifrage%2BTQ5956%2BIghtam%2BChurch%2Bbasal%2Bleaf%2B080621.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GR2ruL2MUqM/YP7qQxEiUkI/AAAAAAAAQX4/PDm1IgX6DtA1hdADfDbCZrkv2H39iKpOACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa%2BSaxifraga%2Bgranulata%2BMeadow%2BSaxifrage%2BTQ5956%2BIghtam%2BChurch%2Bbasal%2Bleaf%2B080621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's a basal leaf dying off. There's not much like these around either, so you can identify them without flowers as these come up before the flowers.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Ivy Broomrape is rare in Kent but North Kent has the biggest populations around the Dartford to Greenhithe areas. In past years they have all been the usual deep purple colours, but this year a new population arose up the hill from McD's at Greenhithe and they were all yellow forms! Amazing sight.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Orobanche hederae</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfX2Xm3CmU4/YP7q5EUjUKI/AAAAAAAAQYI/4S7QatBEdhE0bDPU_ftkHAIGJR2kVCDLACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bhederae%2BIvy%2BBroomrape%2Byellow%2Bform%2BTQ5874%2BGreenhithe%2B110621c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfX2Xm3CmU4/YP7q5EUjUKI/AAAAAAAAQYI/4S7QatBEdhE0bDPU_ftkHAIGJR2kVCDLACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bhederae%2BIvy%2BBroomrape%2Byellow%2Bform%2BTQ5874%2BGreenhithe%2B110621c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53fV4xDT5MU/YP7q5AtBNTI/AAAAAAAAQYE/-gxC1wlkbFYb-V9u6yWQTzRphejUe5MLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bhederae%2BIvy%2BBroomrape%2Byellow%2Bform%2BTQ5874%2BGreenhithe%2B110621k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53fV4xDT5MU/YP7q5AtBNTI/AAAAAAAAQYE/-gxC1wlkbFYb-V9u6yWQTzRphejUe5MLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bhederae%2BIvy%2BBroomrape%2Byellow%2Bform%2BTQ5874%2BGreenhithe%2B110621k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">One of my most exciting finds was a single spike of flowering Lizard Orchid in Longfield in 2019 on a private meadow. Drought seemed to have killed it off in 2020 but it came back in 2021 and on having another look around, I found a further 5 spikes nearby, so 6 spikes in total. The landowner was impressed too and hopefully will manage the site for them sympathetically. This is quite important as the site is scrubbing over.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Himantoglossum hircinum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgYWDwkrqPI/YP7rkMaJGuI/AAAAAAAAQYU/9fjJj44BaqAs4jEj6sgOQ4ugrn3G12jKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ5978369600%2BLongfield%2B120621d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgYWDwkrqPI/YP7rkMaJGuI/AAAAAAAAQYU/9fjJj44BaqAs4jEj6sgOQ4ugrn3G12jKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ5978369600%2BLongfield%2B120621d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyUyTttiiRs/YP7xsSUdtnI/AAAAAAAAQYc/l6dKaqTEiVAVhmTxYYB7ciZjhQP94_zFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ5978369600%2BLongfield%2B120621c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyUyTttiiRs/YP7xsSUdtnI/AAAAAAAAQYc/l6dKaqTEiVAVhmTxYYB7ciZjhQP94_zFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ5978369600%2BLongfield%2B120621c.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">One of the latest additions to the Kent RPR is this Mediterranean Long Tongue Orchid. A contact told me where it was (I hadn't asked) so I went to look. I was obviously one of many as the area around it had been flattened. It was supposed to be a secret and I did not publish this on social media to help protect the site at the time.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Once I visited the site, I was of the opinion that it was a prime dumping site and in my view the consideration that these came from fly tipped waste cannot be ruled out. Against this view was that there were no other alien species there and a verge by the M20 certainly isn't a venue where one might plant a specimen. This is the second year they have been here and are different to the Tongue Orchid species in Essex and Wakehurst.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Serapias vomeracea</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvcVIRhIHBQ/YP7yHreyveI/AAAAAAAAQYs/zqfBXvbQIXMSlOiHHlpJNWfG8hkgK3z_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSerapias%2Bvomeracea%2BLong-lipped%2BTongue-orchid%2BTQ7620558350%2BBoxley%2B130621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvcVIRhIHBQ/YP7yHreyveI/AAAAAAAAQYs/zqfBXvbQIXMSlOiHHlpJNWfG8hkgK3z_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BSerapias%2Bvomeracea%2BLong-lipped%2BTongue-orchid%2BTQ7620558350%2BBoxley%2B130621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Please don't ask where they are, the site is already under pressure, so I won't say!I can't say they look attractive to me compared to other orchids. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Why couldn't a Mirror Orchid (<span><i>Ophrys speculum</i>)</span> turn up somewhere? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FU0xE5ZiEG8/YP7yHpeLGTI/AAAAAAAAQYk/oJF7myWHqEwvJ-J6Xw_wVor6Ebg0TrPngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BSerapias%2Bvomeracea%2BLong-lipped%2BTongue-orchid%2BTQ7620558350%2BBoxley%2B130621b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FU0xE5ZiEG8/YP7yHpeLGTI/AAAAAAAAQYk/oJF7myWHqEwvJ-J6Xw_wVor6Ebg0TrPngCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BSerapias%2Bvomeracea%2BLong-lipped%2BTongue-orchid%2BTQ7620558350%2BBoxley%2B130621b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4RxlejAQ8E/YP7yHtXmXdI/AAAAAAAAQYo/WMPBGmDcqNwnupfGkAAL3cuKE7T5WvOhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BSerapias%2Bvomeracea%2BLong-lipped%2BTongue-orchid%2BTQ7620558350%2BBoxley%2B130621d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4RxlejAQ8E/YP7yHtXmXdI/AAAAAAAAQYo/WMPBGmDcqNwnupfGkAAL3cuKE7T5WvOhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BSerapias%2Bvomeracea%2BLong-lipped%2BTongue-orchid%2BTQ7620558350%2BBoxley%2B130621d.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Much more exciting to me was finding Small Catchfly and what's more they were doing better than 2 years ago when I saw a poor looking lone specimen. Such a pretty little flower of arable field edges and quite rare now. Near Tutt Hill, Ashford area.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Silene gallica</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIVo2cUrPnM/YP70dzlsXZI/AAAAAAAAQZE/Vea45T2BE3IA6LHJgYNlNURw2rTKDZMCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/aaa%2BSilene%2Bgallica%2BSmall%2Bflowered%2BCatchfly%2BTQ9758446576%2BHothfield%2BTutt%2BHilll%2B130621d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1750" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIVo2cUrPnM/YP70dzlsXZI/AAAAAAAAQZE/Vea45T2BE3IA6LHJgYNlNURw2rTKDZMCQCLcBGAsYHQ/w546-h640/aaa%2BSilene%2Bgallica%2BSmall%2Bflowered%2BCatchfly%2BTQ9758446576%2BHothfield%2BTutt%2BHilll%2B130621d.jpg" width="546" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuEqxE8hAJ0/YP70eGE_UQI/AAAAAAAAQZI/mrMwhjk18rYFj6oBoFAQr2XjQyTnz6NuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BSilene%2Bgallica%2BSmall%2Bflowered%2BCatchfly%2BTQ9758446576%2BHothfield%2BTutt%2BHilll%2B130621e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuEqxE8hAJ0/YP70eGE_UQI/AAAAAAAAQZI/mrMwhjk18rYFj6oBoFAQr2XjQyTnz6NuACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BSilene%2Bgallica%2BSmall%2Bflowered%2BCatchfly%2BTQ9758446576%2BHothfield%2BTutt%2BHilll%2B130621e.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Locally to me near Southfleet, I found several Milk Thistles, these are uncommon in West Kent for sure. They have beautiful leaves and the most amazing capitulas!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Silybum marianum </i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_it9Y89LbI/YP705DjmvRI/AAAAAAAAQZU/DNxZqYCEgVIhL-csYGmGnFbN-leOT7FdACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSilybum%2Bmarianum%2BMilk%2BThistle%2BTQ6171%2BSouthfleet%2B140621a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_it9Y89LbI/YP705DjmvRI/AAAAAAAAQZU/DNxZqYCEgVIhL-csYGmGnFbN-leOT7FdACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BSilybum%2Bmarianum%2BMilk%2BThistle%2BTQ6171%2BSouthfleet%2B140621a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dungeness is home to hundreds of thousands of Nottingham Catchfly plants, whereas they are absent from most of the rest of the county apart from a few other coastal locations. The shingle ridges are covered with them in flower from late May into late June, but here's the thing, virtually every single one has white flowers; so, it was quite exciting to find a few clumps of deep pink flowers near Boulder Wall, Dungeness <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The petals unfurl at night to attract moth pollinators.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Silene nutans</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BORHf7b3EOs/YP713QlRzII/AAAAAAAAQZg/ICk4YAgF85MTpwwEIasxEc--wEgrbQEhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSilene%2Bnutans%2BNottingham%2BCatchfly%2BARC%2BBoulderWall%2BDungeness%2B230621c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="800" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BORHf7b3EOs/YP713QlRzII/AAAAAAAAQZg/ICk4YAgF85MTpwwEIasxEc--wEgrbQEhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h482/aaa%2BSilene%2Bnutans%2BNottingham%2BCatchfly%2BARC%2BBoulderWall%2BDungeness%2B230621c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">North Kent is great for Wild Liquorice with it being present in many locations on the chalk. The flowers are quite big too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Astragalus glycyphylos</i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSABAqDirfM/YP73eoLBqoI/AAAAAAAAQZw/2GtqGr1RQgwmZqSexbzdc3NknBOroK5QACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6968%2BCuxton%2BFields%2BRanscombe%2B270621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSABAqDirfM/YP73eoLBqoI/AAAAAAAAQZw/2GtqGr1RQgwmZqSexbzdc3NknBOroK5QACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6968%2BCuxton%2BFields%2BRanscombe%2B270621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Just my luck to find the rare Rough Mallow at Ranscombe Farm on a dull, cloudy day. as such, the flowers are half closed! Still, it shows the plant form quite well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Malva segitera<br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9ze_A7Jm5E/YP74D1UH9lI/AAAAAAAAQZ4/pZfmLTnkvTcpkaQCfjTjSErCbt7en2dMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMalva%2Bsegitera%2BRough%2BMallow%2BTQ6968%2BCuxton%2BFields%2BRanscombe%2B270621a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="800" height="598" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9ze_A7Jm5E/YP74D1UH9lI/AAAAAAAAQZ4/pZfmLTnkvTcpkaQCfjTjSErCbt7en2dMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h598/aaa%2BMalva%2Bsegitera%2BRough%2BMallow%2BTQ6968%2BCuxton%2BFields%2BRanscombe%2B270621a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQkV72y1Lu0/YP74omEg5YI/AAAAAAAAQaA/-j-Mwvyz1Bs1-k1NtEbRDCPjVZ3zLy64gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1422/aaa%2BPlantago%2Bmedia%2BHoary%2BPlantain%2BTQ7070%2BGreat%2BCrabbles%2BWood%2Bmeadow%2B270621c.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQkV72y1Lu0/YP74omEg5YI/AAAAAAAAQaA/-j-Mwvyz1Bs1-k1NtEbRDCPjVZ3zLy64gCLcBGAsYHQ/w360-h640/aaa%2BPlantago%2Bmedia%2BHoary%2BPlantain%2BTQ7070%2BGreat%2BCrabbles%2BWood%2Bmeadow%2B270621c.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Finally, the beautiful flowers of Hoary Plantain, a Kent RPR species that look like an orchid from afar and it has no petals! An indicator plant of a great habitat. Here seen near Great Crabbles Wood.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Plantago media</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>That's it for June 2021. I missed off a lot of wildflowers, but hopefully included enough unsual plants to whet your appetite to get out there and find some of your own. Those featured will be in seed or gone over now, but July brings forth new species such as water plants. So get out there and find them before I do.</p><p><br /></p><p>Take care</p><p>Dave</p><p>Twitter: @Barbus59<br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-18910321185509014672021-06-09T11:52:00.001+00:002023-03-29T22:27:42.833+00:00May 2021 Botanical Finds from Kent<p> Here is a selection of interesting plants I found this May in the Kent area, I hope you enjoy them.<br /></p><p>Starting off with one of the early flowering mouse ears, it's the Grey mouse-ear, a species only found in a few counties with North Kent probably having the largest population of them in the UK.</p><p>A few years back I found a new colony on a field edge and despite being sprayed and suffering successive Spring droughts they have persisted. I couldn't find any in flower, but here's one in seed.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jALEIaFoRiE/YMCYZa10UjI/AAAAAAAAQFU/bhWi-rp4U-oVuduo7cCcYiCTDqM_xNz2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCerastium%2Bbrachypetalum%2BGrey%2Bmouse%2Bear%2BTQ5968%2BFawkham%2BChurchdown%2B060521b.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jALEIaFoRiE/YMCYZa10UjI/AAAAAAAAQFU/bhWi-rp4U-oVuduo7cCcYiCTDqM_xNz2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa%2BCerastium%2Bbrachypetalum%2BGrey%2Bmouse%2Bear%2BTQ5968%2BFawkham%2BChurchdown%2B060521b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Note how very hairy it is and that the hairs overlap the sepal tips by a long way. The hairs aren't glandular and the inflorescence is lax. All these features are different to the look alike Sticky and Little mouse-ear plants.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Cerastium brachypetalum</i></p><p> </p><p>Midway through May, I found a patch of these plants on an ant hill at Longfield Chalk Bank where they have been absent since 2013. I thought they had died out here as Kent Wildlife Trust had failed to maintain a suitable habitat. Fortunately ants did it for them. The habitat needs scarifying to create bare patches. In addition, ant hills attract Green Woodpeckers which I have seen here too.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIXIAntzZB8/YMCZJKuwCKI/AAAAAAAAQFk/2Wb-2aV9BkkCHYveL94RVQzs2xLpnMoJACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCerastium%2Bbrachypetalum%2BGrey%2Bmouse-ear%2BTQ59666907%2BKWT%2BLongfield%2BChalk%2BBank%2B190521b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIXIAntzZB8/YMCZJKuwCKI/AAAAAAAAQFk/2Wb-2aV9BkkCHYveL94RVQzs2xLpnMoJACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BCerastium%2Bbrachypetalum%2BGrey%2Bmouse-ear%2BTQ59666907%2BKWT%2BLongfield%2BChalk%2BBank%2B190521b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vac_BSZQ-0/YMCZk8qFxSI/AAAAAAAAQFs/iRVyTjB8zgU1vzTV38kWW0Ma62Eit2tcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BBarbarea%2Bvulgaris%2BCommon%2BWintercress%2BTQ7167%2BRanscombe%2Beast%2B070521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vac_BSZQ-0/YMCZk8qFxSI/AAAAAAAAQFs/iRVyTjB8zgU1vzTV38kWW0Ma62Eit2tcwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/aaa%2BBarbarea%2Bvulgaris%2BCommon%2BWintercress%2BTQ7167%2BRanscombe%2Beast%2B070521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>On a trip to Ranscombe Farm I came across a huge stand of Common Wintercress in a recently coppiced area. I wonder if years ago this area was arable and under the plough?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Barbarea vulgaris</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3C6nSn1vxQ/YMCaSZDTRzI/AAAAAAAAQF0/D96EjN-454o6uMBscj6mnJ2rt4nl4GqZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bmascula%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BTQ7167%2BRanscombe%2Beast%2B070521.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3C6nSn1vxQ/YMCaSZDTRzI/AAAAAAAAQF0/D96EjN-454o6uMBscj6mnJ2rt4nl4GqZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bmascula%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BTQ7167%2BRanscombe%2Beast%2B070521.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Early Purple Orchids abounded in the usual purple hues and were delightful to see. Even better was finding a solitary all white variant amongst the Bluebells.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Orchis mascula </i></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">And the usual flower colour form, around 100 plants seen<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2-ZGZMX2n0/YMCascM31GI/AAAAAAAAQF8/r6X4EcwzOKAQVsjiixk4W-kV9E7wCl9iACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bmascula%2BTQ7167%2BRanscombe%2Beast%2B070521h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2-ZGZMX2n0/YMCascM31GI/AAAAAAAAQF8/r6X4EcwzOKAQVsjiixk4W-kV9E7wCl9iACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bmascula%2BTQ7167%2BRanscombe%2Beast%2B070521h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I had visited Dartford Heath a few times this month searching for rare Dandelions (see last blog). Below is one of the other treats you can find provided you look for the tiniest flowers in very short turf.</p><p><i>Ornithopus perpusilus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnNcVYBylfk/YMCbA28eQ_I/AAAAAAAAQGE/yMxU-cwZVkMk0HaDtc8GB3IvV8jzMxQqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrnithopus%2Bperpusillus%2BBiirdsfoot%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2B090521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="800" height="606" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnNcVYBylfk/YMCbA28eQ_I/AAAAAAAAQGE/yMxU-cwZVkMk0HaDtc8GB3IvV8jzMxQqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h606/aaa%2BOrnithopus%2Bperpusillus%2BBiirdsfoot%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2B090521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>Another teeny flower found there was Subterraneum Clover. I found a new colony on a road verge which was a nice find. I like this photo as it includes the leaves which are often blotched like this, hairy and entire. There is a similar Clover called Birdsfoot Clover which has toothed leaves without blotches and similar flowers, so it pays to notice leaves!<br /></p><p><i>Trifolium subterraneum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqIbFU0IjWo/YMCblbHoMiI/AAAAAAAAQGQ/NayLReK6fBcZ3UcBDSz4EdohUE_CesZEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bsubterraneum%2BSubterraneum%2BClover%2BTQ52697313%2BDartford%2BHeath%2B090521b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqIbFU0IjWo/YMCblbHoMiI/AAAAAAAAQGQ/NayLReK6fBcZ3UcBDSz4EdohUE_CesZEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bsubterraneum%2BSubterraneum%2BClover%2BTQ52697313%2BDartford%2BHeath%2B090521b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>On 11th May news spread like wildfire through the Kent botanical community of a walker finding a massive colony of Mousetail, a small plant that cannot tolerate competition from other plants and often grows in dried out previously flooded areas. It had not been found in Kent since the 1970s and was presumed extinct. Here is a photo of the site near Hoo showing part of the thousands of plants there.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXqlI7v-taw/YMCcUXN_E0I/AAAAAAAAQGc/iSoYXr0rFNwCdZ9IY8vh-99A6M8dveOugCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXqlI7v-taw/YMCcUXN_E0I/AAAAAAAAQGc/iSoYXr0rFNwCdZ9IY8vh-99A6M8dveOugCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BHabitat%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">As this is such a rare find in Kent, forgive me showing you more than one photo of it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oGBeGphPg1M/YMCc36cbczI/AAAAAAAAQGk/z-roftK904wRDZFgm0LGwTW1dBwyLnu3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oGBeGphPg1M/YMCc36cbczI/AAAAAAAAQGk/z-roftK904wRDZFgm0LGwTW1dBwyLnu3gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMnJ1OmL61g/YMCdIU2lwxI/AAAAAAAAQHA/vef1GOQ_-6A8yl8IsGz2bBjw5RcgURv9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2Band%2BRanunculus%2B%2Bsceleratus%2BCelry%2BLvd%2BButtercup%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMnJ1OmL61g/YMCdIU2lwxI/AAAAAAAAQHA/vef1GOQ_-6A8yl8IsGz2bBjw5RcgURv9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2Band%2BRanunculus%2B%2Bsceleratus%2BCelry%2BLvd%2BButtercup%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Myosurus minimus</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-403b-Xm6cyA/YMCdQGrLi3I/AAAAAAAAQHE/y_3k1g4k574mv6pME5tpup4LfIwdkDVTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-403b-Xm6cyA/YMCdQGrLi3I/AAAAAAAAQHE/y_3k1g4k574mv6pME5tpup4LfIwdkDVTgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521j.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">This last photo shows a tiny Celery Leaved Buttercup growing with them.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ranunculus sceleratus</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pppdC9v0XiE/YMCdaLhkF8I/AAAAAAAAQHM/U0ND0H1rWCkDTqTwULPSnM4dtejRfd83ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BRanunculus%2B%2Bsceleratus%2BCelry%2BLvd%2BButtercup%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pppdC9v0XiE/YMCdaLhkF8I/AAAAAAAAQHM/U0ND0H1rWCkDTqTwULPSnM4dtejRfd83ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BRanunculus%2B%2Bsceleratus%2BCelry%2BLvd%2BButtercup%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>What an amazing find, and not by a hardened botanist but by a lady walking the Saxon Shore Path (thank you Jane Lawson) who had an interest in wildflowers. Fortunately she noticed these and thought they were different to plants she had seen before and broke the news to others.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kXU5Ep3JPic/YMCd0GEVHzI/AAAAAAAAQHY/624wRlhKbJQe-8cHYsTsYj0S6rWtYN0ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kXU5Ep3JPic/YMCd0GEVHzI/AAAAAAAAQHY/624wRlhKbJQe-8cHYsTsYj0S6rWtYN0ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa%2BHabitat%2BMyosurus%2Bminimus%2BMousetail%2BTQ795720%2BHoo%2BAbbotts%2BCourt%2B120521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p>Habitat looking the other direction. The area floods from a fishing lake on the left inundating this part of the field during wet Winters.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The 16th May was an orchid day for me. Seeing photos of lovely orchids online made me visit some Kent sites to catch up with them myself. Here's some Green winged orchids from Marden Meadow. May was notable for being very wet and cool with frosts well into the last week of the month. <br /></p><p><i>Anacamptis morio</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EumB1v7LTAY/YMCeEjlM7LI/AAAAAAAAQHg/-EDbp3AoeO8Lz0BIDVIWSun5zLhm45msgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bmorio%2BMarden%2BMeadow%2B160521f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EumB1v7LTAY/YMCeEjlM7LI/AAAAAAAAQHg/-EDbp3AoeO8Lz0BIDVIWSun5zLhm45msgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bmorio%2BMarden%2BMeadow%2B160521f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Lady Orchids from a mid Kent wood. Perhaps our most impressive orchid.<br /></p><p><i>Orchis purpurea</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KedwPtCCOqY/YMCe2tzWNuI/AAAAAAAAQHs/8wDf4kGB4BA4hDp91VK4h3PRA51IbjBagCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bpurpurea%2BKWT%2BStockbury%2B160521b1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KedwPtCCOqY/YMCe2tzWNuI/AAAAAAAAQHs/8wDf4kGB4BA4hDp91VK4h3PRA51IbjBagCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bpurpurea%2BKWT%2BStockbury%2B160521b1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVQjVMXdxBo/YMCe2r3-AwI/AAAAAAAAQHw/WOkJ-yliRaYOd0h2DVGpNQTMwN6NK2XSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bpurpurea%2BKWT%2BStockbury%2B160521c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVQjVMXdxBo/YMCe2r3-AwI/AAAAAAAAQHw/WOkJ-yliRaYOd0h2DVGpNQTMwN6NK2XSwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bpurpurea%2BKWT%2BStockbury%2B160521c.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWNm0WuVnvw/YMCfOb5gMCI/AAAAAAAAQIA/ajYnXoakdUUm3grXwW94FA1u-B_FqTc_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BOrchis%2Banthropophora%2BStockbury%2BA249%2BChurch%2BHill%2B160521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWNm0WuVnvw/YMCfOb5gMCI/AAAAAAAAQIA/ajYnXoakdUUm3grXwW94FA1u-B_FqTc_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa%2BOrchis%2Banthropophora%2BStockbury%2BA249%2BChurch%2BHill%2B160521.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Amazing aren't they. Nearby were some much smaller Man Orchids, though I have seen some over 2 feet tall. Due to the cold May, these were late coming out and still quite small.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Orchis anthropophora</i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p>Fly orchids were missing from the usual area. Fortunately I knew of another colony nearby and these were out.</p><p><i>Ophrys insectifera </i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_zmUNuXgp0/YMCgNJIQAsI/AAAAAAAAQIY/aio2192-0JIOXxyrkOGGCF0XD22DGtF9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOphrys%2Binsectifera%2BStockbury%2B160521a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_zmUNuXgp0/YMCgNJIQAsI/AAAAAAAAQIY/aio2192-0JIOXxyrkOGGCF0XD22DGtF9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BOphrys%2Binsectifera%2BStockbury%2B160521a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then it was down to Samphire Hoe on the coast for Early Spider Orchids, beginning to go over but still plenty to see.<p></p><p><i>Ophrys sphegodes </i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qWYLnCuXLs/YMCf4mqg3MI/AAAAAAAAQIQ/eMesv0DZ8X0pyqtewBgjrHnsgcTrJzC-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bsphegodes%2BSamphire%2BHoe%2B160521b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qWYLnCuXLs/YMCf4mqg3MI/AAAAAAAAQIQ/eMesv0DZ8X0pyqtewBgjrHnsgcTrJzC-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bsphegodes%2BSamphire%2BHoe%2B160521b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>A short distance away is a site for Late Spider Orchids, but given the cold weather I was doubtful I'd find any, but - yes, there was one out. Still quite small and just the one flower, but hey, what a day this was.</p><p><i>Ophrys fuciflora</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yoIK3ANCGag/YMCgl3-wEGI/AAAAAAAAQIg/mwsK6OWFRQYAgIXBybNdayfyGNnc-2-IQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bfuciflora%2BFolkestone%2B160521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yoIK3ANCGag/YMCgl3-wEGI/AAAAAAAAQIg/mwsK6OWFRQYAgIXBybNdayfyGNnc-2-IQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bfuciflora%2BFolkestone%2B160521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lErsdxxWusc/YMCg_f7-aII/AAAAAAAAQIo/XaJGfboKKe0y5zHTWaAkCBSiCFhfa9wjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCynoglossum%2Bofficinale%2BHoundstongue%2BTR0826%2BLittlestone%2BWarren%2B220521a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lErsdxxWusc/YMCg_f7-aII/AAAAAAAAQIo/XaJGfboKKe0y5zHTWaAkCBSiCFhfa9wjgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/aaa%2BCynoglossum%2Bofficinale%2BHoundstongue%2BTR0826%2BLittlestone%2BWarren%2B220521a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Back to plants other than orchids.</p><p>Houndstongue, an uncommon plant declining fast!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Cynoglossum officinale</i></p><p> </p><p> Below is just Common Storksbill. This photo though shows the seeds which give this plant its name. when ripe they explode, shooting the seeds away from the parent plant.<br /></p><p><i>Erodium cicutarium</i><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsMAuV6vPAc/YMChffQK2DI/AAAAAAAAQIw/UKADJopQtQwUXe1GYaOYieoUsc0R7MryACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BErodium%2Bcicutarium%2BCommon%2BStorksbill%2BTR0826%2BLittlestone%2BWarren%2B220521a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsMAuV6vPAc/YMChffQK2DI/AAAAAAAAQIw/UKADJopQtQwUXe1GYaOYieoUsc0R7MryACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BErodium%2Bcicutarium%2BCommon%2BStorksbill%2BTR0826%2BLittlestone%2BWarren%2B220521a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHWNW8cxv1c/YMCh53WI0YI/AAAAAAAAQI4/YGQmicM7vB4DH99PGLLSOgZB427jP2mmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BSisymbrium%2Birio%2BLondon%2BRocket%2BTR1066%2BWhistable%2BHarbour%2B280521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHWNW8cxv1c/YMCh53WI0YI/AAAAAAAAQI4/YGQmicM7vB4DH99PGLLSOgZB427jP2mmACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BSisymbrium%2Birio%2BLondon%2BRocket%2BTR1066%2BWhistable%2BHarbour%2B280521.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Here is another plant I had not seen before and in an unexpected place. It's London Rocket, so named as the plant covered London after the Great Fire of 1666.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGyw5N5zG-8/YMCiSHOUebI/AAAAAAAAQJA/a_UKBambzwwtA1V7NZFwJNw9i5h-tdcSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s999/aaa%2BSisymbrium%2Birio%2BLondon%2BRocket%2BTR1066%2BWhistable%2BHarbour%2B280521c.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGyw5N5zG-8/YMCiSHOUebI/AAAAAAAAQJA/a_UKBambzwwtA1V7NZFwJNw9i5h-tdcSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa%2BSisymbrium%2Birio%2BLondon%2BRocket%2BTR1066%2BWhistable%2BHarbour%2B280521c.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Sisymbrium irio</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>It wasn't quite covering Whitstable, but it was quite numerous around the harbour and Sea Wall Rd area as a pavement plant.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnhBniWu2s4/YMCin2CJzUI/AAAAAAAAQJI/M4k3jSV7yvkukrTp_ItzKclva9FaKMGiACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSisymbrium%2Birio%2BLondon%2BRocket%2BTR1066%2BWhistable%2BHarbour%2B280521a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnhBniWu2s4/YMCin2CJzUI/AAAAAAAAQJI/M4k3jSV7yvkukrTp_ItzKclva9FaKMGiACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BSisymbrium%2Birio%2BLondon%2BRocket%2BTR1066%2BWhistable%2BHarbour%2B280521a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>We are at the end of May now and we managed a day out to Rye Harbour NR and took a long walk around the shingle reserve. On the way I found a patch of Field mouse-ear, a rare plant that I haven't seen here before despite numerous previous visits.</p><p><i>Cerastium arvense</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yo08V4_FDyM/YMCivbJyomI/AAAAAAAAQJM/Yi96sGSUrEMVJaZ8GZNt0kp5e-Kw5LHugCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCerastium%2Barvense%2BField%2Bmouse%2Bear%2BTQ942178%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yo08V4_FDyM/YMCivbJyomI/AAAAAAAAQJM/Yi96sGSUrEMVJaZ8GZNt0kp5e-Kw5LHugCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BCerastium%2Barvense%2BField%2Bmouse%2Bear%2BTQ942178%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Rye Harbour has a huge stand of Sea Pea, a rare pea found where the highest tides land the floating seeds.</p><p><i>Lathyrus maritimus</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62524d-pQFM/YMClTATo6zI/AAAAAAAAQJY/0Z8WCq-cCBsnbrMUsOMLZkIyInYLA0J6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLathyrus%2Bmaritimus%2BSea%2BPea%2BTQ943177%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62524d-pQFM/YMClTATo6zI/AAAAAAAAQJY/0Z8WCq-cCBsnbrMUsOMLZkIyInYLA0J6gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BLathyrus%2Bmaritimus%2BSea%2BPea%2BTQ943177%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOD6Mkk7pko/YMCluavj9kI/AAAAAAAAQJg/okkAYP2WS5Ubsc_9Y-jKB2uhU56WKSGGACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLathyrus%2Bmaritimus%2BSea%2BPea%2BTQ943177%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOD6Mkk7pko/YMCluavj9kI/AAAAAAAAQJg/okkAYP2WS5Ubsc_9Y-jKB2uhU56WKSGGACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BLathyrus%2Bmaritimus%2BSea%2BPea%2BTQ943177%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521g.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I hoped that perhaps some Bee Orchids might be out, and they were. Just a few were out but none of the var. chlorantha variety (all white plants) were out yet. Still pleasing to see.</p><p><i>Ophrys apifera</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUhJ0Pjvi7w/YMCmFzAnQdI/AAAAAAAAQJo/1il7sOx2Q40ZUsyqtjbPS9ZEDGxQ6Mz9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s933/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2BTQ94251862%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUhJ0Pjvi7w/YMCmFzAnQdI/AAAAAAAAQJo/1il7sOx2Q40ZUsyqtjbPS9ZEDGxQ6Mz9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w548-h640/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2BTQ94251862%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521c.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><p></p><p>Sea mouse-ear is usually long burnt off by late May, but was still going strong due to the cold weather.</p><p><i>Cerastium diffusum</i><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVMEWJBKz78/YMCmPyVlReI/AAAAAAAAQJs/Yjle0bqPzVAq-WYtZVWoC0P-n1COD22dACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCerastium%2Bdiffusum%2BSea%2Bmouse%2Bear%2BTQ942178%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVMEWJBKz78/YMCmPyVlReI/AAAAAAAAQJs/Yjle0bqPzVAq-WYtZVWoC0P-n1COD22dACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BCerastium%2Bdiffusum%2BSea%2Bmouse%2Bear%2BTQ942178%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Yellow Vetch - <i>Vicia lutea</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fq5KuO749k0/YMCmudlwfII/AAAAAAAAQJ4/VGK3Face430oPjcezlj76CQ3movAyroOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVicia%2Blutea%2BYellow%2BVetch%2BTR08432427%2BLittlestone%2B290521b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="800" height="508" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fq5KuO749k0/YMCmudlwfII/AAAAAAAAQJ4/VGK3Face430oPjcezlj76CQ3movAyroOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h508/aaa%2BVicia%2Blutea%2BYellow%2BVetch%2BTR08432427%2BLittlestone%2B290521b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Greater Sea-Spurrey - <i>Spergularia media</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7Z9mgP3Tdw/YMCm-LD5muI/AAAAAAAAQKA/R2Wl0mqsc9wOv0Ipnx-VaX2dppkYuNBswCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSpergularia%2Bmedia%2BGreater%2BSea%2BSpurrey%2BTQ94011810%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7Z9mgP3Tdw/YMCm-LD5muI/AAAAAAAAQKA/R2Wl0mqsc9wOv0Ipnx-VaX2dppkYuNBswCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BSpergularia%2Bmedia%2BGreater%2BSea%2BSpurrey%2BTQ94011810%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BNR%2B290521a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9i14N30K0s/YMCnLHxayEI/AAAAAAAAQKE/FiCOkjhEshoZTD4QfBsjpniKQ7tPUdHQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bpurpurea%2Bwith%2BPrimula%2Bveris%2Band%2BTamus%2Bcommunis%2BKWT%2BStockbury%2B160521a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9i14N30K0s/YMCnLHxayEI/AAAAAAAAQKE/FiCOkjhEshoZTD4QfBsjpniKQ7tPUdHQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bpurpurea%2Bwith%2BPrimula%2Bveris%2Band%2BTamus%2Bcommunis%2BKWT%2BStockbury%2B160521a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>And so ended another month in the botanical year. I don't think May is complete in Kent without a visit to see Lady Orchids, so I'll end with another photo of this delightful plant to finish.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Take care</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59<br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-44221890497132133482021-05-30T21:27:00.004+00:002023-03-29T22:35:48.134+00:00Taraxacum, Section Erythrosperma in Kent - April to May 2020<p> When I started out in botany, I thought there big and small Dandelions, but that was it, they were just Dandelions. Several years on and I now know there are about 250 micro species, which are very difficult to identify. They clone themselves year on year so do not hybridise with other species. As a result, these seperate species have been placed into different sections. The vast majority of species are in Section Ruderalia (now called Taraxacum) and are mostly alien and thus not considered rare.</p><p>After the easing of the 2020 lockdown, my partner and I took a walk near Sevenoaks and found an unusual looking Dandelion. I took a specimen and sent it off for an ID and it came back as <i>Taraxacum gelertii</i>, a Section Celtica plant rarely found in Kent. So that fired me up to have a look for them properly in 2021. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GLYDhQcU7is/YLP2pqRd6FI/AAAAAAAAQDI/znvgVTCWWdUvrHu4nVbT7428tnBJI8hFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Taraxacum%2Bgelertii%2B%2BTQ551530%2BCarters%2BHill%2BSevenoaks%2B260420st.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1626" data-original-width="2048" height="508" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GLYDhQcU7is/YLP2pqRd6FI/AAAAAAAAQDI/znvgVTCWWdUvrHu4nVbT7428tnBJI8hFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h508/Taraxacum%2Bgelertii%2B%2BTQ551530%2BCarters%2BHill%2BSevenoaks%2B260420st.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /><p></p><p> The Dandelion year only lasts from April to early May as plants change the shape of their leaves and mis-identifications can occur. As such, I started looking in early April. I initially found a Section Ruderalia at Ranscombe Farm. It was so impressive and large, I thought it must be easy to identify. So I took a flowering head and a leaf and took it home and got the books out. I soon became aware that these plants may have different shaped inner and outer leaves and I was curtly told without them not to bother with an ID. Ignore the identification given on the photo below, that was my first thought and it wasn't confirmed so it is probably wrong!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4XBtSJ5ojEc/YLP3GonFIFI/AAAAAAAAQDQ/GPnLau02aQkhTUvU1wNBoPlHQHDNf6UHACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/000%2BTaraxacum%2Bchrysophaenum%2BSect%2BRuderalia%2BTQ69856760%2BMill%2BHill%2BWoods%2BRanscombe%2B050421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4XBtSJ5ojEc/YLP3GonFIFI/AAAAAAAAQDQ/GPnLau02aQkhTUvU1wNBoPlHQHDNf6UHACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/000%2BTaraxacum%2Bchrysophaenum%2BSect%2BRuderalia%2BTQ69856760%2BMill%2BHill%2BWoods%2BRanscombe%2B050421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As such, I gave up on these. <br /></p><p>The Section I decided to look for in 2021 was Section Erythrosperma. These are always very small plants with small flowers and very much having heavily cut dissected leaves. The places to find them would be established ancient grasslands such as on chalk scarp slopes, sandy heaths and coastal areas too. If a place gets ploughed it becomes full of Section Ruderalia in no time so I didn't bother looking in field edges.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Et6sBaU0B5A/YLP0Nl_YcbI/AAAAAAAAQCw/LuIIq9VYDFEMfMPkHc2tKRNxnJQba7cjACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Habitat%2BEryngium%2Bmaritimum%2BSea%2BHolly%2BGreatsone%2BDunes%2B170716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Et6sBaU0B5A/YLP0Nl_YcbI/AAAAAAAAQCw/LuIIq9VYDFEMfMPkHc2tKRNxnJQba7cjACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h410/Habitat%2BEryngium%2Bmaritimum%2BSea%2BHolly%2BGreatsone%2BDunes%2B170716.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The biggest issue in chasing Dandelions is in having some voucher specimens that you can refer back to, to compare with. That was the purpose this year, to get some specimens and have them all identified properly by the BSBI Taraxacum referree. Once you have these, you can speed up identification, so next year I should be able to identify a few more than previously.</p><p></p><p>The other issue I fould was that many venues had zero Dandelions in the whole area of the type I was looking for. Of course, there would be the occasional Section Ruderalia wherever one went, but I was surprised how hard it was to find some specimens to identify.</p><p></p><p>My first find was a major one. It was on a short turf chalk bank local to me and I had the County Recorder out to verify some Viola hybrids I had found in the same meadow. When I went back the following day to get some better photos, I noticed some quite small Dandelions dotted here and there. I took a sample; lots of photos and lots of notes and sent it off for an ID from the referee. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ONNm2rqh1I/YLP1pKcI_oI/AAAAAAAAQC4/PSc9Fb5URNAx3fvxxcYw2pwIR5WUOvzlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Habitat%2BTaraxacum%2Bparnassicum%2B%2BTQ597695%2BLongfield%2BVC16%2B110421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ONNm2rqh1I/YLP1pKcI_oI/AAAAAAAAQC4/PSc9Fb5URNAx3fvxxcYw2pwIR5WUOvzlgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Habitat%2BTaraxacum%2Bparnassicum%2B%2BTQ597695%2BLongfield%2BVC16%2B110421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I was very pleased to find it was determined as <i>Taraxacum parnassicum</i>, a species new to Kent and never recorded here before. Here's a composite photo which includes the notes needed to identify these.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGTxpEY9Fy0/YLP2E23SOWI/AAAAAAAAQDA/VaYgbv1s5SwQiohUyuUMXYDsO1lyohlEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/001%2BTaraxacum%2Bparnassicum%2BTQ597695%2BLongfield%2BVC16%2B110421%2Bstitched.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGTxpEY9Fy0/YLP2E23SOWI/AAAAAAAAQDA/VaYgbv1s5SwQiohUyuUMXYDsO1lyohlEQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/001%2BTaraxacum%2Bparnassicum%2BTQ597695%2BLongfield%2BVC16%2B110421%2Bstitched.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Most referees appreciate you taking the time to try and work out what you have found first. I had keyed this plant out several times and thought it was indeed <i>T. parnassicum</i>, but as it had not been found in Kent before, I doubted my findings. It's nice to get it right from time to time!</p><p> My next nice finds were coastal. I visited Sandown, North of Deal town, and walked the path towards Sandwich. There were plenty of small Dandelions here and they all looked the same. They had very heavily dissected and contorted leaves which alone should have told me these were <i>T. dunense</i>, however, I'd never seen them before and real life specimens rarely match what's in a book perfectly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj1zmwTWU9U/YLP4Zf68J9I/AAAAAAAAQDY/50C54jwo_o0lYw2PjtR_72TEkmmlGWIHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/002%2BTaraxacum%2Bdunense%2BTR3754%2BSandown%2BSea%2BWall%2B170421%2Bstitched.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj1zmwTWU9U/YLP4Zf68J9I/AAAAAAAAQDY/50C54jwo_o0lYw2PjtR_72TEkmmlGWIHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/002%2BTaraxacum%2Bdunense%2BTR3754%2BSandown%2BSea%2BWall%2B170421%2Bstitched.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here is the habitat for <i>T. dunense.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZw3V5BIB0c/YLP4qUNTEyI/AAAAAAAAQDg/TADmCEOs_4k0jkXjNCPq57NOIqq_q43uACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/002%2BHabitat%2BTaraxacum%2Bdunense%2BSandown%2BTR3754%2B170421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZw3V5BIB0c/YLP4qUNTEyI/AAAAAAAAQDg/TADmCEOs_4k0jkXjNCPq57NOIqq_q43uACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/002%2BHabitat%2BTaraxacum%2Bdunense%2BSandown%2BTR3754%2B170421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> One of the advantages of pressing a plant is that once pressed you can arrange the specimen more clearly than it was in real life and without distracting (usually green) backgrounds too. If you compare the plant to the photo top left above, you can see how much easier it is to use the herbarium specimen to ID a plant without all the goings on of a background. I also found that once pressed and dried, many flowers would ripen the seeds within a head, thus showing you the achene colour, a useful ID tool for this section of plants.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWBNPiQmOp0/YLP5UVJFtnI/AAAAAAAAQDo/kJ0p1NklOP0xhRZ2clEfqmPnb0WVAIcJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/002%2BTaraxacum%2Bdunense%2BTR3754%2BSandown%2BSea%2BWall%2B170421%2Bpressed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1200" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWBNPiQmOp0/YLP5UVJFtnI/AAAAAAAAQDo/kJ0p1NklOP0xhRZ2clEfqmPnb0WVAIcJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h438/002%2BTaraxacum%2Bdunense%2BTR3754%2BSandown%2BSea%2BWall%2B170421%2Bpressed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I include the next specimen as a word of warning. It was a small Dandelion growing on the sea wall with a small flower too. The leaves were completely different to that shown above, so I took a sample.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2CfS6DSoc3k/YLP5z_y9LBI/AAAAAAAAQDw/i6wgLPWbeFU2d2vu_zcaTVtfMZJoLzPTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/003%2BTaraxacum%2Bsample%2B2%2BTR3754%2BSandown%2BSea%2BWall%2B170421%2Bwhole%2Bplant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="800" height="514" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2CfS6DSoc3k/YLP5z_y9LBI/AAAAAAAAQDw/i6wgLPWbeFU2d2vu_zcaTVtfMZJoLzPTgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h514/003%2BTaraxacum%2Bsample%2B2%2BTR3754%2BSandown%2BSea%2BWall%2B170421%2Bwhole%2Bplant.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As you can see, I learned a lesson here! Turned out this was a stunted Section Ruderalia. I've left this in my herbaria as a lesson learned too.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I then tried some inland sites and my local Dartford Heath seemed like a good place to look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXshPakdx1g/YLP6Pob-QWI/AAAAAAAAQD4/1O8GOTUUH6Yl_HMZcv7WakfJAyVqtexnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BTaraxacum%2Bbrachyglossum%2B%2BTQ514736%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bcentral%2B210421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXshPakdx1g/YLP6Pob-QWI/AAAAAAAAQD4/1O8GOTUUH6Yl_HMZcv7WakfJAyVqtexnwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BHabitat%2BTaraxacum%2Bbrachyglossum%2B%2BTQ514736%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bcentral%2B210421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I found several Section Erythrosperma plants on the heath. The first was the only one that I didn't need an expert ID verification for, and that was <i>T. brachyglossum</i>. This is because the rays are only a little bit longer than the bracts so it looks partly closed all the time and the flower is diminuitive. No other species has this character.<br /></p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcpriUpOWE8/YLP6thY_InI/AAAAAAAAQEA/21ZwAw2_hcMcPQisLO7fNc_iNbd8MxsWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/005%2BTaraxacum%2Bbrachyglossum%2BTQ514736%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bcentral%2B210421%2Bstitched.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1200" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcpriUpOWE8/YLP6thY_InI/AAAAAAAAQEA/21ZwAw2_hcMcPQisLO7fNc_iNbd8MxsWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/005%2BTaraxacum%2Bbrachyglossum%2BTQ514736%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bcentral%2B210421%2Bstitched.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><p>The next find was also all over the Heath and I found it in 3 seperate monads. It was <i>T. haworthianum</i>, a first for VC16 West Kent. The only other Kent record was from Hothfield in East Kent from the 1970s, so this was a good find indeed. What I particularly noticed about these plants was that they had bright purple blobs on the tips of the outer bracts (described as "corniculate" below). It was a constant feature and ruled out other similar species, so look for them!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__2fc1XWksM/YLP7EKMzXAI/AAAAAAAAQEI/5ZmwPRFY0pMMehS-2DeTtBjrOV7c4nP1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/aaa%2B004%2BTaraxacum%2Bhaworthianum%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bsouth%2Beast%2B180421%2Bstitched.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__2fc1XWksM/YLP7EKMzXAI/AAAAAAAAQEI/5ZmwPRFY0pMMehS-2DeTtBjrOV7c4nP1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/aaa%2B004%2BTaraxacum%2Bhaworthianum%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bsouth%2Beast%2B180421%2Bstitched.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This next plant is perhaps the commonest Section Erythrosperm in Kent, it is <i>T. oxoniense</i>. However, this plant can and does have highly variable leaves, but the trilobate end of each leaf seems to be constant. Another lesson came from this plant and that is that the referee said that some plants can have light brown achenes (seeds). He also mentioned pollen present can just amount to a few grains, so there probably was some pollen present - I just didn't look hard enough! These things are what threw me on this plant as no Section Erythrosperma had this colour seeds and pollen should have been present for it. It goes to show that snippets of experience that the referees hold in their head, don't always make it into the books!</p><p> </p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>T. oxoniense</i></span></b> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1jvo-6YWbA/YLP7mvDc2HI/AAAAAAAAQEQ/r3TOQutIdRwh1vOuCskTHu_pYK2GqH3AgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/aaa%2B006%2BTaraxacum%2Boxoniense%2BTQ5363%2BPreston%2BHill%2BShoreham%2B230421%2Bstitched%2Blarge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1200" height="487" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1jvo-6YWbA/YLP7mvDc2HI/AAAAAAAAQEQ/r3TOQutIdRwh1vOuCskTHu_pYK2GqH3AgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h487/aaa%2B006%2BTaraxacum%2Boxoniense%2BTQ5363%2BPreston%2BHill%2BShoreham%2B230421%2Bstitched%2Blarge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I then found more T. oxoniense at Queendown Warren, a KWT reserve, too.</p><p>The greens at Littlestone on Sea provided the last plant of note that I found.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI0Pj-lVMPM/YLP8yoLyeuI/AAAAAAAAQEY/RpTe9xNVmQg9_NeejADOcTkFGR5GlKeOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BTaraxacum%2Bsample%2B2%2BLittlestone%2BTR08462435%2BVC15%2B240421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI0Pj-lVMPM/YLP8yoLyeuI/AAAAAAAAQEY/RpTe9xNVmQg9_NeejADOcTkFGR5GlKeOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BHabitat%2BTaraxacum%2Bsample%2B2%2BLittlestone%2BTR08462435%2BVC15%2B240421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Here, I found numerous plants that initially looked the same as T. dunense shown above. However, by now there had been no rain for 4 weeks and the plants were drought stricken so I wasn't sure. The referee stated they were in fact, <i>T. lacistophyllum</i> and this is common at Littlestone and Dungeness where I also found it and one sample at Queendown Warren too.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNOoq0IT-TE/YLP968UdVoI/AAAAAAAAQEg/M5tJZBYTTUIf8_U2vGzqIDcx13rKxDRRACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/aaa%2BTaraxacum%2Blacistophyllum%2Bsample%2B1%2BLittlestone%2BTR08462437%2BVC15%2B240421%2Bstitched%2Blarge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNOoq0IT-TE/YLP968UdVoI/AAAAAAAAQEg/M5tJZBYTTUIf8_U2vGzqIDcx13rKxDRRACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/aaa%2BTaraxacum%2Blacistophyllum%2Bsample%2B1%2BLittlestone%2BTR08462437%2BVC15%2B240421%2Bstitched%2Blarge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Look at the leaves above! Drought stricken and described as "crisped" by the referee. I got around this by soaking the specimens in water when I got home thus -</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkuaJeebjrI/YLP-TIS_kuI/AAAAAAAAQEo/zP1q4tGdvpcSqgRF5R2YFLP8LAV6-j3sACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Taraxacum%2Blacistophyllum%2Bsample1%2Band%2B2%2Brehydrated%2BLittlestone%2BTR0824%2BVC15%2B240421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkuaJeebjrI/YLP-TIS_kuI/AAAAAAAAQEo/zP1q4tGdvpcSqgRF5R2YFLP8LAV6-j3sACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Taraxacum%2Blacistophyllum%2Bsample1%2Band%2B2%2Brehydrated%2BLittlestone%2BTR0824%2BVC15%2B240421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The leaves swelled up nicely and then I pressed them in their correct shape.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJfdKxsettY/YLP-jsOq8iI/AAAAAAAAQEw/NdU0Vv37yhwR00-YrygbujlwOxtsCHANgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Taraxacum%2Blacistophyllum%2Bsample%2B1%2BLittlestone%2BTR08462437%2BVC15%2B240421%2Bpressed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1676" data-original-width="2048" height="524" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJfdKxsettY/YLP-jsOq8iI/AAAAAAAAQEw/NdU0Vv37yhwR00-YrygbujlwOxtsCHANgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h524/Taraxacum%2Blacistophyllum%2Bsample%2B1%2BLittlestone%2BTR08462437%2BVC15%2B240421%2Bpressed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Well, that's about it for Taraxacums for 2021. I didn't find anywhere near as many species as I had hoped, but those I did find were encouraging with 2 species not previously recorded in VC16 West Kent, so it was definitely worthwhile. I may do a similar exercise next year, I may not. I know the referee is rushed off his feet identifying Dandelions at this time of the year, so it's best to record the samples and wait until the rush is over before submitting your finds. Only BSBI members can use this service, see <a href="http://bsbi.org">BSBI</a> and they have referees for most species of plants.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4W8Hz5-5JWU/YLQCoY_8gSI/AAAAAAAAQE4/SRE_nZs60jsv6GXbrQn-dzkeqJxCIODMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Taraxacum%2Bfasciated%2BGallops%2BLongfield%2B090414.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1823" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4W8Hz5-5JWU/YLQCoY_8gSI/AAAAAAAAQE4/SRE_nZs60jsv6GXbrQn-dzkeqJxCIODMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Taraxacum%2Bfasciated%2BGallops%2BLongfield%2B090414.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A fasciated Dandelion from Section Ruderalia (Longfield). Avoid these and any that are mown, trampled, or grazed. That rules out a lot of Dandelions!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I hope you enjoyed the blog - it was a bit technical this time, but it helped to show that botany isn't always about the easy to identify plants. But importantly, it was still FUN looking.</p><p><br /></p><p>Take care</p><p>Dave</p><p>Twitter: @Barbus59<br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-31849708312903419702021-05-08T20:52:00.003+00:002023-03-29T22:41:22.963+00:00April 2021 Botanical Finds in Kent<p style="text-align: center;"> Well it's been a long time since I wrote a blog. With the Winter carrying on well into Spring combined with a second consecutive year of Spring drought, the wildflowers weren't doing so well, again!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's a selection of the more interesting plants I photographed this month from assorted venues.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">One of my favourite Springtime wildflowers is Toothwort, which looks like a sickly pink mini triffid sprouting out of the base of (usually) Hazel trees. I often miss these little luvvies, but I managed to see some at Ranscombe Farm near Cuxton in April. Sure enough they were parasitising Hazel trees.</p><p style="text-align: center;">They're too small to harm the tree, though if you get a huge swarm of them, the tree will be somewhat stunted and may not fruit.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lathraea squamaria</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYWgqFpy2cg/YJbsKgUxxbI/AAAAAAAAQAQ/LtRucchoBLgRSG0x654DK2ECCvlWIzPIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1109/aaa%2BLathraea%2Bsquamaria%2BToothwort%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B050421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYWgqFpy2cg/YJbsKgUxxbI/AAAAAAAAQAQ/LtRucchoBLgRSG0x654DK2ECCvlWIzPIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w462-h640/aaa%2BLathraea%2Bsquamaria%2BToothwort%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B050421.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The plant below doesn't look like much and it won't be in flower fully until mid-May providing no one picks it, tramples it or steals it. It's a Lady Orchid, a Kent speciality. This plant was all on its own so is vulnerable. Ranscombe Farm, Kent, it's a huge venue, so I won't say where!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Orchis purpurea</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0LO432AP9E/YJbs8QsEXMI/AAAAAAAAQAc/uzNrR2_GalosKcFke4THVr4o6MOuseaIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bpurpurea%2Brosette%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B050421a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="429" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0LO432AP9E/YJbs8QsEXMI/AAAAAAAAQAc/uzNrR2_GalosKcFke4THVr4o6MOuseaIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h429/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bpurpurea%2Brosette%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B050421a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Below is Wood Spurge which isn't anywhere near a wood, it's invading an arable field edge. Plus, it is right next to gardens and it looks too lime green for normal Wood Spurge.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwppUU1Ks5s/YJbtrBb9j2I/AAAAAAAAQAo/TJOJn6nUvc0vhroFDHs0Ij39J0fk1XyOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BEuphorbia%2Bamygdaloides%2Bssp%2Brobbiae%2BTurkish%2BWood%2BSpurge%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B080421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwppUU1Ks5s/YJbtrBb9j2I/AAAAAAAAQAo/TJOJn6nUvc0vhroFDHs0Ij39J0fk1XyOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BHabitat%2BEuphorbia%2Bamygdaloides%2Bssp%2Brobbiae%2BTurkish%2BWood%2BSpurge%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B080421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">It's the close cousin of our native but is called Turkish Wood Spurge, which has a similar but brighter coloured inflorescence and shiny compact green leaves. It's escaped from gardens and becoming more frequent in the wild.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Euphorbia amygdaloides ssp robbiae</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4xajDYK6Ek/YJbuYfhew2I/AAAAAAAAQA0/pLxsCbE0_8Ys62aEgC9ES6SvS6vNvCgMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BEuphorbia%2Bamygdaloides%2Bssp%2Brobbiae%2BTurkish%2BWood%2BSpurge%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B080421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4xajDYK6Ek/YJbuYfhew2I/AAAAAAAAQA0/pLxsCbE0_8Ys62aEgC9ES6SvS6vNvCgMACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BEuphorbia%2Bamygdaloides%2Bssp%2Brobbiae%2BTurkish%2BWood%2BSpurge%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B080421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">By the 11th April 2021, the first few Field mouse-ears had come into flower locally. Longfield holds the last colony in West Kent VC16 and our local councillor wants to build huge council estates all over them. They are thus likely doomed.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cerastium arvense</i><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sptFJxQO5Fc/YJbuvZ-VaFI/AAAAAAAAQA8/RtXwaH1n_2A02eAxy6Gq5eY3M6sIDPm7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCerastium%2Barvense%2BField%2BMouse%2BEar%2BTQ597695%2BLongfield%2BVC16%2B110421c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sptFJxQO5Fc/YJbuvZ-VaFI/AAAAAAAAQA8/RtXwaH1n_2A02eAxy6Gq5eY3M6sIDPm7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/aaa%2BCerastium%2Barvense%2BField%2BMouse%2BEar%2BTQ597695%2BLongfield%2BVC16%2B110421c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This looks like a weird Hairy Violet, and I suppose it is partly. The other part is from the white form of Sweet Violet as it is a hybrid between the two. The flowers were larger and dual coloured as shown. Flower stem bracts were all over the place and the hairs were short with a mixture of hairy and glabrous stems. I invited our County Recorder to visit. He took samples and he was satisfied that they were part of a hybrid swarm.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Viola hirta x odorata var imberbis = V x scabra </i> </p><p style="text-align: center;">TQ59766954 Longfield VC16 110421 <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPQVYN49DCs/YJbvTYj2lEI/AAAAAAAAQBE/ZGyNRN18oAwgXE-OK9OqRBPKS4o24DAuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BViola%2Bhirta%2Bx%2Bodorata%2Bvar%2Bimberbis%2B%253D%2BV%2Bx%2Bscabra%2BTQ59766954%2BLongfield%2BVC16%2B110421%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="800" height="538" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPQVYN49DCs/YJbvTYj2lEI/AAAAAAAAQBE/ZGyNRN18oAwgXE-OK9OqRBPKS4o24DAuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h538/aaa%2BViola%2Bhirta%2Bx%2Bodorata%2Bvar%2Bimberbis%2B%253D%2BV%2Bx%2Bscabra%2BTQ59766954%2BLongfield%2BVC16%2B110421%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dartford Heath from April to May is a haven for tiny wildflowers, most of which will have shrivelled, seeded and died off by the end of May. As such, it's wise to try and go and see them when an opportunity arises. Next to the 10p coin is one of our smaller wildflowers, Common Whitlowgrass, even dwarfed by the tiny Common Storksbill above it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Erophila verna </i>and <i>Erodium cicutarium</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssSbrWyOpjY/YJbw2Zdj98I/AAAAAAAAQBM/wM_SAtcr8DQUldm7Nv0zuIPb7u2e-XYMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s848/aaa%2BErophila%2Bverna%2BCommon%2BWhitlowgrass%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bsouth%2Beast%2B180421b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssSbrWyOpjY/YJbw2Zdj98I/AAAAAAAAQBM/wM_SAtcr8DQUldm7Nv0zuIPb7u2e-XYMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w604-h640/aaa%2BErophila%2Bverna%2BCommon%2BWhitlowgrass%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bsouth%2Beast%2B180421b.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I've quite got into Violets this Spring and one of the rarest in Kent is the Heath Dog Violet. A small colony still holds out of Dartford Heath, but they are being swamped by heather and suffering badly from drought for the second year running. As such, the flowers were small. </p><p style="text-align: center;">They are easily told apart from other violets as they are blue!<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Viola canina</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M77dQ84LZe4/YJbx6YMYmmI/AAAAAAAAQBU/zhDxKfKxkBkxwoCa96_Nmauq_nyIfae_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BViola%2Bcanina%2BHeath%2BDog%2BViolet%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bsouth%2Beast%2B180421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M77dQ84LZe4/YJbx6YMYmmI/AAAAAAAAQBU/zhDxKfKxkBkxwoCa96_Nmauq_nyIfae_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BViola%2Bcanina%2BHeath%2BDog%2BViolet%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bsouth%2Beast%2B180421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Throughout April, I was primarily searching out <i>Section Erythrosperma</i> <i>Taraxacum </i>species to record, otherwise known as small Dandelions with finely cut leaves of which there are 29 species. In Kent previously, 17 species have been recorded, most in the 1970s by Eric Philip. Given this I thought it would be a good idea to try and re-find these or even find some new records.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J81FSxM57b4/YJbz4mTjcuI/AAAAAAAAQBk/jLfbVyzSLAILNG_j-vhNEMSS2OuAqqxeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/aaa%2BTaraxacum%2Bhaworthianum%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bsouth%2Beast%2B180421180421.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J81FSxM57b4/YJbz4mTjcuI/AAAAAAAAQBk/jLfbVyzSLAILNG_j-vhNEMSS2OuAqqxeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa%2BTaraxacum%2Bhaworthianum%2BTQ5272%2BDartford%2BHeath%2Bsouth%2Beast%2B180421180421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p> I won't post any finds here yet but I will complete a Dandelion/Taraxacum blog in due course with what I found and how to identity them. I am awaiting confirmation of identities from the BSBI referee, so will wait a while yet. Watch this space!</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, I kept my eyes open for other interesting plants and lo and behold, I find another Viola hybrid. This time it's the one between Common Dog Violet and Early or Wood Dog Violet.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It was a very impressive patch of plants with very large flowers. It had features of both parents (both nearby) as shown in the photo below. I took a specimen for my herbarium and had a bit too much material so planted it in my garden and it's doing fine! I would add there were lots of hybrid plants at the site and taking one did not harm the overall population.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I found it on Preston Hill near Eynsford on a woodland edge.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUnFvYkKlvA/YJbynvJRn-I/AAAAAAAAQBc/fcyoMkanjJstUuY1jQBDnXjjyVT_mPhSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/aaa%2BViola%2Bx%2Bbavarica%2BTQ53076336%2BPreston%2BHill%2B230421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1200" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUnFvYkKlvA/YJbynvJRn-I/AAAAAAAAQBc/fcyoMkanjJstUuY1jQBDnXjjyVT_mPhSwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/aaa%2BViola%2Bx%2Bbavarica%2BTQ53076336%2BPreston%2BHill%2B230421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Of course, with all the searches for unusual dandelions and violets I was missing out on the explosion of orchids coming into flower. Twitter was full of finds of Early Purple, Green-winged and Early Spider Orchids, and I hadn't seen any.</p><p style="text-align: center;">When I did stumble across some Early Purples on Fackenden Down near Shoreham, they were stunted and parched through drought and frost. This plant below was one of about 10 all only 6-8" or so tall.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Orchis mascula</i><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrrN-k98hEg/YJb1BqnWEFI/AAAAAAAAQBs/OIK6_nUrif0OU6y0ciCHpK4JLPppqIBoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1065/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bmascula%2BTQ5360%2BFackenden%2BDown%2B250421c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrrN-k98hEg/YJb1BqnWEFI/AAAAAAAAQBs/OIK6_nUrif0OU6y0ciCHpK4JLPppqIBoQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bmascula%2BTQ5360%2BFackenden%2BDown%2B250421c.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The best part of that day though was seeing a Grizzled Skipper butterfly, the first of the season. This area is good for butterflies of all kinds, but the Grizzled Skipper is becoming quite rare. They are difficult to photograph and I had no chance of getting a photo, so here's one from the same location a few years ago that I did manage to photograph.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvtp5ttGzIg/YJb2vLZx0bI/AAAAAAAAQB8/MWxKPToJDjciiz8cab_OOUf-CdV3B_h7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Grizzled%2BSkipper%2BWhite%2BHill%2B060516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1790" data-original-width="2048" height="560" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvtp5ttGzIg/YJb2vLZx0bI/AAAAAAAAQB8/MWxKPToJDjciiz8cab_OOUf-CdV3B_h7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h560/Grizzled%2BSkipper%2BWhite%2BHill%2B060516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>And that is it for April. For the whole month there was hardly a drop of rain and it was the frostiest April on record, not ideal for botany, but it's coming good now. As I write this on the 8th May, the cold spell has finally broken and it's rained quite a bit too, both good for the plants, so I expect the May wildflowers to explode onto the scene after being held back so long.</p><p>I hope you enjoyed my first blog of 2021.</p><p><br /></p><p>Take care</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59<br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-81839147267777762552020-12-31T19:55:00.000+00:002020-12-31T19:55:51.417+00:00Botanical Assortments from Kent, September to October 2020<p> As the year progressed, I took fewer photographs as, due to ill health, I am finding it difficult to get down low to do so and very difficult to get back up again. As such, only rare or unusual plants got their photos taken. Here is a small selection from those late season trips and this blog concludes my botainical adventures from 2020.</p><p>I will use my blogs in later years to revisit the best bits of 2020, I'll try and forget everything else about it.....</p><p><br /></p><p><b>From Farninhgam Woods</b></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Bugloss - <i>Anchusa arvensis</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VA8d4lHRac/X-X82caNNoI/AAAAAAAAP04/jOMFc9G04sIE36vtclE_789KK279ZqHbACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAnchusa%2Barvensis%2BBugloss%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VA8d4lHRac/X-X82caNNoI/AAAAAAAAP04/jOMFc9G04sIE36vtclE_789KK279ZqHbACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BAnchusa%2Barvensis%2BBugloss%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The last flowering Deptford Pink -<i> Dianthus armeria - </i>a Kent RPR species<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv7w6WDvj_0/X-X9Rd2aObI/AAAAAAAAP1A/UGvTf7hYEYQpJULvv-ERCXaS2Xq4feJDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BDianthus%2Barmeria%2BDeptford%2BPink%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="800" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv7w6WDvj_0/X-X9Rd2aObI/AAAAAAAAP1A/UGvTf7hYEYQpJULvv-ERCXaS2Xq4feJDQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h438/aaa%2BDianthus%2Barmeria%2BDeptford%2BPink%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jaxt5JLkRhw/X-X9uA_UZ0I/AAAAAAAAP1I/uB1Qbn1V4kIzEcHiyO325xaIYAIQQRZdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BDianthus%2Barmeria%2BDeptford%2BPink%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jaxt5JLkRhw/X-X9uA_UZ0I/AAAAAAAAP1I/uB1Qbn1V4kIzEcHiyO325xaIYAIQQRZdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BDianthus%2Barmeria%2BDeptford%2BPink%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's the <i>Dianthus </i>habitat in the photo below. It shows the area becoming very overgrown with Sweet Chestnut, Oak and other common shrubs such as Dog Rose all crowding out <i>Dianthus</i>. This is of concern as <i>Dianthus</i> requires some disturbed ground for seed to germinate and trees from the adjoining woodland were in danger of swamping it.</p><p style="text-align: center;">As such, I contacted Natural England and sent them this photo highlighting my concerns as this site is within a SSSI. It took a few months but I am pleased to report that as a direct result of me bringing this to their attention works have been put in place to properly manage this site for <i>Dianthus</i> once again, There are very few sites left for this plant, so we don't want to lose any more. Thus a single person raising concerns can and sometimes does have a positive impact on protecting out wildlife.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDK3zKqsQgc/X-X9uEHRo0I/AAAAAAAAP1M/twDaeefRX-4rKdkBYDL18nh7ynYMyrwogCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BDianthus%2Barmeria%2BDeptford%2BPink%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDK3zKqsQgc/X-X9uEHRo0I/AAAAAAAAP1M/twDaeefRX-4rKdkBYDL18nh7ynYMyrwogCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BHabitat%2BDianthus%2Barmeria%2BDeptford%2BPink%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOJ0wSfBAQI/X-X-3HWiwKI/AAAAAAAAP1Y/SRXDsMbHFvIlqZwSG7x5Irs8l9fGE4jJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1017/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bthapsus%2BGreat%2BMullein%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOJ0wSfBAQI/X-X-3HWiwKI/AAAAAAAAP1Y/SRXDsMbHFvIlqZwSG7x5Irs8l9fGE4jJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w315-h400/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bthapsus%2BGreat%2BMullein%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820a.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A macro shot of a Great Mullein flower, conveniently at head height so no bending down to consider.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Verbascum thapsus</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The flowers of Tansy, an unusual plant in north Kent, though much more common along the River Medway.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Tanacetum vulgare </i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHt2t6tpn5g/X-X_M9MMayI/AAAAAAAAP1g/WaPZGBaigYgL4klTSlrQfvI4Hek9m7paQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTanacetum%2Bvulgare%2BTansy%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHt2t6tpn5g/X-X_M9MMayI/AAAAAAAAP1g/WaPZGBaigYgL4klTSlrQfvI4Hek9m7paQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BTanacetum%2Bvulgare%2BTansy%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Some views of Farningham Woods, a very bio diverse place with a range of habitats including acid and alkaline soils, clay, ponds, a chalk meadow and some heath.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WS9eL1Hguf8/X-X_pvX2VwI/AAAAAAAAP1o/42EgHmUF6mYnwBQTAO-hejoES5vf5V8nACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WS9eL1Hguf8/X-X_pvX2VwI/AAAAAAAAP1o/42EgHmUF6mYnwBQTAO-hejoES5vf5V8nACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Coppicing ensures bio diverse flora on the ground. However, extensive coppicing of Sweet Chestnut took place here due to the finding of an asian hornet wasp here a few years back.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CETqiEgLuE/X-X_prHclyI/AAAAAAAAP1w/_d_jP8bcrEAbdJX6HLstu__d4ROgK3bEACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CETqiEgLuE/X-X_prHclyI/AAAAAAAAP1w/_d_jP8bcrEAbdJX6HLstu__d4ROgK3bEACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5467%2B260820a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Heather growing by a signboard on a clay capped acidic hilltop.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqqGSqYmVkQ/X-X_pqHALGI/AAAAAAAAP1s/cJSPWrrUnrghFfEerVEvHO9tq1lNLwPbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="800" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqqGSqYmVkQ/X-X_pqHALGI/AAAAAAAAP1s/cJSPWrrUnrghFfEerVEvHO9tq1lNLwPbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h418/aaa%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The car park looking out over the chalk downland towards Horton Kirby.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp7R60lYZw4/X-X_qLQsqDI/AAAAAAAAP10/J_5R4dNV4FgDGWrhld6RkQnMAp_4CCJQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp7R60lYZw4/X-X_qLQsqDI/AAAAAAAAP10/J_5R4dNV4FgDGWrhld6RkQnMAp_4CCJQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/aaa%2BFarningham%2BWoods%2BTQ5468%2B260820a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Ranscombe Farm</b></p><p><br /></p><p>A stunning "Flagship" reserve managed by Plantlife near Cuxton in Kent. Here's some plants of interest from a late season visit.</p><p> the Kitchen Field is a great place to find the rare Stinking Chamomile. Crush some and the smell is vile, easy to identify from this feature alone.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Anthemis cotula</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67QsAOOhOH0/X-YA9F7mUYI/AAAAAAAAP2E/ARLsyNK1wiAknMurwwQkFbaGqYzJ0BoKACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAnthemis%2Bcotula%2BStinking%2BChamomile%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2BTQ6967%2B130920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67QsAOOhOH0/X-YA9F7mUYI/AAAAAAAAP2E/ARLsyNK1wiAknMurwwQkFbaGqYzJ0BoKACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BAnthemis%2Bcotula%2BStinking%2BChamomile%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2BTQ6967%2B130920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVs0OedG4IM/X-YBWKceh7I/AAAAAAAAP2M/jOcFlpVzBLIZjvB3EiNd_OcT9huWwpphQCLcBGAsYHQ/s957/aaa%2BLinum%2BFlax%2Bcrop%2Brelict%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7067%2B130920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVs0OedG4IM/X-YBWKceh7I/AAAAAAAAP2M/jOcFlpVzBLIZjvB3EiNd_OcT9huWwpphQCLcBGAsYHQ/w335-h400/aaa%2BLinum%2BFlax%2Bcrop%2Brelict%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7067%2B130920.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A Flax which was a crop relict.</p><p><i>Linum</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Common Calamint (not very common) close to the A228 car park.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Clinopodium ascendens</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fo-aCI9f4tk/X-YBpZbGoTI/AAAAAAAAP2U/GNwzy1u3nHsGPq2YL-1g_B6a2JdGUUAGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BClinopodium%2Bascendens%2BCommon%2BCalamint%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7167%2B130920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fo-aCI9f4tk/X-YBpZbGoTI/AAAAAAAAP2U/GNwzy1u3nHsGPq2YL-1g_B6a2JdGUUAGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BClinopodium%2Bascendens%2BCommon%2BCalamint%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7167%2B130920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">A Small Copper on Wild Carrot<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVsIhYDIGzg/X-YB-1xV_eI/AAAAAAAAP2c/Pu7ox66fV0spNgF9jgfE08RNuCSaIUarwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSmall%2BCopper%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7067%2B130920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVsIhYDIGzg/X-YB-1xV_eI/AAAAAAAAP2c/Pu7ox66fV0spNgF9jgfE08RNuCSaIUarwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BSmall%2BCopper%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7067%2B130920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYCnvJ4bG3o/X-YCRKq1E9I/AAAAAAAAP2k/A6c0PbCSXNMm6hbKPCauayZ4EACzscOzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BRapistrum%2Brugosum%2BBastard%2BCabbage%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7167%2B130920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYCnvJ4bG3o/X-YCRKq1E9I/AAAAAAAAP2k/A6c0PbCSXNMm6hbKPCauayZ4EACzscOzwCLcBGAsYHQ/w268-h400/aaa%2BRapistrum%2Brugosum%2BBastard%2BCabbage%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7167%2B130920.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Just another yellow crucifer, I bet it's hard to identify!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1D9cRzLd7wg/X-YCRIbNulI/AAAAAAAAP2o/FggPjdl9OHMR2L_Lxm8ZIli4H8Bqd4rtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/aaa%2BRapistrum%2Brugosum%2BBastard%2BCabbage%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7167%2B130920a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1D9cRzLd7wg/X-YCRIbNulI/AAAAAAAAP2o/FggPjdl9OHMR2L_Lxm8ZIli4H8Bqd4rtQCLcBGAsYHQ/w266-h400/aaa%2BRapistrum%2Brugosum%2BBastard%2BCabbage%2BRanscombe%2BTQ7167%2B130920a.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>In this case, no it isn't. The globular seeds are specific to Bastard Cabbage. Quite rare in many parts, but common enough in north Kent.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><i>Rapistrum rugosum </i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The star find was undoubtedly a single Blue Pimpernel. I've only ever found it at Ranscombe and even here it is very hard to find. The flowers are smaller than Scarlet Pimpernel and only open on sunny mornings. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ky_-JUm7zU/X-YC7EA9VuI/AAAAAAAAP20/inFXpbkxUnYT-kgkqUNA-YOW-CkG_UFvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Bfoemina%2BBlue%2BPimpernel%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2BTQ6967%2B130920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ky_-JUm7zU/X-YC7EA9VuI/AAAAAAAAP20/inFXpbkxUnYT-kgkqUNA-YOW-CkG_UFvQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Bfoemina%2BBlue%2BPimpernel%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2BTQ6967%2B130920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">There is a also blue variant of Scarlet Pimpernel (which I've never found). It can be told apart most easily by looking closely at the petal edges. In Scarlet Pimpernel there are a series of glandular tipped hairs (use a x20 lens), these are missing off the Blue Pimpernel as you can see below.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lysimachia foemina</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESrMVWFW7qs/X-YC7H6W-0I/AAAAAAAAP24/E3AleHO3Z2kM7WEg0WnCEO_FEyQjeJQKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s990/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Bfoemina%2BBlue%2BPimpernel%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2BTQ6967%2B130920b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESrMVWFW7qs/X-YC7H6W-0I/AAAAAAAAP24/E3AleHO3Z2kM7WEg0WnCEO_FEyQjeJQKQCLcBGAsYHQ/w518-h640/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Bfoemina%2BBlue%2BPimpernel%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2BTQ6967%2B130920b1.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Some fine views of Ranscombe Farm in the rolling hills of the North Downs.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDsdu5pmCY4/X-YD1y-NC6I/AAAAAAAAP3A/Ef_BRaFefUYpTdNJGJV5HFpTYGblip4hwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BRanscombe%2Bview%2B130920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDsdu5pmCY4/X-YD1y-NC6I/AAAAAAAAP3A/Ef_BRaFefUYpTdNJGJV5HFpTYGblip4hwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BRanscombe%2Bview%2B130920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyO-O-hWNDs/X-YD2nWxZ9I/AAAAAAAAP3M/CyaN9NkxUyYXc2EeMkM64fK-q3MEe1yYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BRanscombe%2Bview%2B130920c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyO-O-hWNDs/X-YD2nWxZ9I/AAAAAAAAP3M/CyaN9NkxUyYXc2EeMkM64fK-q3MEe1yYwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BRanscombe%2Bview%2B130920c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F1IFzRALwE0/X-YEaUd44_I/AAAAAAAAP3c/uVYv-WOhEpsPwYa5zOVKtRhZHB7yEiK8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BHabitat%2BLysimachia%2Bfoemina%2BBlue%2BPimpernel%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2BTQ6967%2B130920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F1IFzRALwE0/X-YEaUd44_I/AAAAAAAAP3c/uVYv-WOhEpsPwYa5zOVKtRhZHB7yEiK8gCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BHabitat%2BLysimachia%2Bfoemina%2BBlue%2BPimpernel%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2BTQ6967%2B130920.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Disturbed arable habitat for <i>Lysimachia foemina</i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p>So ends 2020. I wish you a happy 2021 and hope you can find some amazing wildflowers too.</p><p> </p><p>Take care</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59 <i><br /></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-71136924120076423352020-12-27T16:10:00.000+00:002020-12-27T16:10:31.408+00:00KWT Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve - 21/07/20<p style="text-align: center;"> This is primarily a wildfowl reserve run by the Kent Wildlife Trust near Sevenoaks. There are several lakes with paths around them, though until recently these paths did not circumnavigate the lakes. A recently opened 2 mile long path did go all the way around and so tempted us to take a walk and see what flora might be there. This is what we found of interest.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Heath Speedwell</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Veronica officinalis </i><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pI9vW-ZDjxU/X-T4qJ5pr-I/AAAAAAAAPrM/SxYKz9O1yLYFTjTpoHcohQCJ0JNzfdlFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BHeath%2BSpeedwell%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pI9vW-ZDjxU/X-T4qJ5pr-I/AAAAAAAAPrM/SxYKz9O1yLYFTjTpoHcohQCJ0JNzfdlFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BHeath%2BSpeedwell%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">We found a few stands of the alien Yellow Balsam with its pretty though small flowers, offset by its very large leaves.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Impatiens parviflora</i></p><p> <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAkwdg27iKE/X-T43ZgF__I/AAAAAAAAPrQ/QWLsqHDFTFoQMLlcCniaJtuP2vo-LkAFACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BImpatiens%2Bparviflora%2BSmall%2BBalsam%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B21072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="800" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAkwdg27iKE/X-T43ZgF__I/AAAAAAAAPrQ/QWLsqHDFTFoQMLlcCniaJtuP2vo-LkAFACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h380/aaa%2BImpatiens%2Bparviflora%2BSmall%2BBalsam%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B21072.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The image below shows the tiny flowers and large leaves of this plant.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIDQOsGMdfQ/X-T43Spu4XI/AAAAAAAAPrU/DIS4jzAN8rwixmE9dx2dnjgV0AsTZ2n4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BImpatiens%2Bparviflora%2BSmall%2BBalsam%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B21072a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIDQOsGMdfQ/X-T43Spu4XI/AAAAAAAAPrU/DIS4jzAN8rwixmE9dx2dnjgV0AsTZ2n4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BImpatiens%2Bparviflora%2BSmall%2BBalsam%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B21072a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The invasive alien New Zealand Pygmyweed in a semi dried up pond.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Crassula helmsii</i><br /> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTbn8Nx1bXc/X-T5ZC_RhPI/AAAAAAAAPrk/kgqQ_pXz_So4P-8cswCDNHDDIkPBCwaFACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCrassula%2Bhelmsii%2BNew%2BZealand%2BPygmyweed%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="800" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTbn8Nx1bXc/X-T5ZC_RhPI/AAAAAAAAPrk/kgqQ_pXz_So4P-8cswCDNHDDIkPBCwaFACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h414/aaa%2BCrassula%2Bhelmsii%2BNew%2BZealand%2BPygmyweed%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Marsh Woundwort, a plant I had not found here before the new path was opened up. Unusual in west Kent.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TGap4Fyb-Lc/X-T52hnm2vI/AAAAAAAAPrw/b4j6-hMfwlcYEI7UPynJ66Y3S8a3y10pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BStachys%2Bpalustris%2BMarsh%2BWoundwort%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B210720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TGap4Fyb-Lc/X-T52hnm2vI/AAAAAAAAPrw/b4j6-hMfwlcYEI7UPynJ66Y3S8a3y10pQCLcBGAsYHQ/w268-h400/aaa%2BStachys%2Bpalustris%2BMarsh%2BWoundwort%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B210720a.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Stachys palustris </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueJyqqNbTHk/X-T52vczQpI/AAAAAAAAPrs/kmP9DD2ce9kJXVYO7ZVXzYIkZAR6dRmAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BStachys%2Bpalustris%2BMarsh%2BWoundwort%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B210720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueJyqqNbTHk/X-T52vczQpI/AAAAAAAAPrs/kmP9DD2ce9kJXVYO7ZVXzYIkZAR6dRmAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BStachys%2Bpalustris%2BMarsh%2BWoundwort%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B210720b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vcr2Yy_kxTs/X-T6C_i9JqI/AAAAAAAAPr0/0RcumEJqkoIhsU7D2goHBqyoXtb5On1EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BFilipendula%2Bulmaria%2BMeadwosweet%2BKWT%2BSevenoaks%2BTQ5257%2B21072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vcr2Yy_kxTs/X-T6C_i9JqI/AAAAAAAAPr0/0RcumEJqkoIhsU7D2goHBqyoXtb5On1EwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BFilipendula%2Bulmaria%2BMeadwosweet%2BKWT%2BSevenoaks%2BTQ5257%2B21072.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Meadowsweet was present in some lake marginal areas.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Filipendula ulmaria</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7JDri0GW34/X-T6W74d2iI/AAAAAAAAPsI/XS-eU39YAi8fObmtC55YAkT0OnFdzjKjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BLycopus%2Beuropaeus%2BGypsywort%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B210720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7JDri0GW34/X-T6W74d2iI/AAAAAAAAPsI/XS-eU39YAi8fObmtC55YAkT0OnFdzjKjgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BLycopus%2Beuropaeus%2BGypsywort%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B210720b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Gypsywort's leaves give it's identity away even without flowers, though at this time of the year, they are flowering nicely. Small whorls of tiny flowers speckled with purple dots surround the stem.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lycopus europaeus</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk0YjGUK_Nc/X-T6uOZcpII/AAAAAAAAPsU/ZishCve-iYw5LkHHRsVHGcLvRiJxfqFhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLycopus%2Beuropaeus%2BGypsywort%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B210720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk0YjGUK_Nc/X-T6uOZcpII/AAAAAAAAPsU/ZishCve-iYw5LkHHRsVHGcLvRiJxfqFhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BLycopus%2Beuropaeus%2BGypsywort%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B210720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I then found some unusual Forget-me-nots. These were usually Water FMN but they looked rather different. So much so I wondered if they were a hybrid or possible <i>M. laxa</i>? I took lots of photos and the County Recorder decided to visit the reserve a while later. Whilst the following plants did not follow most textbook descriptions of <i>M. scorpioides</i> measurements showed they were just that after all. Given this, I haven't uploaded all the photos of hairs and stems, just the pretty flowers!<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Water Forget - me- not</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Myosotis scorpioides</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkN-agYMdB8/X-T7aps7cZI/AAAAAAAAPsc/qanQzhQ1qEk2Ui54cjf9lcuN1nfgEs8fACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMyosotis%2Blaxa%2BTufted%2BForget%2Bme%2BNot%2BKWT%2BSevenoaks%2BTQ5257%2B21072c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="800" height="520" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkN-agYMdB8/X-T7aps7cZI/AAAAAAAAPsc/qanQzhQ1qEk2Ui54cjf9lcuN1nfgEs8fACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h520/aaa%2BMyosotis%2Blaxa%2BTufted%2BForget%2Bme%2BNot%2BKWT%2BSevenoaks%2BTQ5257%2B21072c.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a drier part of the path were plenty of Scarlet Pimpernels. I always like looking at these to try and find the variants. Flowers are usually red/orange, but can also be dark pink, creamy white to pink, and blue! Note the recent name change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lysimachia arvensis (forma arvensis) </i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-JBqbZBpV4/X-T7wuTZq_I/AAAAAAAAPsk/JYYfsKFb7TgxVv2zjGZybcTwyiQPB6mKACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Barvensis%2Bf%2Barvensis%2BScarlet%2BPimpernel%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-JBqbZBpV4/X-T7wuTZq_I/AAAAAAAAPsk/JYYfsKFb7TgxVv2zjGZybcTwyiQPB6mKACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Barvensis%2Bf%2Barvensis%2BScarlet%2BPimpernel%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Also in the drier parts but on a pre-existing path was a large stand of Pennyroyal. These had been previously recorded here before, but oddly I had never spotted them, despite 7 years worth of visits! I must have never been there in late July before I suppose. I have no idea as to their origin but it would be an odd place to plant them where they were found. I supsect it was from a seed mix when the site was landscaped by a quarrying company back in the 1960s. A Kent rare plant.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Mentha pulegium </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGFQZorah5U/X-T82M5xCbI/AAAAAAAAPss/tNayFEFIklcrZZHi53UonqcXhxM6sF0UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMentha%2Bpulegium%2BPenyroyal%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGFQZorah5U/X-T82M5xCbI/AAAAAAAAPss/tNayFEFIklcrZZHi53UonqcXhxM6sF0UQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BMentha%2Bpulegium%2BPenyroyal%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Superficially they look like a skinny form of a Mentha hybrid, but the leaves are smaller and well spaced and the calyces are very hairy.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was very pleased with finding this as to date this species had eluded me in Kent. </span></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VA_I6de30pg/X-T82ZG8MPI/AAAAAAAAPsw/3D9dJt7TNJs6hM_JFJVY5t96nfUR_kMbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BMentha%2Bpulegium%2BPenyroyal%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VA_I6de30pg/X-T82ZG8MPI/AAAAAAAAPsw/3D9dJt7TNJs6hM_JFJVY5t96nfUR_kMbgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BMentha%2Bpulegium%2BPenyroyal%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78V-TVokJlU/X-T82V-I5aI/AAAAAAAAPs0/mFN73JHPhhkS2Fn1qBlg63rpAaAyGBPigCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMentha%2Bpulegium%2BPenyroyal%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="800" height="564" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78V-TVokJlU/X-T82V-I5aI/AAAAAAAAPs0/mFN73JHPhhkS2Fn1qBlg63rpAaAyGBPigCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h564/aaa%2BMentha%2Bpulegium%2BPenyroyal%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's a large irridescent green beetle on an in bud Water Mint.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZiOG2dlxLg/X-T9m8CsZjI/AAAAAAAAPtE/fXSHh7baE9MvUAMJyEKAlYH-9JfLGAq5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BBeetle%2Bon%2BMentha%2Baquatica%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="800" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZiOG2dlxLg/X-T9m8CsZjI/AAAAAAAAPtE/fXSHh7baE9MvUAMJyEKAlYH-9JfLGAq5QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h444/aaa%2BBeetle%2Bon%2BMentha%2Baquatica%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">A view towards the chalky North Downs from the reserve circular path.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6OoE42N4Gc/X-T95mUIoOI/AAAAAAAAPtM/L7V1F3J1bfko4LF8q0ANTglKijCMJFVfACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B21072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6OoE42N4Gc/X-T95mUIoOI/AAAAAAAAPtM/L7V1F3J1bfko4LF8q0ANTglKijCMJFVfACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BKWT%2BSevenoaksTQ5257%2B21072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Both Common and Water Figworts were present here, both are quite tall
and the flowers look pretty much the same. The leaves are the best way
to tell them apart, there's a photo below. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Scrophularia auriculata</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlFBBOgTZ98/X-T-KcncFsI/AAAAAAAAPtU/TydBv2PIGAIDMbT93ASKKzCCwcQog_xTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1049/aaa%2BScrophularia%2Bauriculata%2BWater%2BFigwort%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlFBBOgTZ98/X-T-KcncFsI/AAAAAAAAPtU/TydBv2PIGAIDMbT93ASKKzCCwcQog_xTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w305-h400/aaa%2BScrophularia%2Bauriculata%2BWater%2BFigwort%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720b.jpg" width="305" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TojXBspZLg/X-UA7Ve9ZNI/AAAAAAAAPt4/dSp-3qr9MLMs6ZcY7J2nr3Q3p6pf3qzRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BScrophularia%2Bauriculata%2BWater%2BFigwort%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TojXBspZLg/X-UA7Ve9ZNI/AAAAAAAAPt4/dSp-3qr9MLMs6ZcY7J2nr3Q3p6pf3qzRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BScrophularia%2Bauriculata%2BWater%2BFigwort%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewOkEtvUz-M/X-T-y7ZmWYI/AAAAAAAAPtc/9bd6j76HY9cLcz71EewF1H3a2OhYVuF8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BEpilobium%2Ba%2BWIllowherb%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewOkEtvUz-M/X-T-y7ZmWYI/AAAAAAAAPtc/9bd6j76HY9cLcz71EewF1H3a2OhYVuF8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BEpilobium%2Ba%2BWIllowherb%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Willowherbs should be easy to identify. However, they interbreed and cross back with either parent forming hybrid swarms and in fact are usually not easy to identify at all!</p><p> </p><p>This particular one struck me with a single vivid purple flower. It was quite small and was alone, thus I could not compare it with any others nearby.</p><p> </p><p>So I sent this and some other photos to the County Recorder and he stated it was simply Hoary Willowherb, a common species, but one I had never seen with such a beautiful flower on as here. I would add he is also the BSBI referee for Epilobiums.<br /></p><p> </p><p><i>Epilobium parviflorum </i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Plants like the one below with 4 petalled flowers are invariably<i> P. x mixta</i> a hybrid cinquefoil. However, these usually (always prior to this find) had a mix of 4 and 5 petalled flowers. These all had only 4 petals. The leaves are clearly not a match to Tormentil, so that leaves the hybrid or Trailing Tormentil as possible species. Unfortunately, I was too early to find this and identify it. To do so with any accuracy one must disregard them when there are not at least 3 withered flowers behind the open one (as recommended in the BSBI Plant Crib). I could find no withered flowers or seeds, thus the plant remains unidentified.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Probably <i>P. x mixta</i> (Hybrid Cinquefoil)</span><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ4hhaE7Y80/X-T_mYpeNtI/AAAAAAAAPtk/iA1H9JNRYI4YcZ27Jkpp5mCtv3YgxrTugCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BPotentilla%2Banglica%2Bor%2Berecta%2Bx%2Breptans%2B%253D%2BP%2Bx%2Bmixta%2Bsl%2BHybrid%2BCinquefoil%2BKWT%2BSevenoaks%2BTQ5257%2B210720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ4hhaE7Y80/X-T_mYpeNtI/AAAAAAAAPtk/iA1H9JNRYI4YcZ27Jkpp5mCtv3YgxrTugCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BPotentilla%2Banglica%2Bor%2Berecta%2Bx%2Breptans%2B%253D%2BP%2Bx%2Bmixta%2Bsl%2BHybrid%2BCinquefoil%2BKWT%2BSevenoaks%2BTQ5257%2B210720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6NN1oereYE/X-T_mf5jQnI/AAAAAAAAPto/nBDKKCaH8UI7yAWmRzfhb9HUzv7LZZVtACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BPotentilla%2Banglica%2Bor%2Berecta%2Bx%2Breptans%2B%253D%2BP%2Bx%2Bmixta%2Bsl%2BHybrid%2BCinquefoil%2BKWT%2BSevenoaks%2BTQ5257%2B210720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6NN1oereYE/X-T_mf5jQnI/AAAAAAAAPto/nBDKKCaH8UI7yAWmRzfhb9HUzv7LZZVtACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h268/aaa%2BPotentilla%2Banglica%2Bor%2Berecta%2Bx%2Breptans%2B%253D%2BP%2Bx%2Bmixta%2Bsl%2BHybrid%2BCinquefoil%2BKWT%2BSevenoaks%2BTQ5257%2B210720a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Some views around the reserve.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1dHstJwlgs/X-UBPbb_vQI/AAAAAAAAPuA/SsSknasqqQ0etIMZX_BbB4Pzv5o2lHsegCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="800" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1dHstJwlgs/X-UBPbb_vQI/AAAAAAAAPuA/SsSknasqqQ0etIMZX_BbB4Pzv5o2lHsegCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h390/aaa%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-mj5BapH0Y/X-UBPalelUI/AAAAAAAAPuE/cWzgM-tgmF4J476xra8ktji4EiWP0l69ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-mj5BapH0Y/X-UBPalelUI/AAAAAAAAPuE/cWzgM-tgmF4J476xra8ktji4EiWP0l69ACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BSevenoaks%2BKWT%2BTQ5256%2B210720a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>So ended a very nice Summer's day walk around this reserve.</p><p>The new path opened up the way to finding some new plants and provided some new habitats too. I noted some gone over Common Spotted Orchids too.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>As always, the walk threw up some difficult to identify plants and this is the benefit of being a member of a botanical group such as the BSBI or KBRG. Most counties have a botanical group. Go to bsbi.org find the map of the UK and Eire and click on your county for details local to you.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>If groups aren't your thing, you can submit plant photos every Sunday on Twitter between 8-9pm tagged #wildflowerID and the wonderful wildflowerhour team will ID most plants for you free of charge and with a happy to help attitude.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p>Hope you liked the blog.</p><p>Take care</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-39024918615988749332020-12-26T16:25:00.000+00:002020-12-26T16:25:23.530+00:00Luddesdown, Kent - 26th July 2020<p style="text-align: center;"> The North Downs around Luddesdown is in an area of outstanding natural beauty with steep rolling downs and patchworks of fields and copses. It was here I chose to explore and expand upon the botanical records for the area whilst I was there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nQRlgHv7Wg/X-XppKSYW0I/AAAAAAAAPxg/L_TZssyqKJoi9GvtPm1IRCcSGyMPlv2QACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nQRlgHv7Wg/X-XppKSYW0I/AAAAAAAAPxg/L_TZssyqKJoi9GvtPm1IRCcSGyMPlv2QACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Chickory is unmissable as it is a big plant with big blue, showy flowers. It's becoming quite rare in England and is on the Kent RPR (rare plant register) so as to monitor populations. There is some debate over whether it is an archeotype or native, though I think in Kent it probably is native. I am sure if this species were simply from cultivation it would have died out many years ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8SXmEj_DyQ/X-XqrD0yYoI/AAAAAAAAPxs/w_mQzpegnTA5Q-n5InX1DOrxiBS9EzleACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BCichorium%2Bintybus%2BChickory%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8SXmEj_DyQ/X-XqrD0yYoI/AAAAAAAAPxs/w_mQzpegnTA5Q-n5InX1DOrxiBS9EzleACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BCichorium%2Bintybus%2BChickory%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cichorium intybus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EmXg4cnS0E/X-XqzdaBrWI/AAAAAAAAPxw/4U0IvV1FV94-jACx-tSgu4qWWS4qKZyzACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCichorium%2Bintybus%2BChickory%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="800" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EmXg4cnS0E/X-XqzdaBrWI/AAAAAAAAPxw/4U0IvV1FV94-jACx-tSgu4qWWS4qKZyzACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h396/aaa%2BCichorium%2Bintybus%2BChickory%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Borage was found growing as an arable "weed" amongst farmed fruit bushes. Most likely sown as ground cover, but this species does tend to pop up along roadsides and field edges occasionally.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Borago officinalis</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCMQJ1YYGnU/X-Xq_-Um2EI/AAAAAAAAPx4/3sCr1t1HmDM_V2-sqMNdQNfFT0Re5G4iACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BBorago%2Bofficinalis%2BBorage%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCMQJ1YYGnU/X-Xq_-Um2EI/AAAAAAAAPx4/3sCr1t1HmDM_V2-sqMNdQNfFT0Re5G4iACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BBorago%2Bofficinalis%2BBorage%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072b.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A quiet country lane meanders through this area and its verges are home to many wildflowers including these beautiful Nettle-leaved Bellflowers. They grow to around four feet tall and have multiple quite large flowers up the stem. As the name suggests the leaves are nettle shaped ( see photo below).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ynt2wBrNOZA/X-Xri7TEY-I/AAAAAAAAPyE/qPBAsNiEjqcGWEd6BsPPkXsIwnwJK1jDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCampanula%2Btrachelium%2BNettle%2BLvd%2BBellflower%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ynt2wBrNOZA/X-Xri7TEY-I/AAAAAAAAPyE/qPBAsNiEjqcGWEd6BsPPkXsIwnwJK1jDwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BCampanula%2Btrachelium%2BNettle%2BLvd%2BBellflower%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Campanula trachelium</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oYriCGH5Wg/X-Xri1w02YI/AAAAAAAAPyI/t8CtykfXx14sxUl-KA5v79wkAmdd1XmWACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCampanula%2Btrachelium%2BNettle%2BLvd%2BBellflower%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oYriCGH5Wg/X-Xri1w02YI/AAAAAAAAPyI/t8CtykfXx14sxUl-KA5v79wkAmdd1XmWACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BCampanula%2Btrachelium%2BNettle%2BLvd%2BBellflower%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zU5wVWJF9CY/X-Xsg8CVqLI/AAAAAAAAPyU/q0y1_MJmwWs-kH1BjZFiZCJ_NL3XkU3CQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1129/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bnutans%2BMusk%2BThistle%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zU5wVWJF9CY/X-Xsg8CVqLI/AAAAAAAAPyU/q0y1_MJmwWs-kH1BjZFiZCJ_NL3XkU3CQCLcBGAsYHQ/w454-h640/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bnutans%2BMusk%2BThistle%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072c.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Thistles sometimes get bad press, especially the very common Creeping Thistle which can be a pest at times. However, this beauty is not at all common and is a Musk Thistle.</p><p><br /></p><p>I particularly like the massive stiff bracts under the flowerhead, they are very sharp as are the spines on the leaves, so don't go sitting on one now!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Carduus nutans</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I do like the Violas as they can always throw up a surprise as here. Growing side by side on an ex-arable slope was a Field Pansy (small flower) and its hybrid with Wild Pansy (larger flower). I am finding this hybrid more and more yet I fail to find the Wild Pansy parent. I guess there must be some around but I rarely find any. I would advise buying the BSBI handbook for <i>Violas</i> to properly identify hybrids. Although they are generally obvious to the eye, it's always worth checking features from the books to see what you really have found. In this case below, the larger flower has long petals exceeding the length of the sepals and the flower structure is somewhat 3D and not flat as would be expected in Wild Pansy.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Viola arvensis x tricolor = V x contempta</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u7eeOp_nKNs/X-XtEpMDiII/AAAAAAAAPyc/d7fRdnoKhu0FTGsm0XzcEwM9Km_AykqPACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BViola%2Barvensis%2Bx%2Btricolor%2B%253D%2BV%2Bx%2Bcontempta%2BHYbrid%2BPansy%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u7eeOp_nKNs/X-XtEpMDiII/AAAAAAAAPyc/d7fRdnoKhu0FTGsm0XzcEwM9Km_AykqPACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BViola%2Barvensis%2Bx%2Btricolor%2B%253D%2BV%2Bx%2Bcontempta%2BHYbrid%2BPansy%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072e.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Round-leaved Fluellen was also in the ex arable field with its stunning but tiny flowers and large round leaves. I always notice the leaves first from a standing height as the flowers are only a few millimetres across and not easily spotted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Kickxia spuria</i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8C0Fa0HeD9M/X-Xt9-NXrtI/AAAAAAAAPyk/WpZB5WyEQZIMhRoj3JtFn-8MAKUvAR_ngCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BKickxia%2Bspuria%2BRound%2BLvd%2BFluellen%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="800" height="470" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8C0Fa0HeD9M/X-Xt9-NXrtI/AAAAAAAAPyk/WpZB5WyEQZIMhRoj3JtFn-8MAKUvAR_ngCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h470/aaa%2BKickxia%2Bspuria%2BRound%2BLvd%2BFluellen%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grxj7Np4DIc/X-XuhTEulNI/AAAAAAAAPys/bi9pgr5QebkrPcfgQafU89ylhVL8ubiyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1063/aaa%2BChaenorhinum%2Bminus%2BSmall%2BToadflax%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grxj7Np4DIc/X-XuhTEulNI/AAAAAAAAPys/bi9pgr5QebkrPcfgQafU89ylhVL8ubiyACLcBGAsYHQ/w301-h400/aaa%2BChaenorhinum%2Bminus%2BSmall%2BToadflax%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072a.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Small Toadflax from the ex arable.</p><p>The plant isn't small but the flowers are. If you look very closely with an eye glass they are usually tinged pink.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Chaenorhinum minus</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wS0z8abZt5k/X-XvAdUq70I/AAAAAAAAPy0/TXiiRWN2rSoGZL7aX-xYAY3QnX3DZy0AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BThymus%2Bpulegioides%2BLarge%2BThyme%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wS0z8abZt5k/X-XvAdUq70I/AAAAAAAAPy0/TXiiRWN2rSoGZL7aX-xYAY3QnX3DZy0AQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BThymus%2Bpulegioides%2BLarge%2BThyme%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Large Thyme and Wild Thyme have virtually identical flowers. Both can be very small, low to the ground and to some extent form mats.</p><p> </p><p>Sometimes they even grow next to each other (wonder if there's a hybrid?), both grow on the chalk here, and both smell of Thyme when crushed, so how does one tell them apart properly? <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjFLGt3Ay_I/X-XvAQVIWTI/AAAAAAAAPy4/P1hZQijK1_ADTGLppbCvk9slOXs5-gS8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1111/aaa%2BThymus%2Bpulegioides%2BLarge%2BThyme%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjFLGt3Ay_I/X-XvAQVIWTI/AAAAAAAAPy4/P1hZQijK1_ADTGLppbCvk9slOXs5-gS8gCLcBGAsYHQ/w460-h640/aaa%2BThymus%2Bpulegioides%2BLarge%2BThyme%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072b.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br /><p>Well, these plants were unusually obliging as they were taller than usual allowing easy access for the camera to photograph the stem, as that is the key to separating these two species.</p><p> </p><p>Wild Thyme - Two opposite stem faces hairy alternating with two hairless sides, no long hairs on angles.</p><p> </p><p>Large Thyme (as photo)</p><p>Sharply four angled stems, long hairs on angles.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><i>Thymus pulegioides </i><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Ploughmans Spikenard is a tall bushy annual plant with a head of small yellow flowers. It's relatively inconspicuous as the flowers lack ray petals. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/spiplo79.html">https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/spiplo79.html</a> gives more detail on the uses for this (and other) species over the millenia.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Inula conyza</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_kgBBaXUZY/X-Xw9H__DYI/AAAAAAAAPzE/cWZrA8uyaKs51zlA6rCr5ggo3-WKiDJ-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BInula%2Bconyzae%2BPloughmans%2BSpikenard%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="800" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_kgBBaXUZY/X-Xw9H__DYI/AAAAAAAAPzE/cWZrA8uyaKs51zlA6rCr5ggo3-WKiDJ-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h396/aaa%2BInula%2Bconyzae%2BPloughmans%2BSpikenard%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">A field edge had a fine display of Field Scabious with the usual lilac coloured flowers interspersed with the white flowered variant.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9smoVfCnyf0/X-Xxkq_5yGI/AAAAAAAAPzM/0Rj4cofS614LvEmwsguV566k03edoE4BgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BKnautia%2Barvensis%2BField%2BScabious%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9smoVfCnyf0/X-Xxkq_5yGI/AAAAAAAAPzM/0Rj4cofS614LvEmwsguV566k03edoE4BgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BKnautia%2Barvensis%2BField%2BScabious%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Knautia arvensis </i>(var. albiflora)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFEtWRNjH9U/X-XxkpFPSsI/AAAAAAAAPzQ/vfLIu29HGQ0bXIvOXDjNkgomjrM6058KACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BKnautia%2Barvensis%2BField%2BScabious%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFEtWRNjH9U/X-XxkpFPSsI/AAAAAAAAPzQ/vfLIu29HGQ0bXIvOXDjNkgomjrM6058KACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BKnautia%2Barvensis%2BField%2BScabious%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg7CWi1vAy0/X-XyFFANUII/AAAAAAAAPzg/G9u6NJrQym8uUgcWVIS45XYdCR9BoKZ5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BLactuca%2Bserriola%2BPrickly%2BLettuce%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg7CWi1vAy0/X-XyFFANUII/AAAAAAAAPzg/G9u6NJrQym8uUgcWVIS45XYdCR9BoKZ5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w429-h640/aaa%2BLactuca%2Bserriola%2BPrickly%2BLettuce%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720b.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This is Prickly Lettuce, a common plant, often overlooked as the flowers are tiny and produced in small racemes near the top of the plant.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I think they are quite an impressive plant as is their relative the Great Lettuce.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lactuca serriola</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_A3vgMRI5wY/X-XyFJgZ59I/AAAAAAAAPzc/VdniSQjBrhA3lkxx-YKHhCViG_XsHLMAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLactuca%2Bserriola%2BPrickly%2BLettuce%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_A3vgMRI5wY/X-XyFJgZ59I/AAAAAAAAPzc/VdniSQjBrhA3lkxx-YKHhCViG_XsHLMAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BLactuca%2Bserriola%2BPrickly%2BLettuce%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">One of the fine views.<br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VatGo9bMtE/X-Xy3su-AoI/AAAAAAAAPzs/8RocfT6dR1kHODm2NdQNPqzGa-qrad-ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VatGo9bMtE/X-Xy3su-AoI/AAAAAAAAPzs/8RocfT6dR1kHODm2NdQNPqzGa-qrad-ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720b.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not so good at chasing butterflies any more, but if they stay still, I'm up to having a go at taking a photo or two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a Marbled White, a chalk grassland favourite. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span>Melanargia galathea</span></i></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9zGlwvbvxY/X-XzK0dg1wI/AAAAAAAAPz8/rn0HYIkejqkiZOy3JxmTyrmDPPJIOlRngCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMarbled%2BWhite%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9zGlwvbvxY/X-XzK0dg1wI/AAAAAAAAPz8/rn0HYIkejqkiZOy3JxmTyrmDPPJIOlRngCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BMarbled%2BWhite%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the Autumn and into Winter, the following plant is called Old Man's Beard, thanks to the swirly shapes of the hairs around the seeds, but here it is in flower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Traveller's Joy, apparently also a favourite of this visiting honey bee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Clematis vitalba </i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPD4Vsjh-Vk/X-XznYpRW1I/AAAAAAAAP0E/8A3_uo9P548iJPQW5hO_Rnm-1HNlzjVYACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BClematis%2Bvitalba%2BTravellers%2BJoy%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="800" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPD4Vsjh-Vk/X-XznYpRW1I/AAAAAAAAP0E/8A3_uo9P548iJPQW5hO_Rnm-1HNlzjVYACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h440/aaa%2BClematis%2Bvitalba%2BTravellers%2BJoy%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B26072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">If you sit down on chalk grassland you are more than likely going to feel one of the following thistles prickling your behind. It is often hidden by other plants in the short turf too.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Here it is in flower, the Dwarf or Stemless Thistle. I prefer the Dwarf name as I have seen several flowers with stems up to 6" long, so hardly stemless.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cirsium acaule</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BBDRDuYsMw/X-X0L7oYueI/AAAAAAAAP0M/4xhiMnCWTDMIqmKtQUC9BBYa8H5SNDT-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCirsium%2Bacaule%2BDwarf%2BThistle%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BBDRDuYsMw/X-X0L7oYueI/AAAAAAAAP0M/4xhiMnCWTDMIqmKtQUC9BBYa8H5SNDT-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BCirsium%2Bacaule%2BDwarf%2BThistle%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The chalk also threw up the beautiful Clustered Bellflower, another Kent RPR species. To give some scale, these were only about 8" tall. There's a Wood Sage plant in the background too.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Campanula glomerata</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iONXgj9ENM/X-X07f2JORI/AAAAAAAAP0Y/VU1bsRBqKHEAtgvQIUflLRe05g2Ar-V0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCampanula%2Bglomerata%2BClustered%2BBellflower%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iONXgj9ENM/X-X07f2JORI/AAAAAAAAP0Y/VU1bsRBqKHEAtgvQIUflLRe05g2Ar-V0gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BCampanula%2Bglomerata%2BClustered%2BBellflower%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Absolutely stunning.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8099rK2cqI/X-X07V0upoI/AAAAAAAAP0U/4CwfSAU3qvoc-jUqbxcPqAdIkNDGZw_5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCampanula%2Bglomerata%2BClustered%2BBellflower%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8099rK2cqI/X-X07V0upoI/AAAAAAAAP0U/4CwfSAU3qvoc-jUqbxcPqAdIkNDGZw_5QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BCampanula%2Bglomerata%2BClustered%2BBellflower%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">As I walked back to my car along the lane I noticed a large Solanum type plant growing in the verge. Its origin was most likely fly tipped potatoes that had rooted and flourished in the shelter of a semi shaded verge. The flowers are several times bigger than Black Nightshade which has identical looking, but much smaller flowers.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Solanum tuberosum</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjCTCIssOqE/X-X2CS274LI/AAAAAAAAP0w/mzoMhxc255ULwNzpYzwOvZADw9W4ZY96gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSolanum%2Btuberosum%2BPotato%2Bin%2Blay%2Bby%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjCTCIssOqE/X-X2CS274LI/AAAAAAAAP0w/mzoMhxc255ULwNzpYzwOvZADw9W4ZY96gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BSolanum%2Btuberosum%2BPotato%2Bin%2Blay%2Bby%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bjEVDlUltU/X-X1ppiWprI/AAAAAAAAP0g/O9N5GmyTKwkw6Jb1rBsqLkSCpP-EXUw_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSolanum%2Btuberosum%2BPotato%2Bin%2Blay%2Bby%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bjEVDlUltU/X-X1ppiWprI/AAAAAAAAP0g/O9N5GmyTKwkw6Jb1rBsqLkSCpP-EXUw_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BSolanum%2Btuberosum%2BPotato%2Bin%2Blay%2Bby%2BLuddesdown%2BTQ6666%2B260720L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">So ended another lovely Summer's day walk. I so look forward to next Summer and hope that I can once again enjoy the wonders of nature.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Take care</p><p style="text-align: left;">Dave</p><p style="text-align: left;">Twitter: @Barbus59<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-85830685315344248922020-12-25T13:16:00.001+00:002020-12-25T13:16:09.067+00:00Merry Christmas 2020<p> It's Christmas Day as I publish this blog. It's been a horrible year with Covid-19 restricting movement and later infecting us and making us ill. However, enough of that. Here's a selection of some of the UK wild orchids I found in this and previous years to hopefully bring you some Christmas cheer and to look forward to a Happy New Year to come.</p><p>I hope you like them.</p><p>In alphabetical (latin name) order:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xUH_Jdkqd8/X-UHDyGf4xI/AAAAAAAAPuQ/wujVambYb847FoF2cigOJnsiu_yi4z7FACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Anacamptis%2Bmorio%2BMarden%2BMeadow%2B100514a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xUH_Jdkqd8/X-UHDyGf4xI/AAAAAAAAPuQ/wujVambYb847FoF2cigOJnsiu_yi4z7FACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Anacamptis%2Bmorio%2BMarden%2BMeadow%2B100514a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> <i>Anacamptis morio</i></p><p>Green-winged orchid<br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Anacamptis pyramidalis</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Pyramidal Orchid<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmb4_u2_Qsk/X-UHQxGdXPI/AAAAAAAAPuU/-KeiuNxM4-ccROYrW0i6yJgygPGJ2FGvACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Anacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BSandwich%2B210614a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmb4_u2_Qsk/X-UHQxGdXPI/AAAAAAAAPuU/-KeiuNxM4-ccROYrW0i6yJgygPGJ2FGvACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Anacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BSandwich%2B210614a.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Common spotted orchid <br /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1cLPkOKS1Y/X-UHvHG_vJI/AAAAAAAAPuk/FKdtap2pnVAI_xiSHbpbVgjDYLddKSHfACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Dactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BA229%2BRNR%2B230614c%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1cLPkOKS1Y/X-UHvHG_vJI/AAAAAAAAPuk/FKdtap2pnVAI_xiSHbpbVgjDYLddKSHfACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Dactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BA229%2BRNR%2B230614c%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hw4N7UC49Z8/X-UIIEvEZKI/AAAAAAAAPuw/ylvh4COcUZg0Y-WUPrwkuuuq6kEWEiZAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Dactylorhiza%2Bpraetermissa%2BSandwich%2B210614b%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hw4N7UC49Z8/X-UIIEvEZKI/AAAAAAAAPuw/ylvh4COcUZg0Y-WUPrwkuuuq6kEWEiZAgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Dactylorhiza%2Bpraetermissa%2BSandwich%2B210614b%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i>Dactylorhiza praetermissa</i></p><p>Southern marsh orchid</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKwap1HUd_I/X-UIbhFa68I/AAAAAAAAPu4/ckU0vGeU09sD0Gxbst4X7TMB5eUUc6duQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Dactylorhiza%2Bincarnata%2Bspp%2Bcoccinea%2BEarly%2BMarsh%2BOrchid%2BKenfig%2B220616a.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKwap1HUd_I/X-UIbhFa68I/AAAAAAAAPu4/ckU0vGeU09sD0Gxbst4X7TMB5eUUc6duQCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Dactylorhiza%2Bincarnata%2Bspp%2Bcoccinea%2BEarly%2BMarsh%2BOrchid%2BKenfig%2B220616a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i>Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp coccinea</i></p><p>Early marsh orchid</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cephalanthera damasonium</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">White Helleborine</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5nW6Qeqp5A/X-UI0DwLadI/AAAAAAAAPvA/6pNc4YEa88gfbDPefmG0ddrYkUFls_k5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Cephalanthera%2Bdamasonium%2BWoolage%2B300515a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="2048" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5nW6Qeqp5A/X-UI0DwLadI/AAAAAAAAPvA/6pNc4YEa88gfbDPefmG0ddrYkUFls_k5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h472/Cephalanthera%2Bdamasonium%2BWoolage%2B300515a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8CBOctDNYk/X-UJGbo2JeI/AAAAAAAAPvI/cVrJvS5PupQcxG5oKlIGK3JT2JnxiAihwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Epipactis%2Bhelleborine%2BThe%2BLarches%2B310713cc.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1406" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8CBOctDNYk/X-UJGbo2JeI/AAAAAAAAPvI/cVrJvS5PupQcxG5oKlIGK3JT2JnxiAihwCLcBGAsYHQ/w440-h640/Epipactis%2Bhelleborine%2BThe%2BLarches%2B310713cc.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><i>Epipactis helleborine</i></p><p>Broad-leaved helleborine</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Epipactis palustris</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Marsh helleborine</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKs2BzqV1lc/X-UJXpUSrhI/AAAAAAAAPvQ/P9icTq1a8GUDJCqnvPQYLkihHx4lXFviACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Epipactis%2Bpalustris%2BSandwich%2B070718b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1784" data-original-width="2048" height="558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKs2BzqV1lc/X-UJXpUSrhI/AAAAAAAAPvQ/P9icTq1a8GUDJCqnvPQYLkihHx4lXFviACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h558/Epipactis%2Bpalustris%2BSandwich%2B070718b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Gymnadenia conopsea</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Chalk fragrant orchid<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpNe6xnMFYo/X-UJmgKgweI/AAAAAAAAPvU/__RpOKaX5PcWaJqXX7serqnjJeD7VHnIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Gymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2BCFO%2BMagpie%2BBottom%2B260616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1943" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpNe6xnMFYo/X-UJmgKgweI/AAAAAAAAPvU/__RpOKaX5PcWaJqXX7serqnjJeD7VHnIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w608-h640/Gymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2BCFO%2BMagpie%2BBottom%2B260616.jpg" width="608" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot2o8w5U1PQ/X-UJ55x2jGI/AAAAAAAAPvg/E4AFg8HkLz8L2sxNxTa7Xfs0NRbYZUjaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Herminium%2Bmonorchris%2BMusk%2BOrchid%2BSouth%2Bof%2BCrookhorn%2BWood%2B190616k.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1403" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot2o8w5U1PQ/X-UJ55x2jGI/AAAAAAAAPvg/E4AFg8HkLz8L2sxNxTa7Xfs0NRbYZUjaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w438-h640/Herminium%2Bmonorchris%2BMusk%2BOrchid%2BSouth%2Bof%2BCrookhorn%2BWood%2B190616k.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Herminium monorchris</i></p><p>Musk orchid<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK66vonNdQM/X-UKMxWSGkI/AAAAAAAAPvo/pzV_k1RglCURDBZqBPb8Dsx9749OOeOAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Himantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BSandwich%2B270517.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK66vonNdQM/X-UKMxWSGkI/AAAAAAAAPvo/pzV_k1RglCURDBZqBPb8Dsx9749OOeOAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Himantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BSandwich%2B270517.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Himantoglossum hircinum</i></p><p>Lizard orchid</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Liparis loeselii</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Fen orchid<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z57ZtqwSGeo/X-UKjQo3tiI/AAAAAAAAPvw/FKA0AV0PPJkA0xRH6UOVbGpacVm2KOPIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Liparis%2Bloeselii%2BFen%2BOrchid%2BKenfig%2B220616g%2Bsmall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z57ZtqwSGeo/X-UKjQo3tiI/AAAAAAAAPvw/FKA0AV0PPJkA0xRH6UOVbGpacVm2KOPIgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Liparis%2Bloeselii%2BFen%2BOrchid%2BKenfig%2B220616g%2Bsmall.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Neotinea ustulata var aestivalis</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Burnt orchid<br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8yg7_8DJAQ/X-ULtx895WI/AAAAAAAAPwA/y2UxLIqtSVkQCLOk5YG381q9ve08USnSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Neotinia%2Burstulata%2Bvar%2Baestivalis%2BHigh%2Band%2BOver%2B140614f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8yg7_8DJAQ/X-ULtx895WI/AAAAAAAAPwA/y2UxLIqtSVkQCLOk5YG381q9ve08USnSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Neotinia%2Burstulata%2Bvar%2Baestivalis%2BHigh%2Band%2BOver%2B140614f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcCSDv47EY8/X-UMAKKRbXI/AAAAAAAAPwI/WMkx_il9SPEekY1mwLn95Wc3YRsKc8IAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Neottia%2Bnidus-avis%2BWoolage%2B300515d.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcCSDv47EY8/X-UMAKKRbXI/AAAAAAAAPwI/WMkx_il9SPEekY1mwLn95Wc3YRsKc8IAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/Neottia%2Bnidus-avis%2BWoolage%2B300515d.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> <br /></i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i>Neottia nidus-avis</i></p><p>Birds nest orchid</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ophrys - fuciflora, apifera, sphegodes, insectifera</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Late Spider, Bee, Early Spider, Fly orchids</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-83txVlGHU/X-UMNeNFH-I/AAAAAAAAPwM/1ebvcVUASl0KxjuFSlNCWERT8zwBN6U-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2713/Insect%2BMimicking%2BOrchids%2Bstitched.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="2713" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-83txVlGHU/X-UMNeNFH-I/AAAAAAAAPwM/1ebvcVUASl0KxjuFSlNCWERT8zwBN6U-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h274/Insect%2BMimicking%2BOrchids%2Bstitched.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Orchis anthropophora</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Man orchid <br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWeVJ0X4F48/X-UMrAo2imI/AAAAAAAAPwY/UiqKqpBl3X0YctmmAQtNIsNEL7FC66Q9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2865/Orchis%2Banthropophora%2B%2BKent%2BComparisons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="2865" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWeVJ0X4F48/X-UMrAo2imI/AAAAAAAAPwY/UiqKqpBl3X0YctmmAQtNIsNEL7FC66Q9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h246/Orchis%2Banthropophora%2B%2BKent%2BComparisons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwclmPFpo2g/X-UM_7Q6C2I/AAAAAAAAPwg/e88I1yRkjYEPEBh3fyj_pMfobSZpIfeLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Orchis%2Bmascula%2BChurchdown%2BWoods%2B280415e.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1509" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwclmPFpo2g/X-UM_7Q6C2I/AAAAAAAAPwg/e88I1yRkjYEPEBh3fyj_pMfobSZpIfeLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w472-h640/Orchis%2Bmascula%2BChurchdown%2BWoods%2B280415e.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Orchis mascula</i></p><p>Early purple orchid</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhnF7jCuVBk/X-UNRVdkgTI/AAAAAAAAPwo/wCojzKJS98syt8ruwSRhm4lf3ipcW3bUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Orchis%2Bpurpurea%2BLady%2BOrchid%2BOtford%2BHills%2B220516b.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1324" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhnF7jCuVBk/X-UNRVdkgTI/AAAAAAAAPwo/wCojzKJS98syt8ruwSRhm4lf3ipcW3bUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w414-h640/Orchis%2Bpurpurea%2BLady%2BOrchid%2BOtford%2BHills%2B220516b.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Orchis purpurea</i></p><p>Lady orchid</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wT9Spib2hx8/X-UNfPWN71I/AAAAAAAAPws/x4znfDk5hGs4qTdyWcpPfdvSghtWrnCYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Orchis%2Bsimia%2BPark%2BGate%2B100514ff.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wT9Spib2hx8/X-UNfPWN71I/AAAAAAAAPws/x4znfDk5hGs4qTdyWcpPfdvSghtWrnCYQCLcBGAsYHQ/w538-h640/Orchis%2Bsimia%2BPark%2BGate%2B100514ff.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><i>Orchis simia</i></p><p>Monkey orchid</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvl0MXSdVfE/X-UN0bMKLAI/AAAAAAAAPw4/fGblXJhkCnIGcf2asyIoMTtWm1KGOWggQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Platanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520f.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvl0MXSdVfE/X-UN0bMKLAI/AAAAAAAAPw4/fGblXJhkCnIGcf2asyIoMTtWm1KGOWggQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Platanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><i>Platanthera bifolia</i></p><p>Lesser butterfly orchid</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4GI_D91Mdl4/X-UODbhcqiI/AAAAAAAAPw8/7LDmxP4TfSEZGSa8gzmLTMxJV3IsMiTlACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Pseudorchis%2Balbida%2BSmall%2BWhite%2BOrchid%2BVicarage%2BMeadows%2BAbergwesyn%2B210616a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4GI_D91Mdl4/X-UODbhcqiI/AAAAAAAAPw8/7LDmxP4TfSEZGSa8gzmLTMxJV3IsMiTlACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Pseudorchis%2Balbida%2BSmall%2BWhite%2BOrchid%2BVicarage%2BMeadows%2BAbergwesyn%2B210616a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><i>Pseudorchis albida</i></p><p>Small white orchid</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_MvX2gmZzY/X-UOTaTqyJI/AAAAAAAAPxI/EgYLNjr1kp088iuATVSFtPV4cYII5oIYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Spiranthes%2Bspiralis%2BALT%2BBirling%2BGap%2B010918e.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_MvX2gmZzY/X-UOTaTqyJI/AAAAAAAAPxI/EgYLNjr1kp088iuATVSFtPV4cYII5oIYwCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Spiranthes%2Bspiralis%2BALT%2BBirling%2BGap%2B010918e.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Spiranthes spirales</i></p><p>Autumn lady's tresses</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I hope you liked the selection of some of our wild orchids above. There are lots more species in the UK too including a plethora of hybrids, such as this D. x mixtum (Frog x CSO).<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0He7S5p-K_0/X-UO8dGyMPI/AAAAAAAAPxY/GxWBUvdvjCAG2w5FPOVPj5OhEUs2kUFnACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Dactylorhiza%2Bx%2Bmixtum%2BFairmile%2BBottom%2B300615h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1451" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0He7S5p-K_0/X-UO8dGyMPI/AAAAAAAAPxY/GxWBUvdvjCAG2w5FPOVPj5OhEUs2kUFnACLcBGAsYHQ/w454-h640/Dactylorhiza%2Bx%2Bmixtum%2BFairmile%2BBottom%2B300615h.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Happy Christmas</p><p style="text-align: center;">With best wishes from Dave<br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-25348054270471416852020-12-24T19:47:00.000+00:002020-12-24T19:47:05.007+00:00Sandwich Bay, Kent - 18/08/20<p style="text-align: center;"> This venue on the east coast of Kent is at its best in early Summer, with several very rare plant species to be found there, along with the largest Lizard Orchid colony in the UK. However, it was now mid July with Summer well and truly arrived with the earlier species mentioned all now died off, so it would be interesting to see what I might find.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I hoped to find Yellow Bartsia, having failed to find it at several other Kent sites this year. Records showed it present here in the past. </p><p style="text-align: center;">As I set off, I noticed that the Sea Holly was now in flower. It is common here and present all along the shingle where it starts to join with some topsoil.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Eryngium maritimum</i><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki1DXaX8ZuA/X-Tkqk3csYI/AAAAAAAAPoc/VhnCIMWkx8MhGuBB3xuUjdWX4V_zZAtGACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bmaritimum%2BSea%2BHolly%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki1DXaX8ZuA/X-Tkqk3csYI/AAAAAAAAPoc/VhnCIMWkx8MhGuBB3xuUjdWX4V_zZAtGACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bmaritimum%2BSea%2BHolly%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Large stands of the yellow flowered Wild Fennel brightened up the upper beach and road areas. The first photo below shows its fine feathery leaves which seperates it from Wild Parsnip which has very similar (and same coloured) flowers. Of course, in case you forget you can crush a leaf of either plant and it will either smell of Fennel or Parsnip in any case! Identification solved.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58TavSERgOw/X-Tk2hMGg_I/AAAAAAAAPog/BQI0IMJtw2kNmG0ugtVXKZzEGK25QWyZACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BFoeniculum%2Bvulgare%2BWild%2BFennel%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58TavSERgOw/X-Tk2hMGg_I/AAAAAAAAPog/BQI0IMJtw2kNmG0ugtVXKZzEGK25QWyZACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BFoeniculum%2Bvulgare%2BWild%2BFennel%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Foeniculum vulgare</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_qbgwwZK8E/X-Tk2oSVGZI/AAAAAAAAPok/SJ9LDdutNc4YrI4aMevn0gGG2eH0Rjp4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BFoeniculum%2Bvulgare%2BWild%2BFennel%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_qbgwwZK8E/X-Tk2oSVGZI/AAAAAAAAPok/SJ9LDdutNc4YrI4aMevn0gGG2eH0Rjp4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BFoeniculum%2Bvulgare%2BWild%2BFennel%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Most of the clovers had by now been burnt off by the Summer sun, but Haresfoot Clover was still flowering here and there.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPhgvrrrkDs/X-TldsYUvwI/AAAAAAAAPo0/rSfSelw2JUwrcbb2smdP5kvdhso0kXtHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHaresfoot%2BClover%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPhgvrrrkDs/X-TldsYUvwI/AAAAAAAAPo0/rSfSelw2JUwrcbb2smdP5kvdhso0kXtHQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHaresfoot%2BClover%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium arvense</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIfTKWByugc/X-TltPPcEpI/AAAAAAAAPo8/sGZzblvjoKIxm3kc5i4gvozqCi5mNrQIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHaresfoot%2BClover%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIfTKWByugc/X-TltPPcEpI/AAAAAAAAPo8/sGZzblvjoKIxm3kc5i4gvozqCi5mNrQIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHaresfoot%2BClover%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I then came to a fairly recently made large pond which looked natural but satellite images showed it's only been there about 20 years or so. It was all but dried up , but I had a look around hoping for something rare like Lesser Water Plantain.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I didn't find any of that, but its common relative Common Water-Plantain was present in good numbers.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This is usually a tall spindly plant with many small 3 petalled flowers, however the flowers are small, so if I photographed the whole plant, the flowers would be tiny specks. Note the basal leaves when you see it. Large spreading leaves and it will be this plant.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Alisma plantago-aquatica</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk7lYErMMrw/X-TmaEQou1I/AAAAAAAAPpM/XIEFiB2034ccVVnf6qrchkbYyYEqTKq4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAlisma%2Bplantago-aquatica%2BWater-plantain%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="800" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk7lYErMMrw/X-TmaEQou1I/AAAAAAAAPpM/XIEFiB2034ccVVnf6qrchkbYyYEqTKq4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h472/aaa%2BAlisma%2Bplantago-aquatica%2BWater-plantain%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still in the dried up pond, I noticed the following plant along one edge. It was a Water Crowfoot, a very tricky group to identify. In this case, it was impossible as the lack of water meant the plant would behave differently to one with water, thus the usually present surface leaves were absent. It was rather dessicated and only one flower was present, so I wasn't minded to pull it apart to see the shape of the nectaries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ranunculus Section Batrachium</i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnHB6h7iBu0/X-TnksWcx9I/AAAAAAAAPpY/nfSod7THQMQAqbCjvJlUpBi2U3AalWQGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Bsection%2BBatrachium%2Bwater%2BCrowfoot%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnHB6h7iBu0/X-TnksWcx9I/AAAAAAAAPpY/nfSod7THQMQAqbCjvJlUpBi2U3AalWQGwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Bsection%2BBatrachium%2Bwater%2BCrowfoot%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBIm2Sf5h4Y/X-TnkrQ--eI/AAAAAAAAPpU/bry1DSk4u9889hjM4udpPOs0-uxZrHmWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Bsection%2BBatrachium%2Bwater%2BCrowfoot%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="800" height="516" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBIm2Sf5h4Y/X-TnkrQ--eI/AAAAAAAAPpU/bry1DSk4u9889hjM4udpPOs0-uxZrHmWgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h516/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Bsection%2BBatrachium%2Bwater%2BCrowfoot%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZJkNY_i8PU/X-TnkqPmHiI/AAAAAAAAPpc/et4vX04u4godjBsJBzqAbaSTbspKQ5eHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1005/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Bsection%2BBatrachium%2Bwater%2BCrowfoot%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZJkNY_i8PU/X-TnkqPmHiI/AAAAAAAAPpc/et4vX04u4godjBsJBzqAbaSTbspKQ5eHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w510-h640/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Bsection%2BBatrachium%2Bwater%2BCrowfoot%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720c.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">From here I came to some grassland on a public footpath. One couldn't fail to see the brightly coloured orchids flowering there in profusion. First up were the beautifully coloured Southern Marsh Orchids, present in several locations here. They were just past their best but still a delight to see.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qopyZtZtzlo/X-To0Amoe8I/AAAAAAAAPpo/OqeCzTcRf18XfAhbq4aHXv4v-MkWxfe3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bpraetermissa%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qopyZtZtzlo/X-To0Amoe8I/AAAAAAAAPpo/OqeCzTcRf18XfAhbq4aHXv4v-MkWxfe3QCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bpraetermissa%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza praetermissa</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGjW1cL_pWw/X-To1G-57-I/AAAAAAAAPpw/pD33av1Tpng41Lo7RrJ5o16ro4iDhxMpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bpraetermissa%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGjW1cL_pWw/X-To1G-57-I/AAAAAAAAPpw/pD33av1Tpng41Lo7RrJ5o16ro4iDhxMpgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bpraetermissa%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720d.jpg" width="428" /></a></div> <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdV2t7UngAA/X-TpFakB6jI/AAAAAAAAPqA/8-TjGK3sDOskRsEIdxTfb6uJGzPctxAfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bpraetermissa%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR3559%2B180720.jpg" width="640" /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Amongst them were some beautiful Pyramidal Orchids too. White forms are present here, though I didn't spot any on this walk.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Anacamptis pyramidalis </i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIz0Th5RXAs/X-Tp23OYwQI/AAAAAAAAPqM/KYJpwqHcV6Mc7Rf62lvCXyjGg0S_HfVUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR35655923%2B180720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIz0Th5RXAs/X-Tp23OYwQI/AAAAAAAAPqM/KYJpwqHcV6Mc7Rf62lvCXyjGg0S_HfVUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR35655923%2B180720.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Tucked away off the path in a damp dune slack were some Marsh Helleborines. I was pleased to find these as they were in a different area to where normally seen and a few were still in flower.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V50mDjqJZXo/X-TqUPgGovI/AAAAAAAAPqg/IYF5ZNVefUkL2ksJQG5fDNa3QRoOj2XSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BEpipactis%2Bpalustris%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR35655923%2B180720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V50mDjqJZXo/X-TqUPgGovI/AAAAAAAAPqg/IYF5ZNVefUkL2ksJQG5fDNa3QRoOj2XSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BEpipactis%2Bpalustris%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR35655923%2B180720a.jpg" width="428" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Epipactis palustris</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wojcF9UPXoo/X-TqUJsMWsI/AAAAAAAAPqc/D2qomJWgvC4lmhEkaSkK34TQ-PwO_DmLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BEpipactis%2Bpalustris%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR35655923%2B180720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="800" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wojcF9UPXoo/X-TqUJsMWsI/AAAAAAAAPqc/D2qomJWgvC4lmhEkaSkK34TQ-PwO_DmLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h500/aaa%2BEpipactis%2Bpalustris%2BSandwich%2BBay%2BTR35655923%2B180720b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Some very ragged Ragged Robin completed the photos from this area.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Silene flos-cuculi</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5Zwi76DuFg/X-TqsdEJgVI/AAAAAAAAPqw/lSD4586wODEKrvZ2eXmTBAXwFBgjM1Y4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSilene%2Bflos-cuculi%2BRagged%2BRobin%2BSandwich%2BBird%2BObs%2BRinging%2Barea%2BTR3557%2B180720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="800" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5Zwi76DuFg/X-TqsdEJgVI/AAAAAAAAPqw/lSD4586wODEKrvZ2eXmTBAXwFBgjM1Y4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h432/aaa%2BSilene%2Bflos-cuculi%2BRagged%2BRobin%2BSandwich%2BBird%2BObs%2BRinging%2Barea%2BTR3557%2B180720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I walked past this area to where I had seen records of Yellow Bartsia. I was dismayed to find hundreds of Yellow Rattle in flower here. Having the same coloured flowers and being about the same height made it difficult to see my target species. However, I rounded a corner and there they were! I needn't have worried as they were actually much taller than the Rattle plants and the flowers substantially different too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-NtpsB48-Y/X-TriRNCG8I/AAAAAAAAPq4/DBLahCUTvzwfsje4Mstlt2vbqoHqrr8HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BSandwich%2BBird%2BObs%2BRinging%2Barea%2BTR3557%2B180720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-NtpsB48-Y/X-TriRNCG8I/AAAAAAAAPq4/DBLahCUTvzwfsje4Mstlt2vbqoHqrr8HwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BSandwich%2BBird%2BObs%2BRinging%2Barea%2BTR3557%2B180720.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">When I checked the database for this species, it turns out this location was that of the first ever sighting of this plant in the wild in Kent, back in 1960. Finder was the famous botanist, Francis Rose. This plant is still here and doing very well. My suspicion is that they arrived (accidentally or deliberately) with seeds of Yellow Rattle that would have been introduced to assist the orchids compete with grasses. Both Yellow Bartsia and Yellow Rattle are semi parasitic on other plants, usually grasses, thus allowing a greater bio diversity of that site.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsBnqoTeTOM/X-TritkS-jI/AAAAAAAAPrA/5Gf9d9n9A48a0HRRNs-ceIIMp4hJAHU0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BSandwich%2BBird%2BObs%2BRinging%2Barea%2BTR3557%2B180720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsBnqoTeTOM/X-TritkS-jI/AAAAAAAAPrA/5Gf9d9n9A48a0HRRNs-ceIIMp4hJAHU0QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BSandwich%2BBird%2BObs%2BRinging%2Barea%2BTR3557%2B180720b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Parentucellia viscosa</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zwfWOTxI74/X-TriWh_SVI/AAAAAAAAPq8/Am7ygVGmSv0M-9ebAq6pWPo52q1mhRrGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BSandwich%2BBird%2BObs%2BRinging%2Barea%2BTR3557%2B180720e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zwfWOTxI74/X-TriWh_SVI/AAAAAAAAPq8/Am7ygVGmSv0M-9ebAq6pWPo52q1mhRrGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BParentucellia%2Bviscosa%2BYellow%2BBartsia%2BSandwich%2BBird%2BObs%2BRinging%2Barea%2BTR3557%2B180720e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /> So ended an amazing day out botanising at Sandwich, a venue that always has something to offer. It seems so long ago now, but I hope this blog gives you a reminder of long Summer days.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Take care</p><p style="text-align: left;">Dave</p><p style="text-align: left;">@Barbus59<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-60911602695749357222020-12-06T19:57:00.003+00:002020-12-06T19:58:53.109+00:00Eyhorne Green west and Eureka Park, Ashford, Kent - 05/07/20<p> Eyhorne Green west isn't a place as such, but that's the name of TQ8254 on the BSBI database. To me it's the A20 flyover by the M20 Leeds Castle intersection. This intersection has now long been built but I guess it would qualify as a brownfield site comprising of artifical banks made for that road junction. The soil is very sandy and the only reason I went there was to see Orobanche rapum-genistae or Greater Broomrape at its only Kent location. I found plenty of interesting wildflowers but I found no Greater Broomrapes at all. Very disappointing. It was likely that any spikes found would have gone over but there weren't even any of those. Perhaps it was the extended Spring drought we had this year, though why that should affect them I don't know. They attach themselves to Gorse and Broom and steal water and nutrients from them and they were present aplenty and in good health too.</p><p>I hope they come up next year and aren't lost to Kent.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Below are some of the other plants I found here.</p><p style="text-align: center;">A beautiful pink Musk Mallow.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Malva moschata</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXt-Vzr3PlM/X80Z748JFsI/AAAAAAAAPkc/KEYNU8iEd4k5Cpu5CDMgijZMckt2HU-xACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMalva%2Bmoschata%2BMusk%2BMallow%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXt-Vzr3PlM/X80Z748JFsI/AAAAAAAAPkc/KEYNU8iEd4k5Cpu5CDMgijZMckt2HU-xACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BMalva%2Bmoschata%2BMusk%2BMallow%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">More pink flowers, Common Centaury</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Centaurium erythraea</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDfThMMYiUY/X80aE-q7K2I/AAAAAAAAPkg/0BJ05zR7ezow_ejqZQVbUA1WBnDClwFiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCentaurium%2Berythraea%2BCommon%2BCentaury%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDfThMMYiUY/X80aE-q7K2I/AAAAAAAAPkg/0BJ05zR7ezow_ejqZQVbUA1WBnDClwFiQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BCentaurium%2Berythraea%2BCommon%2BCentaury%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The tiny, but strikingly blue flowers of Bugloss</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Anchusa arvensis</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPPFvllmwo8/X80aRXE7qsI/AAAAAAAAPko/75N7clCzKA43-7NezpTmOIZznbaDlrDJACLcBGAsYHQ/s876/aaa%2BAnchusa%2Barvensis%2BBugloss%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPPFvllmwo8/X80aRXE7qsI/AAAAAAAAPko/75N7clCzKA43-7NezpTmOIZznbaDlrDJACLcBGAsYHQ/w584-h640/aaa%2BAnchusa%2Barvensis%2BBugloss%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" width="584" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lords and Ladies in fruit, ripening through orange to red for the Winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Arum maculatum </i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkLulIP9SvI/X80ajAWG82I/AAAAAAAAPk0/stxiDQI9svoxqBmqYtcuOPLSG55BAxhSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BArum%2Bmaculatum%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkLulIP9SvI/X80ajAWG82I/AAAAAAAAPk0/stxiDQI9svoxqBmqYtcuOPLSG55BAxhSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BArum%2Bmaculatum%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I found a shrivelled up plant with these seeds on it. From past experience I knew these were from Houndstongue, a Kent RPR species.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8zzovOZ5wU/X80a06hsQtI/AAAAAAAAPlA/GaBBmwPHaygd0JJCW_bQJihZ6RXiWBzMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCynoglossum%2Bofficinale%2BHoundstongue%2Bseeds%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="800" height="496" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8zzovOZ5wU/X80a06hsQtI/AAAAAAAAPlA/GaBBmwPHaygd0JJCW_bQJihZ6RXiWBzMQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h496/aaa%2BCynoglossum%2Bofficinale%2BHoundstongue%2Bseeds%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I was then fortunate to find a Houndstongue still in flower, with the flowers having an intense burgundy colour.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cynoglossum officinale</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvF7yiWcGAA/X80bPMfQaKI/AAAAAAAAPlM/OslOMYKP3-Ip4xNfJiD6x6RZq9we0r0vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCynoglossum%2Bofficinale%2BHoundstongue%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="800" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvF7yiWcGAA/X80bPMfQaKI/AAAAAAAAPlM/OslOMYKP3-Ip4xNfJiD6x6RZq9we0r0vwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h472/aaa%2BCynoglossum%2Bofficinale%2BHoundstongue%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyE2ifVN_qI/X80bizSBXRI/AAAAAAAAPlU/Nfn3Xi3rWbQnLj1zLcKU0KMK46zU-QYoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BStellaria%2Bgraminea%2BLesser%2BStitchwort%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyE2ifVN_qI/X80bizSBXRI/AAAAAAAAPlU/Nfn3Xi3rWbQnLj1zLcKU0KMK46zU-QYoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa%2BStellaria%2Bgraminea%2BLesser%2BStitchwort%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A not too brilliant photo of Lesser Stitchwort, a small but attractive flower that can carpet some areas at this time of year.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Stellaria graminea</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Of course, thin poor soils always have some sedums and here was the same. This is White Stonecrop.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Sedum album</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yd7KS3mKwaU/X80b2y1rRJI/AAAAAAAAPlc/yVmArXjFWe45-_uTY46s77hWWZfBsORVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSedum%2Balbum%2BWhite%2BStonecrop%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yd7KS3mKwaU/X80b2y1rRJI/AAAAAAAAPlc/yVmArXjFWe45-_uTY46s77hWWZfBsORVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BSedum%2Balbum%2BWhite%2BStonecrop%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODYj2Cixgxc/X80b2yfGLlI/AAAAAAAAPlg/Fl57XBgmjFMaXLZHodRaOsemSJEYQYYwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSedum%2Balbum%2BWhite%2BStonecrop%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODYj2Cixgxc/X80b2yfGLlI/AAAAAAAAPlg/Fl57XBgmjFMaXLZHodRaOsemSJEYQYYwwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BSedum%2Balbum%2BWhite%2BStonecrop%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qszpRHmIw4/X80cTTNsbdI/AAAAAAAAPls/3_YKFeWxwZAv_H99xLksv8hRTvw50FyagCLcBGAsYHQ/s825/aaa%2BMyosotis%2Barvensis%2BField%2BFMN%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qszpRHmIw4/X80cTTNsbdI/AAAAAAAAPls/3_YKFeWxwZAv_H99xLksv8hRTvw50FyagCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa%2BMyosotis%2Barvensis%2BField%2BFMN%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720a.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Some Field forget-me-not . It was a bit breezy so I had to steady the plant to get any sort of photo. These start flowering in the spring and carry on until late Summer, quite a remarkably long flowering period really.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Myosotis arvensis</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I was fortunate to find some Common Cudweed too. This photo shows the fine sandy soil here perfectly. In such soils in Kent it is not uncommon to find this plant. In fact all around this plant were mature Gorse bushes and I had hoped that finding a way through them I might have found a Greater Broomrape, but not this time! The wood at the base of the Cudweed is actually a root of a very old Gorse bush that resembled a small tree complete with trunk.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Filago germanica</i> ( formerly <i>Filago vulgaris</i>) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZLUSAhyVMI/X80c3RWa_yI/AAAAAAAAPl0/yQrEYaobfessJGbdPSwFcgz1x4Lp7qzcACLcBGAsYHQ/s1155/aaa%2BFilgo%2Bvulgaris%2BCommon%2BCudweed%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZLUSAhyVMI/X80c3RWa_yI/AAAAAAAAPl0/yQrEYaobfessJGbdPSwFcgz1x4Lp7qzcACLcBGAsYHQ/w444-h640/aaa%2BFilgo%2Bvulgaris%2BCommon%2BCudweed%2BEyhorne%2BGreen%2Bwest%2BTQ8254%2B050720a.jpg" width="444" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have a thing for <i>Fabaceae</i> and one of the commonest species that I see in Kent is Bush Vetch. It really does brighten up a road verge or brownfield site or any one of a number of places in which it can be found. Often it's a large clump of untidy flowers, some budding, some going over, a bit like this one. As such, they flower well into the Winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Vicia sepium </i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HapaFUXgiI0/X80eMQSU_WI/AAAAAAAAPmE/8GVZrOwJ-qMTeg7pVIsSQDR9sUJNCGk2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVicia%2Bsepium%2BBush%2BVetch%2BKings%2BWood%2BTR0250%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HapaFUXgiI0/X80eMQSU_WI/AAAAAAAAPmE/8GVZrOwJ-qMTeg7pVIsSQDR9sUJNCGk2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/aaa%2BVicia%2Bsepium%2BBush%2BVetch%2BKings%2BWood%2BTR0250%2B050720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">From here I drove down to Ashford, to the Eureka Park Industrial Estate near the M20, another brownfield site. The purpose this time was to see <span class="aCOpRe"><span>Parentucellia viscosa (Yellow Bartsia). This is another plant that has to date eluded me. It's present in large numbers at a site in Kingsnorth, Grain but when I went I was tured away by site security. I found from records that it was present here at several sites on the estate, but try as I might I failed to find this too! I did find it elsewhere eventually but that's for another July blog not yet written!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="aCOpRe"><span>Here's some of the interesting plants I did find here though.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="aCOpRe"><span> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="aCOpRe"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlvJjkaF6qI/X80hZht73_I/AAAAAAAAPmM/96U8YNyccmY9lzXqPWaz6Lzr3hfyRAIdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDaucus%2Bcarota%2BWild%2BCarrot%2Band%2BReseda%2Blureola%2BWeld%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlvJjkaF6qI/X80hZht73_I/AAAAAAAAPmM/96U8YNyccmY9lzXqPWaz6Lzr3hfyRAIdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w268-h400/aaa%2BDaucus%2Bcarota%2BWild%2BCarrot%2Band%2BReseda%2Blureola%2BWeld%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><span class="aCOpRe"><span><br /> </span></span><p></p><p><span class="aCOpRe"><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="aCOpRe"><span>Two in one with Wild Carrot and Weld.</span></span></p><p><span class="aCOpRe"><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="aCOpRe"><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="aCOpRe"><span><i>Daucus carota ssp carota</i> and <i>Reseda luteola</i><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This was again on a sandy soil and I found Small Cudweed here, which had been recorded from this site before. I found a lot of it growing in disturbed areas where the grass had been displaced by rabbits and disturbance from bikers.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fHAP_l4AlU/X80h1FZGkLI/AAAAAAAAPmU/U3Yx5mXNdIk9xJlTtHNaYqXDg89tzEafgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLogfia%2Bminima%2BSmall%2BCudweed%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fHAP_l4AlU/X80h1FZGkLI/AAAAAAAAPmU/U3Yx5mXNdIk9xJlTtHNaYqXDg89tzEafgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BLogfia%2Bminima%2BSmall%2BCudweed%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">These look fairly large , but were in fact 2-3" tall at most.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Logfia minima</i> (formerly <i>Filago minima</i>)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lRjM8yABCIc/X80h1F1VYKI/AAAAAAAAPmY/khtIR1XX2uUwqLh-cpGjffvX4H4L1i0aACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLogfia%2Bminima%2BSmall%2BCudweed%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="800" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lRjM8yABCIc/X80h1F1VYKI/AAAAAAAAPmY/khtIR1XX2uUwqLh-cpGjffvX4H4L1i0aACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h444/aaa%2BLogfia%2Bminima%2BSmall%2BCudweed%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720a.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's cousin, Common Cudweed was present in several patches too. These were mostly short, thick and stumpy in nature, a completely different form to the drought starved specimen photographed above at Eyhorne Green.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Filago germanica </i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXArW91WzeQ/X80i3pnWUmI/AAAAAAAAPmk/29yI-_jSqXc4jsnBRaE9QVhU6W0dlT79gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BFilgo%2Bvulgaris%2BCommon%2BCudweed%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXArW91WzeQ/X80i3pnWUmI/AAAAAAAAPmk/29yI-_jSqXc4jsnBRaE9QVhU6W0dlT79gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BFilgo%2Bvulgaris%2BCommon%2BCudweed%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's a typical habitat photo for the cudweeds and most other plants featured here. You can make out the disturbed areas in the foreground favoured by Small Cudweed in particular. Old OS maps though this area was likely part arablle and part golf course as far back as 1920. It has only recently been part developed, and no doubt in time, all of it will be built on.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy9K7e7C81g/X80jbIfKzBI/AAAAAAAAPms/Dni6woX-c-Yed6DZWGjOvGK2oGY0wVYhACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BLogfia%2Bminima%2BSmall%2BCudweed%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy9K7e7C81g/X80jbIfKzBI/AAAAAAAAPms/Dni6woX-c-Yed6DZWGjOvGK2oGY0wVYhACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BHabitat%2BLogfia%2Bminima%2BSmall%2BCudweed%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Near to the hump in the background of the above photo I found a vigourous White Mellilot bush about 3 feet tall. The white flowers, when fresh, are beautiful. I can't think of other Fabaceae with white flowers as standard in Kent, so I do like finding these. These also can flower well into Winter and have featured on my New Year Plant Hunts on occasions being in flower on the 1st of January!<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Melilotus albus</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3Fb-yjp6QM/X80jyYlTPOI/AAAAAAAAPm0/EWPPNef2VQQa7RrGV0GAkE7LG8lkUKBlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s935/aaa%2BMelilotus%2Balbus%2BWhite%2BMelilot%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3Fb-yjp6QM/X80jyYlTPOI/AAAAAAAAPm0/EWPPNef2VQQa7RrGV0GAkE7LG8lkUKBlQCLcBGAsYHQ/w548-h640/aaa%2BMelilotus%2Balbus%2BWhite%2BMelilot%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720b.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Mid Summer is a good time to find Hoary Ragwort. When mature it is easily told apart from Common and other ragworts by its leaves and how they are arranged. Here's a photo of the whole plant with the leaves shown as typical for this species. The grey undersides are silvery hairy hence the name and they alternate up the stem with little branching. The flowers are mostly quite large too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Senecio erucifolius</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuPn6yKT2Bg/X80ku8C8LpI/AAAAAAAAPm8/7NJHeXHG9DIguXgE7UzoaazqE7FGwaLDACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BSenecio%2Berucifolius%2BHoary%2BRagwort%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuPn6yKT2Bg/X80ku8C8LpI/AAAAAAAAPm8/7NJHeXHG9DIguXgE7UzoaazqE7FGwaLDACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BSenecio%2Berucifolius%2BHoary%2BRagwort%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">This plant was surrounded by another Senecio which on the face of it looked like giant Groundsel plants! However, on a closer look the flowers had tiny ray petals that Groundsel (usually) lacks. The sandy soil also gives a clue that this had to be Heath Groundsel, a plant I don't often see as I live in a chalky alkaline area.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Senecio sylvatica</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRMmwVQZHZ8/X80lgnTFYzI/AAAAAAAAPnE/1L0yUUfBoJMBWICVDOux01GKrEmHKf_SgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1197/aaa%2BSenecio%2Bsylvaticus%2BHeath%2BGroundsel%2B%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRMmwVQZHZ8/X80lgnTFYzI/AAAAAAAAPnE/1L0yUUfBoJMBWICVDOux01GKrEmHKf_SgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BSenecio%2Bsylvaticus%2BHeath%2BGroundsel%2B%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13FrNlSu3so/X80lgvQ9eLI/AAAAAAAAPnI/JkJYzD2p5VEyfmHACbbN8UqzCnET2ZONACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSenecio%2Bsylvaticus%2BHeath%2BGroundsel%2B%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13FrNlSu3so/X80lgvQ9eLI/AAAAAAAAPnI/JkJYzD2p5VEyfmHACbbN8UqzCnET2ZONACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h268/aaa%2BSenecio%2Bsylvaticus%2BHeath%2BGroundsel%2B%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWDhMEO6pBY/X80lg-xzZzI/AAAAAAAAPnM/zH5u3SSu1XUbSL37kYF9YGiBt2cLRLwFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BSenecio%2Bsylvaticus%2BHeath%2BGroundsel%2B%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720d.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWDhMEO6pBY/X80lg-xzZzI/AAAAAAAAPnM/zH5u3SSu1XUbSL37kYF9YGiBt2cLRLwFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BSenecio%2Bsylvaticus%2BHeath%2BGroundsel%2B%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720d.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I then found some lovely looking Hare's-foot Clover that I usually find in Kent coastal areas such as Littlestone or Sandwich. I guess the sandy soil here was to their liking as it was flourishing in some areas.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Trifolium arvense</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glA7SnOwxy0/X80mw1iPzGI/AAAAAAAAPnY/3aL0arNahS0oreVjDn7GLSeYDFmvkcETACLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHares-foot%2BClover%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glA7SnOwxy0/X80mw1iPzGI/AAAAAAAAPnY/3aL0arNahS0oreVjDn7GLSeYDFmvkcETACLcBGAsYHQ/w474-h640/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Barvense%2BHares-foot%2BClover%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720a.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The final plant of interest I found here was a humble Viola. At first glance it looked like a Field Pansy on steroids as the flower was quite a bit bigger than usual. I quickly saw it was the hybrid between Viola tricolor and Viola arvensis. The flower is somewhat three dimensional (V. tricolor is more or less flat), the petals were more or less the same length as the sepals (in V. arvensis the sepals are much longer than petals - in V. tricolor the petals hide all of the sepals being much bigger) and the colour of all of the petals were infused with purple showing a blend of genes. I have the BSBI Viola handbook and always check such anomolous plants, but it's fairly apparent once you get your eye in. I think these are more common than records suggest and are overlooked by some recorders. Some populations have introgressed back with a parent (usually V. arvensis and thus as time goes by the traits of V. tricolor lessen and then disappear again.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Hybrid Pansy<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Viola tricolor x Viola arvensis = V. x contempta </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kw4F7hff6kY/X80oUX74VbI/AAAAAAAAPng/i7-0kHsPmroDbIz3nibRzGOZ9QUcfKcPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BViola%2Btricolor%2Bx%2BViola%2Barvensis%2B%253D%2BV%2Bx%2Bcontempta%2BHybrid%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kw4F7hff6kY/X80oUX74VbI/AAAAAAAAPng/i7-0kHsPmroDbIz3nibRzGOZ9QUcfKcPwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BViola%2Btricolor%2Bx%2BViola%2Barvensis%2B%253D%2BV%2Bx%2Bcontempta%2BHybrid%2BEureka%2BPark%2BAshford%2BTR007450%2B050720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>There were a few Viola arvensis about but as is usually the case in Kent, Viola tricolor was absent.</p><p>And so ended a glorious day botanising in Kent. I failed to find two key species that I went out to look for, but I was rewarded with some other fine plants, so I went home happy regardless.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Take care</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-34282113275080165142020-11-20T15:41:00.001+00:002023-03-29T22:46:49.672+00:00Wrotham Water & Detling Hill, Kent - 28/06/20<p style="text-align: center;"> Wrotham Water is a rural country lane at the feet of the North Downs with virtually no habitation near. I botanically recorded the area in Autumn last year but returned now to see some of the Summer flowers that I missed on my last visit. Here's some of what I found.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Nettle leaved Bellflowers are found all along the scarp slope of the North Downs and here was no exception. The flowers resemble Harebells but are much larger and the leaves are like nettles.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Campanula trachelium</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPgGV8EcjWw/X6RFInXUtmI/AAAAAAAAPeA/uUvx315GNQgnMJBiO7KzBQ4jm5iOYieCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCampanula%2Btrachelium%2BNettle%2Blvd%2BBellflower%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="800" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPgGV8EcjWw/X6RFInXUtmI/AAAAAAAAPeA/uUvx315GNQgnMJBiO7KzBQ4jm5iOYieCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h456/aaa%2BCampanula%2Btrachelium%2BNettle%2Blvd%2BBellflower%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Common Centaury is usually less than two feet tall with multiple flowers. however if you find a tiny one, look for a basal rosette. If present it's this plant, if not it's a relative! There is a BSBI field guide to tell them all apart which is worth getting.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Centaurium erythraea</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9L5BZ2qBGk/X6RFjiOSe9I/AAAAAAAAPeI/FUgUEnzAr_E3328LTtc2SNQwvJVXqXSpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCentaurium%2Berythraea%2BCommon%2BCentaury%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="800" height="584" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9L5BZ2qBGk/X6RFjiOSe9I/AAAAAAAAPeI/FUgUEnzAr_E3328LTtc2SNQwvJVXqXSpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h584/aaa%2BCentaurium%2Berythraea%2BCommon%2BCentaury%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620a.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below is Long stalked Cranesbill which is one of the less common of these small wild Geraniums. It's the only small Cranesbill with a long stalk so is easy to identify when in flower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Geranium columbinum </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyfoVwKoMIg/X6RGMKDQTOI/AAAAAAAAPeQ/qVuxsdEv6MAZwuRwwRYryYBqKU-PQRTmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BGeranium%2Bcolumbinum%2BLong%2Bst%2BCranesbill%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="800" height="442" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyfoVwKoMIg/X6RGMKDQTOI/AAAAAAAAPeQ/qVuxsdEv6MAZwuRwwRYryYBqKU-PQRTmQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h442/aaa%2BGeranium%2Bcolumbinum%2BLong%2Bst%2BCranesbill%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620a.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An odd find here was a Snapdragon, given that there were no gardens or habitation near.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Antirrhinum majus </i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gia8nKauF-M/X6RGr-fsLEI/AAAAAAAAPeY/Ujy5Jqtl4aMKGl1g7wHmCpRo8q7GisCnQCLcBGAsYHQ/w604-h640/aaa%2BAntirrhinum%2Bmajus%2BSnapdragon%2BWrotham%2BWater%2BTQ6359%2B280620a.jpg" width="604" /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Narrow-leaved Birdsfoot Trefoil is relatively common in North Kent though it seems to be absent from large areas of the UK. this photo shows the leaves being as least 4 x longer than wide, topped by a pair of pale yellow flowers. It also tends to be upright to a height of around 10" tall.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lotus tenuis</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QecZL4pSJx4/X6RHQgs7ouI/AAAAAAAAPeg/GmR503RAoYkwTIo-XTPUowNUJ0sA1KzTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BLotus%2Btenuis%2BNarrow%2BLvd%2BBF%2BTrefoil%2BWrotham%2BWater%2BTQ6359%2B280620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QecZL4pSJx4/X6RHQgs7ouI/AAAAAAAAPeg/GmR503RAoYkwTIo-XTPUowNUJ0sA1KzTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BLotus%2Btenuis%2BNarrow%2BLvd%2BBF%2BTrefoil%2BWrotham%2BWater%2BTQ6359%2B280620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Of course, orchids were present being so near to the chalk. Here's a close up of a Chalk Fragrant Orchid trying to imitate the densely packed flowers of Marsh Fragrant Orchid.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Gymnadenia conopsea </i><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JygORp7oHug/X6RH3qVOpbI/AAAAAAAAPeo/_07SOis3_w0Q5TdO4tByqU6XaE6kziZPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620a2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="800" height="558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JygORp7oHug/X6RH3qVOpbI/AAAAAAAAPeo/_07SOis3_w0Q5TdO4tByqU6XaE6kziZPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h558/aaa%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620a2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dense mats of Wild Thyme covered some areas of chalk turf.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Thymus drucei</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqOdzSwopIg/X6RIf2_6uBI/AAAAAAAAPew/G25WhMa46OUFzzoObotgDvSJH7YDL5LYwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BThymus%2Bdrucei%2BWild%2BThyme%2BDetling%2Bwest%2BLarches%2BTQ7858%2B280620.jpg" width="640" /></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">A sign of high Summer coming was Broad-leaved Helleborines starting to put up flower spikes, though none will open for a while yet.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Epipactis helleborine</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpciFBkWyQQ/X6RJB7Nm4II/AAAAAAAAPe4/S9yL-ofODrcDj5qH5fduez5esxPnViFqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BEpipactis%2Bhelleborine%2BDetling%2Bwest%2BLarches%2BTQ7858%2B280620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpciFBkWyQQ/X6RJB7Nm4II/AAAAAAAAPe4/S9yL-ofODrcDj5qH5fduez5esxPnViFqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BEpipactis%2Bhelleborine%2BDetling%2Bwest%2BLarches%2BTQ7858%2B280620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Tutsan is an impressive bush from the St John's wort family and it's native!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Hypericum androsaemum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FNq0oxTJ-0/X6RJcI0vqwI/AAAAAAAAPfA/pEoHugRJxy4XpHhqbqXT6aPLnG2n4XjpACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHypericum%2Bandrosaemum%2BTutsan%2BDetling%2Bwest%2BLarches%2BTQ7858%2B280620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FNq0oxTJ-0/X6RJcI0vqwI/AAAAAAAAPfA/pEoHugRJxy4XpHhqbqXT6aPLnG2n4XjpACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BHypericum%2Bandrosaemum%2BTutsan%2BDetling%2Bwest%2BLarches%2BTQ7858%2B280620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Musk Mallow </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Malva moschata</i></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSLBSPOF1zc/X6RJ5Vov5zI/AAAAAAAAPfI/frVSTnVYDfUSZ6gZp9N4lSPNhhDtyjuqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMalva%2Bmoschata%2BMusk%2BMallow%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSLBSPOF1zc/X6RJ5Vov5zI/AAAAAAAAPfI/frVSTnVYDfUSZ6gZp9N4lSPNhhDtyjuqQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BMalva%2Bmoschata%2BMusk%2BMallow%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stinking Iris, a beautiful native Iris. For some time I thought it was the flower that was supposed to be foetid, and I could never understand it as the flower didn't seem to smell of anything. However, I later learnt that if you bruise a leaf it smells of rotting meat! Got it, done it, smelt it - I don't recommend it....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Iris foetidissima</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3twm6LPbhg/X6RKpX1zn2I/AAAAAAAAPfU/GMtAT5N8yFY5OtUR1d9wdChIL1r5W5X5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BIris%2Bfoetidissima%2BStinking%2BIris%2BDetling%2Bwest%2BLarches%2BTQ7858%2B280620c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="800" height="506" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3twm6LPbhg/X6RKpX1zn2I/AAAAAAAAPfU/GMtAT5N8yFY5OtUR1d9wdChIL1r5W5X5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h506/aaa%2BIris%2Bfoetidissima%2BStinking%2BIris%2BDetling%2Bwest%2BLarches%2BTQ7858%2B280620c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rogfeuFoTcY/X6RLAfDqLtI/AAAAAAAAPfc/IOrS3UbDnjMXOqJDDH-3kN_w-em3dmSxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rogfeuFoTcY/X6RLAfDqLtI/AAAAAAAAPfc/IOrS3UbDnjMXOqJDDH-3kN_w-em3dmSxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h268/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>A few Common Spotted Orchids were found with yet more amazing designs on their petals.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Great Mullein is called this for a reason. It can grow to 8 feet high! Here's a flower on some I found, however, these only reached around 4-5 feet in height, still quite impressive though.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2J6J95cMsE/X6RLgY9oedI/AAAAAAAAPfk/r1mL6Duku40MDDR3uO-vvfwqsMiPoK_UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bthapsus%2BGreat%2BMullein%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="800" height="608" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2J6J95cMsE/X6RLgY9oedI/AAAAAAAAPfk/r1mL6Duku40MDDR3uO-vvfwqsMiPoK_UgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h608/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bthapsus%2BGreat%2BMullein%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Verbascum thapsus</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_ZHXRnsV2s/X6RLgqi3KwI/AAAAAAAAPfo/f2S2DTeUhSY5IYLm9hY8jn0OxN0HtH-_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bthapsus%2BGreat%2BMullein%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_ZHXRnsV2s/X6RLgqi3KwI/AAAAAAAAPfo/f2S2DTeUhSY5IYLm9hY8jn0OxN0HtH-_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bthapsus%2BGreat%2BMullein%2BTrottiscliffe%2Bwest%2BTQ6360%2B280620b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">From here, I drove a few miles to Detling Hill as I wanted to find a very rare plant that I'd never seen and only recently heard about. It's called Cut-leaved Selfheal. Of course the usual form of Selfheal appears all over Kent in their thousands and is very common. The only place I know of to find the Cut-leaved Selfheal seems to be on Detling Hill, so I parked in the layby up the hill and walked down to the map co-ordinates I had for previous finds.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">On arrival I found this! The verges had not only been cut, but the findings had been left in situ (not supposed to happen here as it's managed by KWT as a RNR). I was supposed to look through all this to find some 2-3" tall plants mixed in with the usual selfheal, a hard task indeed.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYH14OH7e_0/X6RMvQElsjI/AAAAAAAAPf0/c2GF7XQMU74gN-CZi3duYpvtPjYj84vIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BPrunella%2Blaciniata%2BCut%2Bleaved%2BSelfheal%2BDetling%2BTQ79505845%2B280620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYH14OH7e_0/X6RMvQElsjI/AAAAAAAAPf0/c2GF7XQMU74gN-CZi3duYpvtPjYj84vIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BHabitat%2BPrunella%2Blaciniata%2BCut%2Bleaved%2BSelfheal%2BDetling%2BTQ79505845%2B280620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Without accurate map references I would not have found anything. I would have given up and gone home, but once I knew I was where I should be, I covered every inch until I found this amongst all the normal Selfheal plants also present. This is the hybrid between Selfheal and Cut-leaved Selfheal</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Prunella laciniata x vulgaris = P x intermedia <br /></i></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqnxasSf-NI/X6RNdACUEMI/AAAAAAAAPf8/ZyVNMLpSURABF0awRQsxkgUuBm7jvb3SQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BPrunella%2Blaciniata%2Bx%2Bvulgaris%2B%253D%2BP%2Bx%2Bintermedia%2BHybrid%2BSelfheal%2BTQ7950958455%2B280620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqnxasSf-NI/X6RNdACUEMI/AAAAAAAAPf8/ZyVNMLpSURABF0awRQsxkgUuBm7jvb3SQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BPrunella%2Blaciniata%2Bx%2Bvulgaris%2B%253D%2BP%2Bx%2Bintermedia%2BHybrid%2BSelfheal%2BTQ7950958455%2B280620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Note that the leaves are intermediate between cut and entire having basal lobes too. The big leaf at the bottom belongs to a young Ox-eye Daisy. At the top, the leaves are from Ivy.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPgfGEpFnO8/X6RNdYLDYEI/AAAAAAAAPgA/fZn7M5ARxzASiLcDGYJsEsw9JbO8JKKpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BPrunella%2Blaciniata%2Bx%2Bvulgaris%2B%253D%2BP%2Bx%2Bintermedia%2BHybrid%2BSelfheal%2BTQ7950958455%2B280620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="800" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPgfGEpFnO8/X6RNdYLDYEI/AAAAAAAAPgA/fZn7M5ARxzASiLcDGYJsEsw9JbO8JKKpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h328/aaa%2BPrunella%2Blaciniata%2Bx%2Bvulgaris%2B%253D%2BP%2Bx%2Bintermedia%2BHybrid%2BSelfheal%2BTQ7950958455%2B280620a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">At least I had found the hybrid which I had known to be present too from previous records. I glanced around the area for the final time and then realised why I had missed the original plant. I was looking for purple flowers and these were white.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">I found just the one plant, perhaps a rather precarious position for this rare plant to survive. However, there had been a drought, non flowering plants would have been nigh on impossible to spot on such a steep slope and some may have been covered by the recent cut. I've no doubt there must have been more there.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Prunella laciniata</i> - Cut leaved Selfheal</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcvNOVCcZUI/X6ROzuaYXvI/AAAAAAAAPgU/OfRVQCvKAIIFgbS3yapiLuTShGiFtZ-vACLcBGAsYHQ/s1092/aaa%2BPrunella%2Blaciniata%2BCut%2Bleaved%2BSelfheal%2BTQ79505845%2BDetling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcvNOVCcZUI/X6ROzuaYXvI/AAAAAAAAPgU/OfRVQCvKAIIFgbS3yapiLuTShGiFtZ-vACLcBGAsYHQ/w468-h640/aaa%2BPrunella%2Blaciniata%2BCut%2Bleaved%2BSelfheal%2BTQ79505845%2BDetling.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">So in this case, perseverance paid off. This lone plant was around 8 feet up from the path on a 45 degree slope and I had to take this photo with one hand whilst the other gripped a clump of dogwood to hold onto to stop me sliding down the slope again. My days of doing this sort of physical acrobatics are almost over, so I'm glad at least one photo came out ok. The County Recorder has confirmed both records, of the Cut leaved Selfheal and the hybrid.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">So ended another great Summer's day out.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Take care</p><p style="text-align: left;">Dave</p><p style="text-align: left;">@Barbus59<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-43017441929198618742020-11-18T18:01:00.000+00:002020-11-18T18:01:46.110+00:00KWT Lydden Roadside Nature Reserve, Kent - 21/06/20<p style="text-align: center;"> From Covert Wood (see last blog), I drove a few miles east towards Dover to visit this RNR managed by Kent Wildlife Trust. It was one I had never visited so I wanted to have a look around. Here are some of the plants I found there.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">There were many pink Pyramidal Orchids on this RNR which is a steep hillside by the Lydden Rd off the A2. Amongst them was this white variant which occurs approximately just once in a thousand plants. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Anacamptis pyramidalis var. alba</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BCQ8qEJRA8/X6Q51QzWceI/AAAAAAAAPcE/5qdgR5U7rVw7sU2NWuRNSLBzwLn1EsgkACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BCQ8qEJRA8/X6Q51QzWceI/AAAAAAAAPcE/5qdgR5U7rVw7sU2NWuRNSLBzwLn1EsgkACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I found several over the area, quite unusual. There were of course, hundreds of pink ones too. The yellow flower in the foreground is Kidney Vetch (<i>Anthyllis vulneraria) </i>a food plant for the Small Blue butterfly.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPrdnJalESc/X6Q6WDS2SZI/AAAAAAAAPcM/4ZYjZLkemLUrBHDiAagnSxNGFztQk4dTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPrdnJalESc/X6Q6WDS2SZI/AAAAAAAAPcM/4ZYjZLkemLUrBHDiAagnSxNGFztQk4dTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">There were over a thousand Common Spotted Orchids too, a delight to see and this verge reminded me a bit of the A229 verge near Maidstone before it was "accidentally damaged".</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph1WQ_Eaf4c/X6Q6nIeM-tI/AAAAAAAAPcY/CX7sziVQvSwlMxRNP1ySzi6sMEhuUDzaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph1WQ_Eaf4c/X6Q6nIeM-tI/AAAAAAAAPcY/CX7sziVQvSwlMxRNP1ySzi6sMEhuUDzaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaM65U4iRVk/X6Q6nCDKIjI/AAAAAAAAPcU/LPKe-cnIfjYwFjuUJUK5JjZ_inA9P1NMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaM65U4iRVk/X6Q6nCDKIjI/AAAAAAAAPcU/LPKe-cnIfjYwFjuUJUK5JjZ_inA9P1NMgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I even managed to find an all white variant too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii var albiflora </i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8aIepvVRJTI/X6Q__pZqSrI/AAAAAAAAPd4/eLUbB28cjj4V045TdZXRkTQwY2gTTHL0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8aIepvVRJTI/X6Q__pZqSrI/AAAAAAAAPd4/eLUbB28cjj4V045TdZXRkTQwY2gTTHL0wCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bvar%2Balbiflora%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">In amongst all of these wondrous orchids were plenty of Chalk Fragrant Orchids too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Gymnadenia conopsea</i></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Oo52mSV_JQ/X6Q7LyBQmxI/AAAAAAAAPco/2Z4TuFknj2Qf_nH9LfkKPIsfOFtmuNgKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Oo52mSV_JQ/X6Q7LyBQmxI/AAAAAAAAPco/2Z4TuFknj2Qf_nH9LfkKPIsfOFtmuNgKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620c.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yN90Jt1pFgU/X6Q7aH6qRzI/AAAAAAAAPcs/q4TFYchEIOwXpzho18_uSGngR_O9W1EbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yN90Jt1pFgU/X6Q7aH6qRzI/AAAAAAAAPcs/q4TFYchEIOwXpzho18_uSGngR_O9W1EbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Of course, wherever these two are found close together, you are likely to find the hybrid. I've featured this hybrid in a recent blog found at Folkestone, but each one is different, so here's some more! This one below showed typical hybrid vigour, missing from the Folkestone plants due to drought.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z62nY7QWe4A/X6Q7uyvjjnI/AAAAAAAAPdA/WBD2TO8oIlk4Wp7-d6FX20sARMgZWZWQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z62nY7QWe4A/X6Q7uyvjjnI/AAAAAAAAPdA/WBD2TO8oIlk4Wp7-d6FX20sARMgZWZWQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Aren't these delightful? Completely different forms to the Folkestone plants too. I found a similar looking hybrid at Magpie Bottom a few years ago.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii x Gymnadenia conopsea ss = X. Dactylodenia heinzeliana</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y66gBC1BQQ/X6Q7u1jBYRI/AAAAAAAAPc8/e3ChNLG6F0kYQE3JXIjv-yxi8hKyF6u6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1228/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y66gBC1BQQ/X6Q7u1jBYRI/AAAAAAAAPc8/e3ChNLG6F0kYQE3JXIjv-yxi8hKyF6u6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w416-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BDown%2BRNR%2B210620a.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The lovely named Squinancywort was the last plant I photographed here. It's a small flowered plant with unequal length leaves which seperates it from bedstraws. It's usually white but like here can sometimes be flushed pink.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Asperula cynanchica</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7-tNVjr6jQ/X6Q8747lhWI/AAAAAAAAPdM/6aCDi-68iOId80nWSL40wuAFXZHWIzCUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAsperula%2Bcynanchica%2BSquinancywort%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BHill%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7-tNVjr6jQ/X6Q8747lhWI/AAAAAAAAPdM/6aCDi-68iOId80nWSL40wuAFXZHWIzCUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BAsperula%2Bcynanchica%2BSquinancywort%2BTR2545%2BLydden%2BHill%2BRNR%2B210620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I also visited Jumping Down, a chalk turf hillside near to Covert Wood. It was a long climb up from the road below but the view was nice, even though it was still drizzling a bit.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cdB7t4ycPr0/X6Q-PQeH9uI/AAAAAAAAPdU/UCnICaNyx90UF7kw7pwvkStQjF_8bpuIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BBarham%2BSW%2BTR1948%2BJumping%2BDown%2B210620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cdB7t4ycPr0/X6Q-PQeH9uI/AAAAAAAAPdU/UCnICaNyx90UF7kw7pwvkStQjF_8bpuIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BBarham%2BSW%2BTR1948%2BJumping%2BDown%2B210620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dotted about the hillside were bright blotches of pink that demanded investigation. They turned out to be the amazing Musk Thistle, a not so common thistle in Kent.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Carduus nutans</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28tn1DcyiuQ/X6Q-qBDFLrI/AAAAAAAAPdc/9pbnaAjt0AMdXB_oDiOxVegd0v2gxv86QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bnutans%2BMusk%2BThistle%2BBarham%2BSW%2BJumping%2BDown%2B210620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="800" height="578" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28tn1DcyiuQ/X6Q-qBDFLrI/AAAAAAAAPdc/9pbnaAjt0AMdXB_oDiOxVegd0v2gxv86QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h578/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bnutans%2BMusk%2BThistle%2BBarham%2BSW%2BJumping%2BDown%2B210620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The flowers are large and fall over to one side. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fzYMSPSv9KY/X6Q-qCDlEtI/AAAAAAAAPdg/SOeDw0u_158KBjqYpNYv4AEHhYeeHkfGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bnutans%2BMusk%2BThistle%2BBarham%2BSW%2BJumping%2BDown%2B210620d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fzYMSPSv9KY/X6Q-qCDlEtI/AAAAAAAAPdg/SOeDw0u_158KBjqYpNYv4AEHhYeeHkfGACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bnutans%2BMusk%2BThistle%2BBarham%2BSW%2BJumping%2BDown%2B210620d.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Here is the whole plant. Most were 2-3 feet tall, but they do make 4 feet in some areas.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68L4QULf214/X6Q-qGEKpmI/AAAAAAAAPdk/FERyeY3i2VcOoOZ2mrmECWzBIdD7YKlSACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bnutans%2BMusk%2BThistle%2BBarham%2BSW%2BJumping%2BDown%2B210620g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68L4QULf214/X6Q-qGEKpmI/AAAAAAAAPdk/FERyeY3i2VcOoOZ2mrmECWzBIdD7YKlSACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bnutans%2BMusk%2BThistle%2BBarham%2BSW%2BJumping%2BDown%2B210620g.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">An amazing clump of Common Spotted Orchids</p><p style="text-align: center;">Dactylorhiza fuchsii<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8wBYTvoOWc/X6Q_RjBPxzI/AAAAAAAAPdw/To7dBpT1qIgqV7SWUBsy2W2Cwo_006omgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2048%2BWalderchain%2BWood%2Bwest%2B210620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8wBYTvoOWc/X6Q_RjBPxzI/AAAAAAAAPdw/To7dBpT1qIgqV7SWUBsy2W2Cwo_006omgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2048%2BWalderchain%2BWood%2Bwest%2B210620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">And so ended a wonderful day out seeing the amazing wildflowers of Kent.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Take care</p><p style="text-align: left;">Dave</p><p style="text-align: left;">@Barbus59<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-12343129633255814012020-11-15T13:17:00.001+00:002023-03-29T22:52:17.268+00:00Covert Wood, Kent - 21/06/20<p style="text-align: center;"> This day was all about going to find some Wood Vetch for the first time, a rare plant in Kent and one I'd never seen before. I did plenty of research and headed out in the morning to Covert Wood in east Kent.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It didn't take long to find as it was close to where I had parked the car, but I literally had but one minute before the heavens opened and it poured with rain for a few hours. Given the Spring drought, I was pleased it was raining, it just made photography difficult as the camera is not waterproof.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P2B4rkYrVs/X6QyKPS7DsI/AAAAAAAAPZw/M6w4hnjnMcs7vs7kOYHqVUwGrGgM1_btQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P2B4rkYrVs/X6QyKPS7DsI/AAAAAAAAPZw/M6w4hnjnMcs7vs7kOYHqVUwGrGgM1_btQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">It was rather like Goat's rue with which I am very familiar, but the flowers were far more attractive being all white with deep purple stripes up the standard petals. The leaves were unlike Goat's rue though and entwined vegetation to climb up to the light. Goat's rue has no tendrils.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXsAN-pRCGU/X6QyoKhtzaI/AAAAAAAAPaQ/_WHONuula70Hc0BHwNTPrD1Wq3df3UACACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2Bleaves%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXsAN-pRCGU/X6QyoKhtzaI/AAAAAAAAPaQ/_WHONuula70Hc0BHwNTPrD1Wq3df3UACACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2Bleaves%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's a photo of the whole plant with it scrambling up other plants to reach the light on a wide woodland path.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtZU5xxS9iU/X6QymlBnSRI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/BtgbTyDb7pEJGbDG0fLfkeOI-R_O5lwuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtZU5xxS9iU/X6QymlBnSRI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/BtgbTyDb7pEJGbDG0fLfkeOI-R_O5lwuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ervilla sylvatica</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've included lots of photos as it is such a rare plant and one I may not see again.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UrxfMYID0uY/X6QymjmActI/AAAAAAAAPaA/aDK_jUgYAZcMC3mAm-Kcde-U5QCO92UDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UrxfMYID0uY/X6QymjmActI/AAAAAAAAPaA/aDK_jUgYAZcMC3mAm-Kcde-U5QCO92UDQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620g.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRnT4HCIc70/X6QynbUGaiI/AAAAAAAAPaE/oC6Vvw5NF6IWY3pOy16CODu_Ty9BlmtfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1161/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620h.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRnT4HCIc70/X6QynbUGaiI/AAAAAAAAPaE/oC6Vvw5NF6IWY3pOy16CODu_Ty9BlmtfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w440-h640/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620h.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ4l_iSTiY4/X6Qyn6VOsTI/AAAAAAAAPaI/94Vcf4apKCYRydtnRSzjibVnEezBZEa5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ4l_iSTiY4/X6Qyn6VOsTI/AAAAAAAAPaI/94Vcf4apKCYRydtnRSzjibVnEezBZEa5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620p.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7e7JFFIRAk8/X6QyoGnAbaI/AAAAAAAAPaM/hdoyXa-s4TkXfQuRs2v6Q-R4YOrjIXzzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> As you can see from the last couple of photos, the rain had now started!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> I walked on to see what I could find. It was interesting to see this Bugle plant in flower. They flower en masse in Spring and are long gone in most places by June. I have seen them before flowering in early Summer, but they are very rare.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ajuga reptans</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o76OBBBaJic/X6QzhkPhGWI/AAAAAAAAPao/JOcVoTZ2o8kX63n73ySgcnltHjuxiS6zQCLcBGAsYHQ/s869/aaa%2BAjuga%2Breptans%2BBugle%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o76OBBBaJic/X6QzhkPhGWI/AAAAAAAAPao/JOcVoTZ2o8kX63n73ySgcnltHjuxiS6zQCLcBGAsYHQ/w590-h640/aaa%2BAjuga%2Breptans%2BBugle%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" width="590" /></a></div><br />One of the public footpaths through Covert Wood. No worries about social distancing here! <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMIBY9sU1WQ/X6Q0FhHZBbI/AAAAAAAAPaw/7DgCvXwE7vk-tOeLVF3vCvo_J2E6VyHjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMIBY9sU1WQ/X6Q0FhHZBbI/AAAAAAAAPaw/7DgCvXwE7vk-tOeLVF3vCvo_J2E6VyHjgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Slender St John's wort looks good in the dry, but add in rain and it is a spectacularly beautiful flower. The subtle pink and yellow pastel colours softly diffused by the raindrops give it a surreal effect.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Hypericum pulchrum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yY4ekl9kdI8/X6Q0YRJAkYI/AAAAAAAAPa4/k-5hn5oJUKIhw-iaIijrTwvBCvFHSK6DgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BHypericum%2Bpulchrum%2BSlender%2BSt%2BJohns%2Bwort%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yY4ekl9kdI8/X6Q0YRJAkYI/AAAAAAAAPa4/k-5hn5oJUKIhw-iaIijrTwvBCvFHSK6DgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BHypericum%2Bpulchrum%2BSlender%2BSt%2BJohns%2Bwort%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Common in damp mildly acidic woodlands is Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil and usually in such places, Common Birdsfoot Trefoil is also notably absent. Being a hairy plant too, the raindrops stuck to them like on a spider's web.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lotus pedunculatus</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej0ANrhwTHQ/X6Q1cN2IGLI/AAAAAAAAPbQ/6tMEB7VoHbcbn27QAUDgaaAdH4uhSSv5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1145/aaa%2BLotus%2Bpedunculatus%2BGreater%2BBirdsfoot%2BTrefoil%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej0ANrhwTHQ/X6Q1cN2IGLI/AAAAAAAAPbQ/6tMEB7VoHbcbn27QAUDgaaAdH4uhSSv5QCLcBGAsYHQ/w448-h640/aaa%2BLotus%2Bpedunculatus%2BGreater%2BBirdsfoot%2BTrefoil%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620b.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The third yellow flowered plant in a row was the Yellow Pimpernel, common in Kent woodlands.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lysimachia nemorum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnrKQiEcnqc/X6Q1qhuPiUI/AAAAAAAAPbU/S7hNkfXdkmor5M3XerJfbXo2CPb9PCadQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Bmenorum%2BYellow%2BPimpernel%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnrKQiEcnqc/X6Q1qhuPiUI/AAAAAAAAPbU/S7hNkfXdkmor5M3XerJfbXo2CPb9PCadQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Bmenorum%2BYellow%2BPimpernel%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here and there I found patches of Common Spotted Orchids, always a pleasure to see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii </i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHQLcbJYfrk/X6Q5IrSzFUI/AAAAAAAAPb8/JQvnDi5lQxQwub0J0XlQFl2VbPpB4HapgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHQLcbJYfrk/X6Q5IrSzFUI/AAAAAAAAPb8/JQvnDi5lQxQwub0J0XlQFl2VbPpB4HapgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620c.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Three Speedwells finished off the photos from this wood. A bedraggled Brooklime to start off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Veronica beccabunga</i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWyAN5Rgs6c/X6Q2AsZRbiI/AAAAAAAAPbg/ygM1JfWRO7QQcnHh5jaEii7RsIxVnjcuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bbeccabunga%2BBrooklime%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWyAN5Rgs6c/X6Q2AsZRbiI/AAAAAAAAPbg/ygM1JfWRO7QQcnHh5jaEii7RsIxVnjcuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bbeccabunga%2BBrooklime%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Wood Speedwell with its hairy all round stems.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Veronica montana</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbEW5miFaJc/X6Q2AvrTA_I/AAAAAAAAPbk/6TQU--l0S88uca4D411yHAv6jSMKtuMXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bmontana%2BWood%2BSpeedwell%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="800" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbEW5miFaJc/X6Q2AvrTA_I/AAAAAAAAPbk/6TQU--l0S88uca4D411yHAv6jSMKtuMXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h284/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bmontana%2BWood%2BSpeedwell%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Finally, Heath Speedwell, <i>Veronica officinalis</i> with its jagged toothed leaves.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PA8paX96yp4/X6Q2AQy4dxI/AAAAAAAAPbc/AvUksr-fu9IG6_ETi-ZrHPBsKh4WpSI6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PA8paX96yp4/X6Q2AQy4dxI/AAAAAAAAPbc/AvUksr-fu9IG6_ETi-ZrHPBsKh4WpSI6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Back to the car and the rain stopped! Typical. From here I drove to Lydden Down to have a brief walk along the roadside nature reserve to see what I might find. See the next blog.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9n_JbPUOQ-s/X6Q27ILZgyI/AAAAAAAAPb0/6WAZjXOXJMcW8EbGcs-6lipLuNz7hGsRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHabitat%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9n_JbPUOQ-s/X6Q27ILZgyI/AAAAAAAAPb0/6WAZjXOXJMcW8EbGcs-6lipLuNz7hGsRwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BHabitat%2BErvilla%2Bsylvatica%2BWood%2BVetch%2BTR1848%2BCovert%2BWood%2B210620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Take Care</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-83149445752286402582020-11-08T17:05:00.001+00:002023-03-29T22:55:11.294+00:00Rye and Pett Level Areas of East Sussex - 20/06/20<p style="text-align: center;"> On arrival at the car park at Rye Harbour, we were astonished at the huge amount of people thronging the path to the coast. We have never seen it this busy with people shoulder to shoulder packing out the path. Given the supposed 2m social distancing rules, this was not for us, so we walked away from the beach and along by Castle Water which was virtually empty of people. Here are some of the plants I photographed here.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Viper's Bugloss is an attactive plant on its own, but here was a shingle bank covered in it. It was quite a spectacle and the plants were full of bumblebees. My attempt at a backlit sunlit photo didn't really work! If you are thinking of planting a wildflower garden, especially in poor soils, consider planting these, they are fantastic.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Echium vulgare</i></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAE9CmWFTYo/X6QoGtgaNTI/AAAAAAAAPXQ/Gdt6qUa-H005iA9Yj3v_mFGb9UHAv5BGACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BEchium%2Bvulgare%2BVipers%2BBugloss%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAE9CmWFTYo/X6QoGtgaNTI/AAAAAAAAPXQ/Gdt6qUa-H005iA9Yj3v_mFGb9UHAv5BGACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BEchium%2Bvulgare%2BVipers%2BBugloss%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Behind Rye Harbour church was a damp area full of Field Horsetail interspersed with Common Spotted Orchids, a combination I'd not come across before.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pnQMJ1zSMOQ/X6QodCmambI/AAAAAAAAPXY/AsJlHzP8Iywq1vKODXExKEMSpveI_2JHACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pnQMJ1zSMOQ/X6QodCmambI/AAAAAAAAPXY/AsJlHzP8Iywq1vKODXExKEMSpveI_2JHACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jbosA36Id0/X6Qo8hZYwTI/AAAAAAAAPXo/DV6XGBlaZwcbDr-Qv18p1CA6yMOuiddJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s874/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jbosA36Id0/X6Qo8hZYwTI/AAAAAAAAPXo/DV6XGBlaZwcbDr-Qv18p1CA6yMOuiddJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w366-h400/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620a.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>These plants looked fantastic close up.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I thought this was the perfect grave, covered in Pyramidal Orchids at Rye Harbour Church.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Anacamptis pyramidalis </i><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOAWbhkKeyQ/X6QpIxp49CI/AAAAAAAAPXs/SuJFiMXzqpES5lwMtmbNSW4MOB3A4nECACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOAWbhkKeyQ/X6QpIxp49CI/AAAAAAAAPXs/SuJFiMXzqpES5lwMtmbNSW4MOB3A4nECACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Biting Stonecrop on the shingle, just coming into flower. When all are in flower, large yellow carpets cover previously bare looking shingle and look great.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Sedum acre</i></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMu6xbW8sMU/X6QpfDgj-fI/AAAAAAAAPX4/CCdF_qOkwiUyoGMTHu-eF1JW98koRXDVACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSedum%2Bacre%2BBiting%2BStonecrop%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMu6xbW8sMU/X6QpfDgj-fI/AAAAAAAAPX4/CCdF_qOkwiUyoGMTHu-eF1JW98koRXDVACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BSedum%2Bacre%2BBiting%2BStonecrop%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Another common stonecrop here is White Stonecrop, which oddly, given how common it is in the south east, is not native here but escaped from gardens and such like. It is native in other parts of the UK like the south west for example, though it is present there along with the similar looking English Stonecrop too.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Sedum album</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q93ARDdDQJc/X6QpfqBQg3I/AAAAAAAAPYE/OLtCthGDQzgj7c8iLWAkxqHQv1qfWFFjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSedum%2Balbum%2BWhite%2BStonecrop%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="800" height="508" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q93ARDdDQJc/X6QpfqBQg3I/AAAAAAAAPYE/OLtCthGDQzgj7c8iLWAkxqHQv1qfWFFjwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h508/aaa%2BSedum%2Balbum%2BWhite%2BStonecrop%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Large flowered Evening Primroses are common in the shingle too. They are worth checking as there are several species they could be. So much so, there is even a field guide book issued by the BSBI to help identify them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7U-6be65gIc/X6QqXIMa7RI/AAAAAAAAPYY/KWO3rav5rqgnTnMm59f8Z_JEgYAmbktjACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOenothera%2Bglazioviana%2BLarge-flowered%2BEvening%2BPrimrose%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="800" height="524" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7U-6be65gIc/X6QqXIMa7RI/AAAAAAAAPYY/KWO3rav5rqgnTnMm59f8Z_JEgYAmbktjACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h524/aaa%2BOenothera%2Bglazioviana%2BLarge-flowered%2BEvening%2BPrimrose%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Strongly reflexed sepals and anthers protruding well out of the trumpet like petals identify this one.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5mC2RN1iuU/X6QqPF6z_iI/AAAAAAAAPYU/QW_sURQSM8sivdCku591Hp6gawztrI8cwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BOenothera%2Bglazioviana%2BLarge-flowered%2BEvening%2BPrimrose%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5mC2RN1iuU/X6QqPF6z_iI/AAAAAAAAPYU/QW_sURQSM8sivdCku591Hp6gawztrI8cwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BOenothera%2Bglazioviana%2BLarge-flowered%2BEvening%2BPrimrose%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Oenothera glazioviana </i><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnIZ6wrVR0g/X6QrLjiplQI/AAAAAAAAPYs/fnWFJZH8Bsk-oypjujPwjjYSlx0V4RBSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BOenothera%2Bglazioviana%2BLarge-flowered%2BEvening%2BPrimrose%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnIZ6wrVR0g/X6QrLjiplQI/AAAAAAAAPYs/fnWFJZH8Bsk-oypjujPwjjYSlx0V4RBSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BOenothera%2Bglazioviana%2BLarge-flowered%2BEvening%2BPrimrose%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mulleins are common around here too and they can require careful observation of details to identify. This one was all over the path to Castle Water, Twiggy Mullein.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Verbascum virgatum</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otRRpRyadR8/X6QrnijySXI/AAAAAAAAPY0/OnrVP81Os-A8Z_UPjGr8J4ksTcwlzYGIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bvirgatum%2BTwiggy%2BMullein%2BTQ9318%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BCastle%2BWater%2B200620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="800" height="614" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otRRpRyadR8/X6QrnijySXI/AAAAAAAAPY0/OnrVP81Os-A8Z_UPjGr8J4ksTcwlzYGIgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h614/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bvirgatum%2BTwiggy%2BMullein%2BTQ9318%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BCastle%2BWater%2B200620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Moth Mullein is similar but has numerous flowers per axil, this only has the one, hence its skinny "twiggy" look.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtgHtIYCK7Y/X6Qrn6y6doI/AAAAAAAAPY4/quZUU3FdVTMVWQaAq2jEnzgAfq84CzLnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1148/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bvirgatum%2BTwiggy%2BMullein%2BTQ9318%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BCastle%2BWater%2B200620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtgHtIYCK7Y/X6Qrn6y6doI/AAAAAAAAPY4/quZUU3FdVTMVWQaAq2jEnzgAfq84CzLnQCLcBGAsYHQ/w446-h640/aaa%2BVerbascum%2Bvirgatum%2BTwiggy%2BMullein%2BTQ9318%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BCastle%2BWater%2B200620a.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Another plant that quickly colonises bare shingle is the Opium Poppy. This magnificent specimen was behind a fence so I couldn't get close to it, but it was still an impressivly large flowered specimen.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> Papaver somniferum</i> type <i>paeoniflorum</i> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh-AnJzpxvE/X6Qs2gPNlGI/AAAAAAAAPZc/JGFX1vPJHrsrlvggij8Zs-qJagPzKo3vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BPapaver%2Bsomniferum%2Btype%2Bpaeoniflorum%2BOpium%2BPoppy%2Bpaeoniflorum.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh-AnJzpxvE/X6Qs2gPNlGI/AAAAAAAAPZc/JGFX1vPJHrsrlvggij8Zs-qJagPzKo3vgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BPapaver%2Bsomniferum%2Btype%2Bpaeoniflorum%2BOpium%2BPoppy%2Bpaeoniflorum.jpg" width="428" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrG39Laqkvw/X6QtHbCvCoI/AAAAAAAAPZo/oN2QPyhMP7gCXYqZdpVQF3ZWGbZpyVABACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BPapaver%2Bsomniferum%2Btype%2Bpaeoniflorum%2BOpium%2BPoppy%2Bpaeoniflorum%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="800" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrG39Laqkvw/X6QtHbCvCoI/AAAAAAAAPZo/oN2QPyhMP7gCXYqZdpVQF3ZWGbZpyVABACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h422/aaa%2BPapaver%2Bsomniferum%2Btype%2Bpaeoniflorum%2BOpium%2BPoppy%2Bpaeoniflorum%2BTQ9319%2BRye%2BHarbour%2BChurch%2B200620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />A short drive along the coast to Pett Level found these Sea Kale plants, some with flowers still out, but most now in seed. These seeds float and are swept away by storms to colonise new areas. Always worth looking around the storm high tide mark as Sea Radish, Sea Rocket, Sea Spurge and Sea Pea are just some of the plants that could be found in such places as well.<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Crambe maritima</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v14jzxd3dS4/X6QsZMOdxaI/AAAAAAAAPZM/Q3FQ8OZjtxcE7jmYy-Hw2OPwIwBlMZxEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCrambe%2Bmaritima%2BSea%2BKale%2Bseeds%2BTQ9014%2BPett%2BLevel%2BBeach%2B200620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v14jzxd3dS4/X6QsZMOdxaI/AAAAAAAAPZM/Q3FQ8OZjtxcE7jmYy-Hw2OPwIwBlMZxEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BCrambe%2Bmaritima%2BSea%2BKale%2Bseeds%2BTQ9014%2BPett%2BLevel%2BBeach%2B200620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7DZgGYev3s/X6QsZDM4Q1I/AAAAAAAAPZE/4wikgypFvgAvWeGRZtnx9E0HcShTORETQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCrambe%2Bmaritima%2BSea%2BKale%2BTQ9014%2BPett%2BLevel%2BBeach%2B200620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="800" height="620" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7DZgGYev3s/X6QsZDM4Q1I/AAAAAAAAPZE/4wikgypFvgAvWeGRZtnx9E0HcShTORETQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h620/aaa%2BCrambe%2Bmaritima%2BSea%2BKale%2BTQ9014%2BPett%2BLevel%2BBeach%2B200620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41WWSiP3c3g/X6QsZdb-RTI/AAAAAAAAPZI/19t59KeRY-MEXhhg1gO0O6kcZDMaXr7mwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BCrambe%2Bmaritima%2BSea%2BKale%2BTQ9014%2BPett%2BLevel%2BBeach%2B200620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41WWSiP3c3g/X6QsZdb-RTI/AAAAAAAAPZI/19t59KeRY-MEXhhg1gO0O6kcZDMaXr7mwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BCrambe%2Bmaritima%2BSea%2BKale%2BTQ9014%2BPett%2BLevel%2BBeach%2B200620a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p>I hope you enjoyed this trip to Sussex as much as we did. If somewhere is crowded, go somewhere else, don't risk spreading covid-19 or catching it by going with the crowds. Take care,</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-28148306578307656922020-11-05T19:26:00.001+00:002020-11-05T19:26:55.946+00:00Folkestone Area, Kent - 20/06/20<p style="text-align: center;"> Having missed the Kent orchids in May due to lockdown restrictions, it was nice to get out and about in June to finally get to see some wild orchids (and other plants) up close.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Folkestone is backed by the chalk hills of the North Downs which soon become the White Cliffs familiar to many. Here is a selection of the wildflowers I found this day.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSvVFBhBOQY/X6QazK7HZNI/AAAAAAAAPVA/JaK74TFDGk8lXHaTZa7UOT3_4WJAHL5QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2138%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSvVFBhBOQY/X6QazK7HZNI/AAAAAAAAPVA/JaK74TFDGk8lXHaTZa7UOT3_4WJAHL5QwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2138%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620c1.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p><br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Early to mid June is the best time to see Common Spotted Orchids. Whilst still relatively common, I have already noticed them becoming scarcer in north Kent with two sites that held them gone within the last 5 years to house building which is ongoing on an industrial scale.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0Z5BGdgqbg/X6QbBSxDsKI/AAAAAAAAPVE/aGg98yBlf_Aqs5Av_7UvVbuOkz6UGK8EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2138%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0Z5BGdgqbg/X6QbBSxDsKI/AAAAAAAAPVE/aGg98yBlf_Aqs5Av_7UvVbuOkz6UGK8EQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTR2138%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620c.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the same area as the Common Spotted Orchids I found Chalk Fragrant and the hybrid between the two. For the long-winded scientific name, see the writing on the photo!<br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01AlUsU2wxE/X6QbmZ5hw7I/AAAAAAAAPVU/DaspW3ObFLQ79NemYPAtwpOI_vCDqV-kACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2Bwith%2Bparents%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620p1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01AlUsU2wxE/X6QbmZ5hw7I/AAAAAAAAPVU/DaspW3ObFLQ79NemYPAtwpOI_vCDqV-kACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2Bwith%2Bparents%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620p1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here is a close up photo of one of the hybrids. This swarm produces several hybrids types, some closer to Chalk Fragrant, others more like Common spotted.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiO5o1NuE04/X6Qb44IZP0I/AAAAAAAAPVg/erEIIq2uFYsnJL9jl4p5CRBXjUyE2tioACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiO5o1NuE04/X6Qb44IZP0I/AAAAAAAAPVg/erEIIq2uFYsnJL9jl4p5CRBXjUyE2tioACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This one below was more akin to Chalk Fragrant with scent too, along with the three pronged lip and marking of a common spotted.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uik-8agjlOQ/X6Qb5siS9gI/AAAAAAAAPVo/py0ySsYjHFwtJHe0xzLd0w6MNEuasGEyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620h1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uik-8agjlOQ/X6Qb5siS9gI/AAAAAAAAPVo/py0ySsYjHFwtJHe0xzLd0w6MNEuasGEyQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620h1.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gM3xGcco93I/X6Qb5L2rcSI/AAAAAAAAPVk/7UNjsDZUzOcPZ2XpCe-4RZDQJ6zdPQLFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gM3xGcco93I/X6Qb5L2rcSI/AAAAAAAAPVk/7UNjsDZUzOcPZ2XpCe-4RZDQJ6zdPQLFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2Bx%2BGymnadenia%2Bconopsea%2Bss%2B%253D%2BX%2BDactylodenia%2Bheinzeliana%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620h.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">A few Bee Orchids were also present in the parched chalk turf. Given that Late Spider Orchids are nearby and they can hybridise with Bee Orchids, I always have a good look in this area to see if there are any unusual variants. I didn't find any hybrids or named variants, but this one was interesting in that it had lost all of its yellow markings in the lower half of the flower.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ophrys apifera</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I72D-fUHHpM/X6Qc1pxRBVI/AAAAAAAAPV4/D_GKfOF9QvcfAihNxP4t4GM_KUXB2rU4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I72D-fUHHpM/X6Qc1pxRBVI/AAAAAAAAPV4/D_GKfOF9QvcfAihNxP4t4GM_KUXB2rU4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2BTR21363819%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's a more typical plant with yellow blobs of colour in the bottom half of the labellum.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk-n4WFWKvk/X6Qc9vUPbUI/AAAAAAAAPV8/EtSqlKyCwj8L_KNrTq9gjBIIJQYAx5ljwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2BTR2138%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk-n4WFWKvk/X6Qc9vUPbUI/AAAAAAAAPV8/EtSqlKyCwj8L_KNrTq9gjBIIJQYAx5ljwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2BTR2138%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">A few Pyramidal Orchids completed the orchid selection here.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Anacamptis pyramidalis</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt1MYXAcC7M/X6QdZk-YdZI/AAAAAAAAPWM/8Fsc52L301Mvmwyhf2f50bHRRyaF674ngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BTR2138%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt1MYXAcC7M/X6QdZk-YdZI/AAAAAAAAPWM/8Fsc52L301Mvmwyhf2f50bHRRyaF674ngCLcBGAsYHQ/w429-h640/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BTR2138%2B%2BFolkestone%2BDowns%2BRound%2BHill%2B190620.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the Downs, I travelled a couple of miles to the beach for a walk and photographed a few shingle plants along the way. First up was Common Restharrow, common around the coasts though formerly it was also a troublesome arable weed prior to mass herbicide use. I love their small flowers which to me are reminiscent of rhino horns!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ononis repens</i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xevAusXLobc/X6QeCd-XQ9I/AAAAAAAAPWY/Y0Oa4FJjd-gtWylD_YO9MZkJuNeFfkryQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOnonis%2Brepens%2BCommon%2BRestharrow%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xevAusXLobc/X6QeCd-XQ9I/AAAAAAAAPWY/Y0Oa4FJjd-gtWylD_YO9MZkJuNeFfkryQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BOnonis%2Brepens%2BCommon%2BRestharrow%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is an escaped colony of Hottentot Figs on the beach here. It's been here several years and it is slowly spreading, originally vertically down a cliff, but now horizontally along the shingle. However, it looked suspiciously like a similar plant, Carpobrotus acinaciformis which has these pink flowers. I took a photo of the leaves to double check and even brought a sample home. I failed to come to a firm ID and kindly, the East Kent County Recorder took it up for me and made her own visit to this known colony. From measurements of sepals and such like and advice from the BSBI referee she determined it was indeed Carpobrotus edulis (Hottentot Fig) and not Carpobrotus acinaciformis as I had suspected. It goes to show that even known plants should be questioned and verified. I found the leaves to have a mix of characters shown for both species so could not determine it myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Carpobrotus edulis var. rubescens </i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iftx_32D6u4/X6Qei23_uAI/AAAAAAAAPWk/-9O7lCeDGHYlQni9dObPgsj2OgD1wsnJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCarpobrtous%2Bedulis%2BHottentot%2BFig%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="800" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iftx_32D6u4/X6Qei23_uAI/AAAAAAAAPWk/-9O7lCeDGHYlQni9dObPgsj2OgD1wsnJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h454/aaa%2BCarpobrtous%2Bedulis%2BHottentot%2BFig%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the reply from the BSBI recorder for Aizoaceae which I found interesting:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"<span style="color: #1f497d;">Thanks for sending the excellent photos.
These look like perfectly ordinary C. edulis (var. rubescens) to me. I
must confess that I never saw any living material of C. acinaciformis
when I did a lot of fieldwork looking at the naturalised British and
Irish plants, nor have I seen good photos of British populations. But I
can’t see any reason to call this other than C. edulis. I don’t think
that any evidence has been found subsequently to support Lousley’s
speculation about the purple-flowered plant having a hybrid origin".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the benefits of being a BSBI member is having access to experts for all the botanical plants one may find in the UK. This was the second time I had used them this year, the first was for a Dandelion ID earlier in the year. You can also ask the County Recorders for IDs and I thank Sue Buckingham very much for her time. She is very dedicated and very helpful to members and non members alike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dodgy leaves of Carpobrotus that led me to question this plant's identity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(C. edulis also normally has yellow flowers and C. acinaciformishas red).<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu_d9Z9llJA/X6QeiwdTjjI/AAAAAAAAPWg/AzowaIfDL-gQHpWHYtfcaOCHkmN3Q9-NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCarpobrtous%2Bedulis%2BHottentot%2BFig%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="800" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu_d9Z9llJA/X6QeiwdTjjI/AAAAAAAAPWg/AzowaIfDL-gQHpWHYtfcaOCHkmN3Q9-NQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h358/aaa%2BCarpobrtous%2Bedulis%2BHottentot%2BFig%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sea Lavenders are another difficult to identify group of plants with several species which all look similar. I was fortunate here in that these had already been firmly identified as Rock Sea-Lavender which are prevalent on this stretch of coast. On the salt marshes of the Thames Estuary to the north, you will only find Common Sea Lavender and this species below is entirely absent there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Limonium binervosum</i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-8lE04rAZE/X6Qh4jWqbZI/AAAAAAAAPW0/Pi0hglt_teEs3QcXO3oK1rwztIlBrR6igCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLimonium%2Bbinervosum%2Bss%2BRock%2BSea%2BLavender%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-8lE04rAZE/X6Qh4jWqbZI/AAAAAAAAPW0/Pi0hglt_teEs3QcXO3oK1rwztIlBrR6igCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BLimonium%2Bbinervosum%2Bss%2BRock%2BSea%2BLavender%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below: the small, delicate lavender coloured flowers of Rock Sea-lavender up close.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saKs0wRpqtY/X6Qh4smtBcI/AAAAAAAAPWw/AAZUrIVlyOYFMgePip4LvwD4MOKOrR5tgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLimonium%2Bbinervosum%2Bss%2BRock%2BSea%2BLavender%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="800" height="488" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saKs0wRpqtY/X6Qh4smtBcI/AAAAAAAAPWw/AAZUrIVlyOYFMgePip4LvwD4MOKOrR5tgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h488/aaa%2BLimonium%2Bbinervosum%2Bss%2BRock%2BSea%2BLavender%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My final offering was the impressive Tree Mallow, a common find along the shores of south east Kent. It has very large flowers with an intense purple centre surrounded by lilac petals striped purple. I have seen them grow to about 8 feet tall in Thanet.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XOvLodgw04/X6Qit0A19OI/AAAAAAAAPXA/dvC7aJAVAFkKG0jS7Y8fFotLGr738mXZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BMalva%2Barborea%2BTree%2BMallow%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XOvLodgw04/X6Qit0A19OI/AAAAAAAAPXA/dvC7aJAVAFkKG0jS7Y8fFotLGr738mXZACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BMalva%2Barborea%2BTree%2BMallow%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Malva arborea</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2c6-P2jQU/X6QitwF7kbI/AAAAAAAAPXE/7_DLOZR93P8ZZQmNMVG8Ut79ERPr3wMtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BMalva%2Barborea%2BTree%2BMallow%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2c6-P2jQU/X6QitwF7kbI/AAAAAAAAPXE/7_DLOZR93P8ZZQmNMVG8Ut79ERPr3wMtwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BMalva%2Barborea%2BTree%2BMallow%2BTR2235%2BFolkestone%2B190620a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /> So ended another day out hunting out the wildflowers of Kent. Now we are in a second lockdown at the time of writing (early November), so these Summer trips now seem like a lifetime ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take Care</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dave</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">@Barbus59<br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-87582693242219903602020-11-01T11:42:00.001+00:002023-03-29T22:58:26.972+00:00Longfield - Kent 17/06/20<p style="text-align: center;"> Longfield in Kent is my home town and it is surrounded by fields to the north, mature woodlands to the south and a variety of chalk habitats inbetween. One of the better habitats in the area was formed by the renovation of the railway link line, formerly disused but brought back into service when the HS1 ran to Waterloo a few years back.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Below is a selection of plants I photographed on this walk of about 2 hours. I hope you like them.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I found a patch of these plants growing in the wild last year and they were a West Kent 1st (VC16) for definitely growing in the wild. It is Mediterranean Sea Holly and this year was in full flower with additional plants found. It's actually on private land and was not planted.</p><p style="text-align: center;">See Kent Botany page 29</p><p style="text-align: center;">https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Kent-Botany-2019.pdf <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjDcCDdTK44/X5Rrbt2BnlI/AAAAAAAAPSk/Vm0lUxesVAQDXdmSbmVxd09tIqp9Xw9EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bbourgatii%2BMediterrnean%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ59806962%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjDcCDdTK44/X5Rrbt2BnlI/AAAAAAAAPSk/Vm0lUxesVAQDXdmSbmVxd09tIqp9Xw9EQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bbourgatii%2BMediterrnean%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ59806962%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vxqy1LiY0QI/X5RsJla85qI/AAAAAAAAPSw/_iaoPhZFKHoDUctd86LyfvhZcPtVJfwcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bbourgatii%2BMediterrnean%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vxqy1LiY0QI/X5RsJla85qI/AAAAAAAAPSw/_iaoPhZFKHoDUctd86LyfvhZcPtVJfwcwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bbourgatii%2BMediterrnean%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620c.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Eryngium bourgatii</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ6l7SCgE-c/X5RsVt4pt1I/AAAAAAAAPS0/kqUPUQokNPo_MsZX8ZkN1G11siAUFr5twCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bbourgatii%2BMediterrnean%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ6l7SCgE-c/X5RsVt4pt1I/AAAAAAAAPS0/kqUPUQokNPo_MsZX8ZkN1G11siAUFr5twCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BEryngium%2Bbourgatii%2BMediterrnean%2BSea%2BHolly%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">The first Lizard Orchid in this area for almost 100 years failed to survive the Spring drought of 2020. It put forth a flower spike then had weeks without any rain at all causing it to shrivel up. I do hope that the tuber survived this trauma and that it will arise again perhaps in a couple of years time.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Kent-Botany-2019.pdf ">https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Kent-Botany-2019.pdf </a><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekA5NTanMZY/X5RypW054rI/AAAAAAAAPUM/_KGg9QoqbsU7ME1d0htn7OKzAG9t6Gw_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2Bdead%2Bfrom%2Bdrought%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekA5NTanMZY/X5RypW054rI/AAAAAAAAPUM/_KGg9QoqbsU7ME1d0htn7OKzAG9t6Gw_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w268-h400/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2Bdead%2Bfrom%2Bdrought%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Nearby was our native colourful Pyramidal Orchid. What was unusual about this and others nearby was that they were growing on an arable field edge, obviously unsprayed. I don't think this was for any aesthetic reasons by the farmer, but because the field edge backed up against back gardens and no doubt spraying herbicides around kids playing in such gardens might lead to some lawsuits! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Anacamptis pyramidalis</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeAtrxl5V_E/X5RsyEucqII/AAAAAAAAPTE/9z7wFLB6J5Y_JVf5SEfGD-UJlUi-aYRnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2BpyramidalisTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeAtrxl5V_E/X5RsyEucqII/AAAAAAAAPTE/9z7wFLB6J5Y_JVf5SEfGD-UJlUi-aYRnACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2BpyramidalisTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Nearby gardens equals throwouts and in this field not far from the orchids were patches of this hybrid Cranesbill.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Druce's Cranesbill</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Geranium endressii x versicolor = G. x oxonianum </i><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqL9pJq_cgw/X5RthqMn9yI/AAAAAAAAPTM/167bPN53PoE6HE2KL7UI0RbAsXW4EpQbACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BGeranium%2Bendressii%2Bx%2Bversicolor%2B%253D%2BG%2B%2Bx%2Boxonianum%2BDruces%2BCranesbill%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqL9pJq_cgw/X5RthqMn9yI/AAAAAAAAPTM/167bPN53PoE6HE2KL7UI0RbAsXW4EpQbACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BGeranium%2Bendressii%2Bx%2Bversicolor%2B%253D%2BG%2B%2Bx%2Boxonianum%2BDruces%2BCranesbill%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Hundreds of Ox-eye Daisies still in flower in late June when they peak a month before.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Leucanthemum vulgare</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ltivd6dOfNI/X5RuXBSTbNI/AAAAAAAAPTU/1QhP79YsCXQzWkmSEGRM5Ou-dkGRWQ9WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLeucanthemum%2Bvulgare%2BOx%2Beye%2BDaisy%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="429" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ltivd6dOfNI/X5RuXBSTbNI/AAAAAAAAPTU/1QhP79YsCXQzWkmSEGRM5Ou-dkGRWQ9WwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h429/aaa%2BLeucanthemum%2Bvulgare%2BOx%2Beye%2BDaisy%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Swollen-thighed Beetle (males have bigger thighs) on a Field Scabious flower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> Oedemera nobilis</i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSwey_z-GAQ/X5Ru1ct-6TI/AAAAAAAAPTc/_bJBfdwTOqgjm3vfAzjiGnCYVO2EEPdawCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOedemera%2Bnobilis%2BSwollen%2Bthighed%2Bbeetle%2Bfemale%2BQ5969%2BLongfield%2BChalk%2BBank%2BKWT%2B170620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="800" height="610" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSwey_z-GAQ/X5Ru1ct-6TI/AAAAAAAAPTc/_bJBfdwTOqgjm3vfAzjiGnCYVO2EEPdawCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h610/aaa%2BOedemera%2Bnobilis%2BSwollen%2Bthighed%2Bbeetle%2Bfemale%2BQ5969%2BLongfield%2BChalk%2BBank%2BKWT%2B170620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">A clump of Knapweed Broomrape seems to appear every few years at KWT Longfield chalk bank. They came up in 2020 and surprising there are still vigourous host plants of Greater Scabious around them.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Orobanche elatior </i><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WSrPRyQeLNc/X5RvM59u9xI/AAAAAAAAPTk/T2MTDx9e3ug2c3qUtjidXehPRTx_fcK8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Belatior%2BKnapweed%2BBroomrape%2Bon%2BC%2Bscabiosa%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2BChalk%2BBank%2BKWT%2B170620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WSrPRyQeLNc/X5RvM59u9xI/AAAAAAAAPTk/T2MTDx9e3ug2c3qUtjidXehPRTx_fcK8gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Belatior%2BKnapweed%2BBroomrape%2Bon%2BC%2Bscabiosa%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2BChalk%2BBank%2BKWT%2B170620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Common Milkwort comes in blue, purple, pink or white. They are quite small and uniquely have a flower within a flower.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Polygala vulgaris</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YymltUA5I_Q/X5RwI8OzigI/AAAAAAAAPTs/tHmkvAcelLcrsDKlpWemdr33u6O7JkINQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BPolygala%2Bvulgaris%2BCommon%2BMilkwort%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="800" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YymltUA5I_Q/X5RwI8OzigI/AAAAAAAAPTs/tHmkvAcelLcrsDKlpWemdr33u6O7JkINQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h448/aaa%2BPolygala%2Bvulgaris%2BCommon%2BMilkwort%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Blackberries forming and then Cherries on the trees showed that Summer is most definitely finite and would soon be over.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Prunus avium<br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VG2t4biZj5Q/X5Rwpp_N_SI/AAAAAAAAPT0/Oo2XrtzxOu8-qmIMWj7gaI6EoBq8kzMEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BPrunus%2Bavium%2BWild%2BCherry%2BQ5969%2BLongfield%2BChalk%2BBank%2BKWT%2B170620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VG2t4biZj5Q/X5Rwpp_N_SI/AAAAAAAAPT0/Oo2XrtzxOu8-qmIMWj7gaI6EoBq8kzMEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BPrunus%2Bavium%2BWild%2BCherry%2BQ5969%2BLongfield%2BChalk%2BBank%2BKWT%2B170620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1EwzWJsKQA/X5RxP-H3SxI/AAAAAAAAPT8/HukL-4Kyn_gxk2a6kBEDRJuZ2DcBZ3LkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1074/aaa%2BPhleum%2Bpratense%2BTimothy%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1EwzWJsKQA/X5RxP-H3SxI/AAAAAAAAPT8/HukL-4Kyn_gxk2a6kBEDRJuZ2DcBZ3LkwCLcBGAsYHQ/w476-h640/aaa%2BPhleum%2Bpratense%2BTimothy%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Some grasses look amazing close up. This is Timothy with its distiinctive spikelets.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Phleum pratensis</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">A Small Heath butterfly finished off a lovely walk.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LFUUCujsC8/X5Rxv7Pw3XI/AAAAAAAAPUE/LlJM-WHuCFEITZtR5Mhd5FTBsqzYS3NZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSmall%2BHeath%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="800" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LFUUCujsC8/X5Rxv7Pw3XI/AAAAAAAAPUE/LlJM-WHuCFEITZtR5Mhd5FTBsqzYS3NZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/aaa%2BSmall%2BHeath%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Take care</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-39407258514226892282020-10-24T17:28:00.001+00:002023-03-29T23:03:18.335+00:00Ranscombe Farm, Kent - 14/06/20<p> Ranscombe is a very large reserve for rare plants and wildlife located near Cuxton managed by Plantlife. I highly recommend people to visit as it contains an amazing variety of both common and rare wildflowers. Don't be put off by the word "Farm" as it isn't just fields, there are several ancient woodland areas and even chalk grassland too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">As such, wild orchids feature heavily and several species are found here. I added Bird's Nest Orchids to the list of those found here a few years back when I saw some on the edge of the Great Wood. </p><p style="text-align: center;">One of the commoner orchids found here is the Bee Orchid which is common especially on the northern edge of the reserve. But in 2019 a special variant was found which is an amazing variant that I haven't seen anywhere else. So I went to visit and have a look for myself.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here it is.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCH75hxGe8Q/X5RR4SOBeoI/AAAAAAAAPN8/rcZIjhQjkwUfsmk7Y5-biupP8YaotAyrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bunknown%2Bvar%2BTQ69806810%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B140620f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCH75hxGe8Q/X5RR4SOBeoI/AAAAAAAAPN8/rcZIjhQjkwUfsmk7Y5-biupP8YaotAyrwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bunknown%2Bvar%2BTQ69806810%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B140620f.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">It's not uncommon for a Bee Orchid to show variation, but what is rare is for a whole colony to show this variation and where they were found there were at least 20 seperate plants all showing like those above.</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YK0F2ClPGrw/X5RSQA9Qh2I/AAAAAAAAPOI/Tje8kvCayII6pNY37FNgePsO-GJQpH-9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bunknown%2Bvar%2BTQ69806810%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B140620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YK0F2ClPGrw/X5RSQA9Qh2I/AAAAAAAAPOI/Tje8kvCayII6pNY37FNgePsO-GJQpH-9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bunknown%2Bvar%2BTQ69806810%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B140620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ophrys apifera var. cambrensis</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUfPTYItD_g/X5RSQIq17VI/AAAAAAAAPOM/cYpBYJ8F4PMCEj2qvsr4ffQPjgGehM1sQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1366/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bunknown%2Bvar%2BTQ69806810%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B140620h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUfPTYItD_g/X5RSQIq17VI/AAAAAAAAPOM/cYpBYJ8F4PMCEj2qvsr4ffQPjgGehM1sQCLcBGAsYHQ/w374-h640/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bunknown%2Bvar%2BTQ69806810%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B140620h.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><br /><p>Surprisingly, these weren't located on chalk turf but hiding under fronds of Bracken on the more acidic soils that cap the chalk higher up a hillside. You can see the Bracken fronds in the first photo above. Experts determined these that these are var. <i>cambrensis. </i>See also <a href="https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Kent-Botany-2019.pdf">https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Kent-Botany-2019.pdf</a> for the original find in 2019.</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IAQqH1BaL4/X5RVRzC6pkI/AAAAAAAAPOc/LCTZGKlI1NIP9PD9wVlXmZqkLW6mjI4GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bunknown%2Bvar%2BTQ69806810%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B140620j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IAQqH1BaL4/X5RVRzC6pkI/AAAAAAAAPOc/LCTZGKlI1NIP9PD9wVlXmZqkLW6mjI4GQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bunknown%2Bvar%2BTQ69806810%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2B140620j.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">What an amazing set of Bee Orchids! It is this variation that makes the Bee Orchid one of the most interesting to find. One always has to bend down just to check it isn't one of the variants or perhaps even a new one!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Ranscombe Farm though is far more than orchids. There are millions of wildflowers there, some planted, but most naturally occurring from the seedbank. Herbicide use is minimal and the wildflowers respond as if from the days of old. A marvellous sight to see. Here's a crop of poppies, but in between them were all sorts of arable plants missing from the vast majority of modern intensively farmed fields. You can make out the intense green spikes of Weld in the centre and Flax is dotted around along with Phacelia and Wild Radish varieties.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbn5fal8NfY/X5RV_blYs-I/AAAAAAAAPOk/l2j0n0lkN_0rAcWuIr2N5qyYCl4EqPBIACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbn5fal8NfY/X5RV_blYs-I/AAAAAAAAPOk/l2j0n0lkN_0rAcWuIr2N5qyYCl4EqPBIACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">What follows is a selection of photos I took this day at this amazing place.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">xxxx <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">This is the Corncockle. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Agrostemma githago<br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJRxetKIyQk/X5RWj16YtdI/AAAAAAAAPOs/xZGVWB7z4U8-wzLz3lTRS6g_VJ6AmRFfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAgrostemma%2Bgithago%2BCorncockle%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="800" height="572" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJRxetKIyQk/X5RWj16YtdI/AAAAAAAAPOs/xZGVWB7z4U8-wzLz3lTRS6g_VJ6AmRFfgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h572/aaa%2BAgrostemma%2Bgithago%2BCorncockle%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Stinking Chamomile</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Anthemis cotula</i></p><p> <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmshe_HFhBE/X5RXFPBBDyI/AAAAAAAAPO0/fsA2xwIQ-bQte_5sw-EEeIU0wtc_779iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BAnthemis%2Bcotula%2BStinking%2BChamomile%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmshe_HFhBE/X5RXFPBBDyI/AAAAAAAAPO0/fsA2xwIQ-bQte_5sw-EEeIU0wtc_779iwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BAnthemis%2Bcotula%2BStinking%2BChamomile%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sshidEljSrE/X5RXWw4zgWI/AAAAAAAAPPA/_OjrhrFHwnMfIQwFWluBMxmORA2cGCSGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BAquilegia%2Bvulgaris%2BColumbine%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sshidEljSrE/X5RXWw4zgWI/AAAAAAAAPPA/_OjrhrFHwnMfIQwFWluBMxmORA2cGCSGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BAquilegia%2Bvulgaris%2BColumbine%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Columbine (Wild)<br /></p><p><i>Aquilegia vulgaris</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKhG_TtWqKI/X5RXW4IV1AI/AAAAAAAAPO8/ufmeBeObrdwX9tMHTpOAZJT1zs7XhvP0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAquilegia%2Bvulgaris%2BColumbine%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKhG_TtWqKI/X5RXW4IV1AI/AAAAAAAAPO8/ufmeBeObrdwX9tMHTpOAZJT1zs7XhvP0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BAquilegia%2Bvulgaris%2BColumbine%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Wild Liquorice</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Astragallos glycyphyllos</i></p><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shbVo_AUFCM/X5RXxCuYyyI/AAAAAAAAPPQ/hlOXuAPFG-A0dRQHbuMsJDfGLaciwafkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1192/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2Bnorth%2B140620c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shbVo_AUFCM/X5RXxCuYyyI/AAAAAAAAPPQ/hlOXuAPFG-A0dRQHbuMsJDfGLaciwafkACLcBGAsYHQ/w430-h640/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2Bnorth%2B140620c.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxCw_LFntdY/X5RX66O-NXI/AAAAAAAAPPU/wgBDUUJwl7kou9UT_TXPU6xLN0Fy9-2jACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2Bnorth%2B140620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxCw_LFntdY/X5RX66O-NXI/AAAAAAAAPPU/wgBDUUJwl7kou9UT_TXPU6xLN0Fy9-2jACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2Bnorth%2B140620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjJKjd7Nc3g/X5Rb8IZJcbI/AAAAAAAAPPs/hbQch2QfpjIJOqn58GsRbtJuhCG_Vjx1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BCentaurium%2Berythraea%2BCommon%2BCentaury%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2Bnorth%2B140620a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjJKjd7Nc3g/X5Rb8IZJcbI/AAAAAAAAPPs/hbQch2QfpjIJOqn58GsRbtJuhCG_Vjx1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w429-h640/aaa%2BCentaurium%2Berythraea%2BCommon%2BCentaury%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2Bnorth%2B140620a.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><p></p><p>Common Centaury</p><p><i>Centaurium erythraea</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBuuib0WcKg/X5Rb7Vs-1VI/AAAAAAAAPPo/i-CrzoFuKjApaeNrOh65UOv1_moL6epaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BChamaenarium%2Bangustifolium%2BRosebay%2BWillowherb%2BTQ6967%2BBrockles%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBuuib0WcKg/X5Rb7Vs-1VI/AAAAAAAAPPo/i-CrzoFuKjApaeNrOh65UOv1_moL6epaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w429-h640/aaa%2BChamaenarium%2Bangustifolium%2BRosebay%2BWillowherb%2BTQ6967%2BBrockles%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>Rosebay Willowherb</p><p><i>Chamaenarium angustifolium</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dwarf Spurge</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Euphorbia exigua</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FecKAhy1X4/X5RcrUJVrMI/AAAAAAAAPP8/FByeXYSUHAcxpeUEJYT9Vkf0zfMhNKGPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BEuphorbia%2Bexigua%2BDwarf%2BSpurge%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="800" height="498" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FecKAhy1X4/X5RcrUJVrMI/AAAAAAAAPP8/FByeXYSUHAcxpeUEJYT9Vkf0zfMhNKGPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h498/aaa%2BEuphorbia%2Bexigua%2BDwarf%2BSpurge%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Common Rockrose</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Helianthemum nummularium</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTeTtla8KT4/X5RdD8qzhhI/AAAAAAAAPQE/hJ0bOFJQxrs69yjv2R_C7b5YFYevI1NJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BHelianthemum%2Bnummularium%2BCommon%2BRockrose%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTeTtla8KT4/X5RdD8qzhhI/AAAAAAAAPQE/hJ0bOFJQxrs69yjv2R_C7b5YFYevI1NJACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BHelianthemum%2Bnummularium%2BCommon%2BRockrose%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">A view across the famous Kitchen Field, full of rare arable plants with the southern flank of the Great Wood on its border.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-3LLqtyc_Q/X5RdUhlx6LI/AAAAAAAAPQM/BPqdQLXt9bMlMqZZkUpJSLEgSx8VLWp6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-3LLqtyc_Q/X5RdUhlx6LI/AAAAAAAAPQM/BPqdQLXt9bMlMqZZkUpJSLEgSx8VLWp6ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkcqJcLPtuw/X5Rdj_qGeRI/AAAAAAAAPQQ/YrkFlQzcyFYfDDiqWkSbI73zfOAsxMTYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BLegousia%2Bhybrida%2BVenus%2BLooking%2BGlass%2BTQ6968%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620b.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkcqJcLPtuw/X5Rdj_qGeRI/AAAAAAAAPQQ/YrkFlQzcyFYfDDiqWkSbI73zfOAsxMTYwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BLegousia%2Bhybrida%2BVenus%2BLooking%2BGlass%2BTQ6968%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p>Venus Looking Glass</p><p><i>Legousia hybrida</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Common Gromwell</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lithospermum officinale</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjKXOyrxAww/X5ReFcvW1BI/AAAAAAAAPQo/8HKMNBkKAiAwjBJBz94-uYs0nEF_AO0_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1111/aaa%2BLithospermum%2Bofficinale%2BCommon%2BGromwell%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjKXOyrxAww/X5ReFcvW1BI/AAAAAAAAPQo/8HKMNBkKAiAwjBJBz94-uYs0nEF_AO0_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w460-h640/aaa%2BLithospermum%2Bofficinale%2BCommon%2BGromwell%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4I42rKuBXUs/X5ReZGR2API/AAAAAAAAPQ0/nahduL9fSi4bZ2gGyaz9tdgqykmYlOXuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BOphrys%2Binsectifera%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4I42rKuBXUs/X5ReZGR2API/AAAAAAAAPQ0/nahduL9fSi4bZ2gGyaz9tdgqykmYlOXuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BOphrys%2Binsectifera%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also managed to find just a single Fly Orchid remaining with the rest all now in seed and withered away. This one from the Mill Hill woods area.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Ophrys insectifera</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqG7oPb8mH8/X5RfOZ6x-kI/AAAAAAAAPRE/lkcsedz6bZ8p_Mi1Zfg566PjrLIf5uqbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bminor%2BCommon%2BBroomrape%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqG7oPb8mH8/X5RfOZ6x-kI/AAAAAAAAPRE/lkcsedz6bZ8p_Mi1Zfg566PjrLIf5uqbwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bminor%2BCommon%2BBroomrape%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p><br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">There were some nice examples of Common Broomrape too, their flowers were unusually purple.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Orobanche minor</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqrVdnvuLWk/X5RfPIVEyAI/AAAAAAAAPRQ/lg2kSJfOSAcLS0v_lyTt65_92Ztaa7LxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bminor%2BCommon%2BBroomrape%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqrVdnvuLWk/X5RfPIVEyAI/AAAAAAAAPRQ/lg2kSJfOSAcLS0v_lyTt65_92Ztaa7LxgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bminor%2BCommon%2BBroomrape%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">One of the fine views at Ranscombe.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hQU1BioZsM/X5Rf0l1IizI/AAAAAAAAPRk/0KlqhvOIZXsGkGD2bkStZC6xO3vWzDplACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2Bnorth%2Bof%2BMill%2BHill%2B140620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hQU1BioZsM/X5Rf0l1IizI/AAAAAAAAPRk/0KlqhvOIZXsGkGD2bkStZC6xO3vWzDplACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BRanscombe%2BFarm%2Bnorth%2Bof%2BMill%2BHill%2B140620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XX9YWHhNIrg/X5RgGjbfsRI/AAAAAAAAPRs/niNqu5HZhXcEiuF9gO6g3PZLJj57HYTQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BThlaspi%2Barvense%2BField%2BPennycress%2BTQ6968%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XX9YWHhNIrg/X5RgGjbfsRI/AAAAAAAAPRs/niNqu5HZhXcEiuF9gO6g3PZLJj57HYTQACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/aaa%2BThlaspi%2Barvense%2BField%2BPennycress%2BTQ6968%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Field Pennycress</p><p><i>Thlaspi arvense</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkmFNJ3HCfM/X5RgZkQ_NEI/AAAAAAAAPR0/0tyfju6JHEAcYny_23-usDV6aV_JWafnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1129/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bcampestre%2BHop%2BTrefoil%2BTQ6967%2BBrockles%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkmFNJ3HCfM/X5RgZkQ_NEI/AAAAAAAAPR0/0tyfju6JHEAcYny_23-usDV6aV_JWafnQCLcBGAsYHQ/w454-h640/aaa%2BTrifolium%2Bcampestre%2BHop%2BTrefoil%2BTQ6967%2BBrockles%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /><p>Hop Trefoil</p><p><i>Trifolium campestre</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Vervain</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Verbena officinalis</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TswKCvs_3Es/X5RgpXOFPQI/AAAAAAAAPR8/oKsWIIdjC2U8aSgEoHVBNRMWJyq3zFkSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVerbena%2Bofficinalis%2BVervain%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2Bnorth%2B140620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TswKCvs_3Es/X5RgpXOFPQI/AAAAAAAAPR8/oKsWIIdjC2U8aSgEoHVBNRMWJyq3zFkSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BVerbena%2Bofficinalis%2BVervain%2BTQ6967%2BKitchen%2BField%2Bnorth%2B140620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Tufted Vetch</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Vicia cracca</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGfFziXPmm8/X5RgpfL3QaI/AAAAAAAAPSE/wbNONoYa0j8Eet2ORkNF3nzuIthOB1xCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVicia%2Bcracca%2BTufted%2BVetch%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGfFziXPmm8/X5RgpfL3QaI/AAAAAAAAPSE/wbNONoYa0j8Eet2ORkNF3nzuIthOB1xCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BVicia%2Bcracca%2BTufted%2BVetch%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljwe4Lcfb64/X5Rgpf5CeAI/AAAAAAAAPSA/qyBC-nCFongQ25I3dGL3CRPbV1aILb44gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1021/aaa%2BVicia%2Bsepium%2BBush%2BVetch%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljwe4Lcfb64/X5Rgpf5CeAI/AAAAAAAAPSA/qyBC-nCFongQ25I3dGL3CRPbV1aILb44gCLcBGAsYHQ/w314-h400/aaa%2BVicia%2Bsepium%2BBush%2BVetch%2BTQ7067%2BMill%2BHill%2BRanscombe%2B140620a.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><br /><p>Bush Vetch</p><p>Vicia sepium</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Of course I saw lots more, but one has to draw a line somewhere. There's always interesting things to see here, throughout the year too, including a wealth of fungi, insects, birds, mammals, you name it, much can be found at Ranscombe. Why not join Plantlife and contribute to its conservation work too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk">https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk</a></p><p> </p><p>More views:</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SYw35GkVTc/X5RiA55h1wI/AAAAAAAAPSU/q4XfrbYv0WIs00plcv_tkzDQx6JCOp7ngCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SYw35GkVTc/X5RiA55h1wI/AAAAAAAAPSU/q4XfrbYv0WIs00plcv_tkzDQx6JCOp7ngCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43O2T4OC6vs/X5RiA39nXSI/AAAAAAAAPSY/85BSrZh-uFADUkYLfDzDSOnkYiWXf0bhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43O2T4OC6vs/X5RiA39nXSI/AAAAAAAAPSY/85BSrZh-uFADUkYLfDzDSOnkYiWXf0bhQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/aaa%2BKitchen%2BField%2BRanscombe%2B140620d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Take Care</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59</p><p><br /></p><p> <br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-85478495770281203442020-08-25T20:01:00.001+00:002020-08-25T20:01:13.284+00:00Hemsted Forest and Greatstone, East Kent - 13/06/20<p> Hemsted Forest is a wood near to Benenden Hospital in south Kent. I had never been there before so thought I would take a walk and see what I could find. The following are the plants I photographed.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It's always nice to find a Spring flower still going in to the early Summer. This is the Bugle of which I am accustomed to seeing in the presence of Bluebells and Early Purple Orchids.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ajuga reptans</i><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTJngG4jltA/X0VjhabtvqI/AAAAAAAAPJo/ip-l_OhMy2kqcu7wj0VfJRWwOcx51KFkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1293/aaa%2BAjuga%2Breptans%2BBugle%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="800" height="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTJngG4jltA/X0VjhabtvqI/AAAAAAAAPJo/ip-l_OhMy2kqcu7wj0VfJRWwOcx51KFkACLcBGAsYHQ/w619-h1000/aaa%2BAjuga%2Breptans%2BBugle%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" width="619" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is a Hard Fern, which has different leaves - one is fertile, the other isn't, thus easy to identify.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Blechnum spicant</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvNVVh5cMl4/X0VjhTwatOI/AAAAAAAAPJw/W8TToKlh7YgQfbo9rJltpjv85DDvPR5wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BBlechnum%2Bspicant%2BHard%2BFern%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvNVVh5cMl4/X0VjhTwatOI/AAAAAAAAPJw/W8TToKlh7YgQfbo9rJltpjv85DDvPR5wwCLcBGAsYHQ/w534-h800/aaa%2BBlechnum%2Bspicant%2BHard%2BFern%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The congested flowerhead of a Marsh Thistle, a plant that often exceeds six feet in height.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cirsium palustre</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7O-nC8o4m48/X0VjhbseNlI/AAAAAAAAPJs/WRMGBhz5XRMTtu4_xxPoHo-oeXCdYan_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BCirsium%2Bpalustre%2BMarsh%2BThistle%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7O-nC8o4m48/X0VjhbseNlI/AAAAAAAAPJs/WRMGBhz5XRMTtu4_xxPoHo-oeXCdYan_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BCirsium%2Bpalustre%2BMarsh%2BThistle%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The odd Common Sppotted Orchid was dotted along the woodland rides.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dactylorhiza fuchsii</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3o7CwaE-whY/X0VksV6deZI/AAAAAAAAPKA/X8JoXx7fvpQiRx8fEDDjTH8a6C7GzFORgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="534" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3o7CwaE-whY/X0VksV6deZI/AAAAAAAAPKA/X8JoXx7fvpQiRx8fEDDjTH8a6C7GzFORgCLcBGAsYHQ/w800-h534/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZvAAh1Nwg0/X0Vksay5tXI/AAAAAAAAPKE/k525jYTJJTEBfrMptx2ZCEwLjjIuvwQNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZvAAh1Nwg0/X0Vksay5tXI/AAAAAAAAPKE/k525jYTJJTEBfrMptx2ZCEwLjjIuvwQNQCLcBGAsYHQ/w534-h800/aaa%2BDactylorhiza%2Bfuchsii%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620b.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dwarfing the orchids were Foxgloves, some well over 6 feet tall and most in full flower. A firm favourite of Bumblebees.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Digitalis purpurea</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8bkbLvgO_o/X0VksR9h2eI/AAAAAAAAPKI/O-_uqMLDKxApwkXJCKIhSWNyNUy1K_AZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BDigitalis%2Bpurpurea%2BFoxglove%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8bkbLvgO_o/X0VksR9h2eI/AAAAAAAAPKI/O-_uqMLDKxApwkXJCKIhSWNyNUy1K_AZACLcBGAsYHQ/w534-h800/aaa%2BDigitalis%2Bpurpurea%2BFoxglove%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The big green-leaved plant is what I first noticed as it is a Broad-leaved Helleborine (<i>Epipactis helleborine</i>) , a late Summer flowering orchid. However, beneath it was a mat of the RPR species Heath Speedwell, (<i>Veronica officinalis</i>). Two interesting plants in one here!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bwxx0YWR4E/X0VlVWMCzII/AAAAAAAAPKc/yC2AW0_drLMVQk3u3Nyt_chLyc4docTNACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BEpipactis%2Bhelleborine%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="534" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bwxx0YWR4E/X0VlVWMCzII/AAAAAAAAPKc/yC2AW0_drLMVQk3u3Nyt_chLyc4docTNACLcBGAsYHQ/w800-h534/aaa%2BEpipactis%2Bhelleborine%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">And one of the Heath Speedwells I found in flower as well.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Veronica officinalis</i> <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abcxWQtzfLg/X0VpTAABGoI/AAAAAAAAPMA/5Oj-hnZf5nIS9Frsyh6wKwHXE05A1-lUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BHeath%2BSpeedwell%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abcxWQtzfLg/X0VpTAABGoI/AAAAAAAAPMA/5Oj-hnZf5nIS9Frsyh6wKwHXE05A1-lUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BHeath%2BSpeedwell%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Heath Bedstraw flowers (below) are so small that they don't usually get photographed. It's only found on more acidic soils.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Galium saxatile</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aBohD4tgxw/X0Vl_tmG7wI/AAAAAAAAPKk/3OdpRFUyiBMNbJDSpHpAH04YPKnLJMluwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BGalium%2Bsaxatile%2BHeath%2BBedstraw%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aBohD4tgxw/X0Vl_tmG7wI/AAAAAAAAPKk/3OdpRFUyiBMNbJDSpHpAH04YPKnLJMluwCLcBGAsYHQ/w534-h800/aaa%2BGalium%2Bsaxatile%2BHeath%2BBedstraw%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Some views of the woodland path follow.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCxpI6_P6Ig/X0VmeOo7TdI/AAAAAAAAPKs/zIRbUw_R5UQL64dvuwBHhq3d9pcMtOWjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHempsted%2BForest%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="534" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCxpI6_P6Ig/X0VmeOo7TdI/AAAAAAAAPKs/zIRbUw_R5UQL64dvuwBHhq3d9pcMtOWjwCLcBGAsYHQ/w800-h534/aaa%2BHempsted%2BForest%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdWp1HgIdQA/X0VmeGDB7AI/AAAAAAAAPKw/memwG5rF6bUoVJD63exiOTjWTY8BoV7pACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BHemstead%2BForest%2BTQ8135%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdWp1HgIdQA/X0VmeGDB7AI/AAAAAAAAPKw/memwG5rF6bUoVJD63exiOTjWTY8BoV7pACLcBGAsYHQ/w534-h800/aaa%2BHemstead%2BForest%2BTQ8135%2B130620.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3rugk962bE/X0VmeKHBLdI/AAAAAAAAPK0/wNgHK72wLe8E3nUr_dxkCUHx-7cD3qBEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHemstead%2BForest%2BTQ8135%2B130620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="534" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3rugk962bE/X0VmeKHBLdI/AAAAAAAAPK0/wNgHK72wLe8E3nUr_dxkCUHx-7cD3qBEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w800-h534/aaa%2BHemstead%2BForest%2BTQ8135%2B130620a.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The impressive flowers of the wild and native Tutsan plant, not to be confused with the garden form "Rose of Sharon" which is similar).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Hypericum androsaemum</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgrHYIGrT_M/X0VmsIzOlpI/AAAAAAAAPK8/bOKaX9RdUbwgNyreLtz0wV7IA1RKszArwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHypericum%2Bandrosaemum%2BTutsan%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgrHYIGrT_M/X0VmsIzOlpI/AAAAAAAAPK8/bOKaX9RdUbwgNyreLtz0wV7IA1RKszArwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BHypericum%2Bandrosaemum%2BTutsan%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmRb7cpBhOE/X0VmsG66s7I/AAAAAAAAPK4/eJo0OUNrtkYpfGMOGnRZ__GGs5kWYWjVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BHypericum%2Bandrosaemum%2BTutsan%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmRb7cpBhOE/X0VmsG66s7I/AAAAAAAAPK4/eJo0OUNrtkYpfGMOGnRZ__GGs5kWYWjVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BHypericum%2Bandrosaemum%2BTutsan%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil is often the dominant Trefoil in damp woodlands on mildly acidic soils as proved here too. There was no Common Birdsfoot Trefoil to be found anywhere, probably too acidic for their liking.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lotus pedunculatus</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92rxzNJ3Fc0/X0Vnleo3ywI/AAAAAAAAPLg/TE4bEhPWJu0mJyyzNOvKXimxLB6s1fptwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BLotus%2Bpedunculatus%2BGreater%2BBirdsfoot%2BTrefoil%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92rxzNJ3Fc0/X0Vnleo3ywI/AAAAAAAAPLg/TE4bEhPWJu0mJyyzNOvKXimxLB6s1fptwCLcBGAsYHQ/w534-h800/aaa%2BLotus%2Bpedunculatus%2BGreater%2BBirdsfoot%2BTrefoil%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">This is the hybrid between Creeping Cinquefoil and most likely Tormentil. It is told apart by its 4 and 5 petalled flowers and lack of fruits. It's leaves are also a mixture from the parents. I have found it in several places in Kent.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Potentilla anglica or erecta x reptans = P. x mixta s.l.</i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QgLVNIt0EA/X0VnvUKg_bI/AAAAAAAAPLk/_ZRj4GJBDmoaOp5RJB0DzMpVASgRKnK1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BP%2Bx%2Bmixta%2BHybrid%2BCinquefoil%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QgLVNIt0EA/X0VnvUKg_bI/AAAAAAAAPLk/_ZRj4GJBDmoaOp5RJB0DzMpVASgRKnK1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BP%2Bx%2Bmixta%2BHybrid%2BCinquefoil%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Below is Lesser Spearwort, a Kent RPR species, looks like a tall, straggly buttercup, it's closely related to them.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Rannunculus flammula</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-JtG6xYH8s/X0VobyQOp1I/AAAAAAAAPLw/NswdSQWqzlQ5QCm-OhY8kQhVDo0oYtl2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Bflammula%2BLesser%2BSpearwort%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-JtG6xYH8s/X0VobyQOp1I/AAAAAAAAPLw/NswdSQWqzlQ5QCm-OhY8kQhVDo0oYtl2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BRanunculus%2Bflammula%2BLesser%2BSpearwort%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Brooklime is a Speedwell one usually associates with water - a stream edge or river bank perhaps, but I have been finding it in damp woodlands too, such as here, nowhere near water.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Veronica beccabunga</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6TI-Kdvy1ts/X0Vo4GL5ZbI/AAAAAAAAPL4/cdrFIRYx9D8hGaRF6SiltcqvNtmL8t60gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bbeccabunga%2BBrooklime%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6TI-Kdvy1ts/X0Vo4GL5ZbI/AAAAAAAAPL4/cdrFIRYx9D8hGaRF6SiltcqvNtmL8t60gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bbeccabunga%2BBrooklime%2BTQ8134%2BGoddards%2BGreen%2B130620a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">That was it for the woods which took around 2 hours to walk. I recommend walking it as it's diverse and big enough to easily social distance too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">From here we drove to Greatstone on the coast not too far away.</p><p style="text-align: center;">There are many alien and non native plants here and perhaps the most showy is the Broad-Leaved Everlasting Pea. This is a common garden escape throughout Kent.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lathyrus latifolius </i><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQZb-kb_ABo/X0VqLuBUK0I/AAAAAAAAPMI/_Eh6vg4O4XMjE41D8QPBng7A98zaORo5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BLathyrus%2Blatifolius%2BBroad%2BLvd%2BEverlasting%2BPea%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQZb-kb_ABo/X0VqLuBUK0I/AAAAAAAAPMI/_Eh6vg4O4XMjE41D8QPBng7A98zaORo5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w668-h1000/aaa%2BLathyrus%2Blatifolius%2BBroad%2BLvd%2BEverlasting%2BPea%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620b.jpg" width="668" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">A plant one woould not expect to find crawling around the shingle was Honeysuckle. I usually find this in woodlands in which it is very common, but it seems it's ok on bare shingle too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lonicera periclymenum</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9x4sft259k/X0Vqqwxr0BI/AAAAAAAAPMQ/OlQzI8HlHH8ghK2wwXa2LTBaefnMHXcxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BLonicera%2Bpericlymenum%2BHoneysuckle%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="800" height="581" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9x4sft259k/X0Vqqwxr0BI/AAAAAAAAPMQ/OlQzI8HlHH8ghK2wwXa2LTBaefnMHXcxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w800-h581/aaa%2BLonicera%2Bpericlymenum%2BHoneysuckle%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Toothed Medick is a very small flowered clover which is a Kent RPR species. I found it here on a pavement crack. It's mainly found in coastal areas. The stipule is the most important part to identify it and it should be "laciniate" or extremely jagged. Look at the photo below by the leaf junction with the main stalk to see the stipules.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Medicago polymorpha<br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42-uNBqMWcY/X0VrTBo0S_I/AAAAAAAAPMg/yywP1lmIWS8rWPtfa9tY-lfwBlR-PI5bACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BMedicago%2Bpolymorpha%2BToothed%2BMedick%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42-uNBqMWcY/X0VrTBo0S_I/AAAAAAAAPMg/yywP1lmIWS8rWPtfa9tY-lfwBlR-PI5bACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BMedicago%2Bpolymorpha%2BToothed%2BMedick%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Poppies germinate on disturbed ground and shingle is easily disturbed, so there's usualy a few to be found here.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Papaver rhoeas</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-QIhnF28xM/X0Vr1qQpgMI/AAAAAAAAPMo/9qvRGl5_E2Eak7zSyhL75mtR8artWHgOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/aaa%2BPapaver%2Brhoeas%2BCommon%2BPoppy%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-QIhnF28xM/X0Vr1qQpgMI/AAAAAAAAPMo/9qvRGl5_E2Eak7zSyhL75mtR8artWHgOACLcBGAsYHQ/w534-h800/aaa%2BPapaver%2Brhoeas%2BCommon%2BPoppy%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">My last photo here was of Biting Stonecrop (yellow) with the much larger blue flowers of Viper's Bugloss behind it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Sedum acre</i> and<i> Echium vulgare</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NdfTsLsp0sQ/X0VsHHgVtrI/AAAAAAAAPMw/gbQZ_RQvIc0FSd4BZKf5eX8SRlBjG-zeACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/aaa%2BSedum%2Bacre%2BBiting%2BStonecrop%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NdfTsLsp0sQ/X0VsHHgVtrI/AAAAAAAAPMw/gbQZ_RQvIc0FSd4BZKf5eX8SRlBjG-zeACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BSedum%2Bacre%2BBiting%2BStonecrop%2BTR0820%2BLade%2B130620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>That's all, two very varied habitats visited on the same day out with completely different floras, I hope you enjoyed it.</p><p><br /></p><p>Regards</p><p>Dave</p><p>@Barbus59<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-4282838172091642632020-07-06T18:56:00.001+00:002020-07-06T18:56:40.083+00:00Early June Botany in North Kent<div>I thought it might make a change to enjoy a selection of plants from more than one trip in one blog. It will give you a flavour of what there is to be found at the beginning of June following on from a long drought in May.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1ASY895l-w/XwNlCs_r28I/AAAAAAAAO68/G4ptCcW1LU4qHL74QCC0yDmpPqQOFBYfwCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BCrepis%2Bvesicaria%2BBeaked%2BHawksbeard%2Bfasciated%2BTQ5364%2BEynsford%2BStation%2B020620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1ASY895l-w/XwNlCs_r28I/AAAAAAAAO68/G4ptCcW1LU4qHL74QCC0yDmpPqQOFBYfwCK4BGAsYHg/w419-h625/aaa%2BCrepis%2Bvesicaria%2BBeaked%2BHawksbeard%2Bfasciated%2BTQ5364%2BEynsford%2BStation%2B020620a.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Beaked Hawksbeard is the earliest Hawkbeard to flower, making it easy to get one's eye in for it, before numerous look alikes appear.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, this one was a massive fasciated plant with a mind boggling amount of flowers.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Field edge near Eynsford.</div><div></div><div>What a monster!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Crepis vesicaria<br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqPtht1NoLY/XwNlDmqon3I/AAAAAAAAO7A/XWmusa2NrPoF7jhXYJMaoa0xDQii-qdlgCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BCrepis%2Bvesicaria%2BBeaked%2BHawksbeard%2BTQ5364%2BEynsford%2BStation%2B020620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="976" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqPtht1NoLY/XwNlDmqon3I/AAAAAAAAO7A/XWmusa2NrPoF7jhXYJMaoa0xDQii-qdlgCK4BGAsYHg/w655-h976/aaa%2BCrepis%2Bvesicaria%2BBeaked%2BHawksbeard%2BTQ5364%2BEynsford%2BStation%2B020620.jpg" width="655" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Found nearby was this Fumitory. I thought it would be interesting to include this to show you what you need to consider to start identifying them. The size of the flowers and sepals are important.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzD37XcxdL4/XwNl0wJ80oI/AAAAAAAAO7g/ctYWFSYo6KUPNL2hGueEwKgK3dIoBMjAACK4BGAsYHg/s800/aaa%2BFumaria%2Bofficinalis%2Bssp%2Bwirtgenii%2Bvar%2Bminor%2BCommon%2BFumitory%2BTQ5464%2BChalkhurst%2BEynsford%2B020620f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="524" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzD37XcxdL4/XwNl0wJ80oI/AAAAAAAAO7g/ctYWFSYo6KUPNL2hGueEwKgK3dIoBMjAACK4BGAsYHg/w781-h524/aaa%2BFumaria%2Bofficinalis%2Bssp%2Bwirtgenii%2Bvar%2Bminor%2BCommon%2BFumitory%2BTQ5464%2BChalkhurst%2BEynsford%2B020620f.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I find Broomrapes are fascinating and there are several species in the UK to find. They parasitise other plants. Some are very particular as to which (so are rare as a result) others attach themselves to pretty much any plant nearby, like this Common Broomrape. They are usually an off purple/lilac colour, so this yellow form is a welcome change. It might be <i>var. flava</i> but I await an impending paper from renowned botanists Fred Rumsey and Chris Thorogood to help me decide!</div><div>Again, found near Eynsford.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Orobanche minor</i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3W7oH5l2w4/XwNmlwxGNMI/AAAAAAAAO70/-jF3Cpl9SE4MT80sXrRQqZ8qMNUeOoZ8gCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bminor%2BSsp%2Bminor%2Bvar%2Bflava%2BCommon%2BBroomrape%2Byellow%2Bform%2BTQ5464%2BChalkhurst%2BEynsford%2B020620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="976" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3W7oH5l2w4/XwNmlwxGNMI/AAAAAAAAO70/-jF3Cpl9SE4MT80sXrRQqZ8qMNUeOoZ8gCK4BGAsYHg/w655-h976/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bminor%2BSsp%2Bminor%2Bvar%2Bflava%2BCommon%2BBroomrape%2Byellow%2Bform%2BTQ5464%2BChalkhurst%2BEynsford%2B020620.jpg" width="655" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 240px; text-align: left;">Anyone for a liquorice?</div><div style="margin-left: 240px; text-align: left;"><i>Astragalus glycyphyllos</i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6o2LreQcV4/XwNndHUxcsI/AAAAAAAAO8Q/Wdftn_CIQ0YbIi1y_O_LJCKahahYZrnzACK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6969%2BPark%2BPale%2B060620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6o2LreQcV4/XwNndHUxcsI/AAAAAAAAO8Q/Wdftn_CIQ0YbIi1y_O_LJCKahahYZrnzACK4BGAsYHg/w524-h781/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6969%2BPark%2BPale%2B060620.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Although this is called Wild Liquorice is isn't the same as what used to be used for making the sweets. However, it's an interesting Pea Family plant and I come across it from time to time in north Kent. This (and many more) were at Park Pale by the A2 east of Shorne country park.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6qVCQE48Ak/XwNnpiAu5VI/AAAAAAAAO8c/01_jooX5iJsT7v6PKidTqSeCYXtC5ZR1gCK4BGAsYHg/s800/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6969%2BPark%2BPale%2B060620b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="524" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6qVCQE48Ak/XwNnpiAu5VI/AAAAAAAAO8c/01_jooX5iJsT7v6PKidTqSeCYXtC5ZR1gCK4BGAsYHg/w781-h524/aaa%2BAstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6969%2BPark%2BPale%2B060620b.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is one of Kent's other amazing Broomrapes, this time at Bluewater. It's Ivy Broomrape and you can see its host all around it. It's present in several urban areas around me including East Hill Dartford, London Rd Stone and behind the church/McDonald's at Greenhithe as a few examples. Given the amount of Ivy all over the county it should be present everywhere too. I don't know why it is confined to the small area of north Kent and a few other isolated areas elsewhere.<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 280px; text-align: left;"><i>Orobanche hederae</i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-rRlVYNhtQ/XwNoXxZbxQI/AAAAAAAAO80/MpZOnVzenAI63v645bQnOZMS4sB3cHsogCK4BGAsYHg/s800/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bhederae%2BIvy%2BBroomrape%2BTQ5773%2BBluewater%2Bwest%2B060620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="524" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-rRlVYNhtQ/XwNoXxZbxQI/AAAAAAAAO80/MpZOnVzenAI63v645bQnOZMS4sB3cHsogCK4BGAsYHg/w781-h524/aaa%2BOrobanche%2Bhederae%2BIvy%2BBroomrape%2BTQ5773%2BBluewater%2Bwest%2B060620.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MX-5Taujrq0/XwNpEchMn6I/AAAAAAAAO9g/DC1fBE6QlDIod49zDY1bxNMYD7a-YQMjgCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bvar%2Bchlorantha%2BTR1135%2BLympne%2Bwest%2B070620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MX-5Taujrq0/XwNpEchMn6I/AAAAAAAAO9g/DC1fBE6QlDIod49zDY1bxNMYD7a-YQMjgCK4BGAsYHg/w419-h625/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bvar%2Bchlorantha%2BTR1135%2BLympne%2Bwest%2B070620.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, early June is the time for Bee Orchids and following a tip from fellow botanists I set out to the hills above the Romney Marsh to find these special variants.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>They are:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ophrys apifera var. chlorantha </i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This type lacks the usual red pigment (though I can see a tiny hint of red on the base), but it's close enough. Otherwise the nearest of this type to me are at Rye in East Sussex.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yncQfTTDmSg/XwNpFUYM4DI/AAAAAAAAO9k/cu1qEa7dGf0yN_FvAp0GMQ1D8H2vbqQ5wCK4BGAsYHg/s800/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bvar%2Bchlorantha%2BTR1135%2BLympne%2Bwest%2B070620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="520" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yncQfTTDmSg/XwNpFUYM4DI/AAAAAAAAO9k/cu1qEa7dGf0yN_FvAp0GMQ1D8H2vbqQ5wCK4BGAsYHg/w781-h520/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bvar%2Bchlorantha%2BTR1135%2BLympne%2Bwest%2B070620a.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 120px; text-align: left;">Following weeks of bone dry weather it actually rained hard this day!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQcE52vBvOo/XwNpGQHcteI/AAAAAAAAO9o/Ire36gL7CBsxaKVTSIOXgr4mrnyhwer3gCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bvar%2Bchlorantha%2BTR1135%2BLympne%2Bwest%2B070620f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="976" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQcE52vBvOo/XwNpGQHcteI/AAAAAAAAO9o/Ire36gL7CBsxaKVTSIOXgr4mrnyhwer3gCK4BGAsYHg/w655-h976/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2Bvar%2Bchlorantha%2BTR1135%2BLympne%2Bwest%2B070620f.jpg" width="655" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;">Below is an uncommon plant. It's the fodder form of Common Vetch</div><div style="margin-left: 240px; text-align: left;"><i>Vicia sativa ssp. sativa</i></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;">Found near to the above Bee Orchids, presumably a crop relict from long ago.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MlBsua87f3k/XwNqJGbC-uI/AAAAAAAAO-I/0ZZcAjZ8pPIvNiqziVgp5HKkpdh8NSwmACK4BGAsYHg/s800/aaa%2BVicia%2Bsativa%2BSsp%2Bsativa%2BCommon%2BVetch%2BTR1135%2BLympne%2Bwest%2B070620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MlBsua87f3k/XwNqJGbC-uI/AAAAAAAAO-I/0ZZcAjZ8pPIvNiqziVgp5HKkpdh8NSwmACK4BGAsYHg/w500-h335/aaa%2BVicia%2Bsativa%2BSsp%2Bsativa%2BCommon%2BVetch%2BTR1135%2BLympne%2Bwest%2B070620.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NGvLtI1tns/XwNqrfcQReI/AAAAAAAAO-k/2jJPhmowUJQ22nq6B2MGx5vTaKrrEWn1ACK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BGenista%2Btinctoria%2BDyers%2BGreenweed%2BTQ6068%2BRectory%2BMeadow%2B080620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NGvLtI1tns/XwNqrfcQReI/AAAAAAAAO-k/2jJPhmowUJQ22nq6B2MGx5vTaKrrEWn1ACK4BGAsYHg/w419-h625/aaa%2BGenista%2Btinctoria%2BDyers%2BGreenweed%2BTQ6068%2BRectory%2BMeadow%2B080620a.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Closer to home is Rectory Meadow, Longfield. A tiny area of ancient chalk meadow with much of it scrubbed over. One of the gems it contains is a good amount of Dyer's Greenweed as shown here.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Genista tinctoria</i></div><div><br /></div><div>It only grows up to a foot tall here, and half that is usual and it shares that turf with an even rarer plant, Slender Bedstraw. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any of that plant in flower though.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nearby is a Kent WIldlife Trust roadside nature reserve which has pretty much scrubbed over. However, above it is an old people's home and a bit of lawn. Fortunately this lawn hadn't been mowed for a couple of weeks and I found around 10 Bee Orchids there in their usual colours of course. Nature doesn't need much from us, a couple of weeks off the mowing and voila!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Ophrys apifera</i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rz_rvSZfRos/XwNs7Qz4vCI/AAAAAAAAPAE/wUuEbE9uNNYO5ngWZ07ivC0oAny8Uy9LACK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2BTQ60206877%2BPark%2BDrive%2BHartley%2B080620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rz_rvSZfRos/XwNs7Qz4vCI/AAAAAAAAPAE/wUuEbE9uNNYO5ngWZ07ivC0oAny8Uy9LACK4BGAsYHg/w524-h781/aaa%2BOphrys%2Bapifera%2BTQ60206877%2BPark%2BDrive%2BHartley%2B080620.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy-jHdJKKCA/XwNsbUbG8vI/AAAAAAAAO_s/fybibcd9McUkLKFhaZTzS-E8p7MrNb4YwCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2Bstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6969%2BPark%2BPale%2B060620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy-jHdJKKCA/XwNsbUbG8vI/AAAAAAAAO_s/fybibcd9McUkLKFhaZTzS-E8p7MrNb4YwCK4BGAsYHg/w335-h500/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2Bstragalus%2Bglycyphyllos%2BWild%2BLiquorice%2BTQ6969%2BPark%2BPale%2B060620.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcBt8vxFbls/XwNr98rVB9I/AAAAAAAAO_Q/JcE8OKt04hQI77i3ruBfQh45wLbQ45eWwCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BTQ7758%2BBoxley%2BRd%2B110620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcBt8vxFbls/XwNr98rVB9I/AAAAAAAAO_Q/JcE8OKt04hQI77i3ruBfQh45wLbQ45eWwCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BAnacamptis%2Bpyramidalis%2BTQ7758%2BBoxley%2BRd%2B110620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"></a></div><div>Early June is also the time for the thousands of Pyramidal Orchids to begin to open too. They particularly like the road verges of north Kent chalk and are very common on most main roads where scrub is kept down.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Anacamptis pyramidalis</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLpujdmwk7E/XwNujMZtx7I/AAAAAAAAPBU/zFrd8viKjHAFHm8BhpJdYN6Z0U1eDHhrgCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2Bdead%2Bfrom%2Bdrought%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLpujdmwk7E/XwNujMZtx7I/AAAAAAAAPBU/zFrd8viKjHAFHm8BhpJdYN6Z0U1eDHhrgCK4BGAsYHg/w335-h500/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2Bdead%2Bfrom%2Bdrought%2BTQ5969%2BLongfield%2B170620.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In 2019 I stumbled on a Lizard Orchid local to me, the first since 1921 in the Dartford area. How unfortunate then that in its second year it tried to flower and became a victim of the May drought where it failed to rain for five weeks. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope it has sufficient resevres to flower again within a year or two, but if not, at least I have recorded it there so that in 2119 someone can say "Wow look at this, it's been a century since it was last found here".</div><div>Although in reality it will probably be a part of London and built on by then.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I consoled myself with a 20 mile trip to see some roadside Lizards instead.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_jIJ__diJE/XwNtfOfLXtI/AAAAAAAAPAs/Gc_wmag4nMURT2u8OavYEdXB324t0NqqwCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ7758%2BBoxley%2BRd%2B110620a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_jIJ__diJE/XwNtfOfLXtI/AAAAAAAAPAs/Gc_wmag4nMURT2u8OavYEdXB324t0NqqwCK4BGAsYHg/w524-h781/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ7758%2BBoxley%2BRd%2B110620a.jpg" width="524" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div>My final offering was the above wonderful lovely Lizard Orchids, which conveniently pop up on a main road verge in mid Kent not too far away. I'm surprised they/re not called the Goat Wee Orchid as they are supposed to smell of it. Never having sniffed goat urine, I have no idea if this is true.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Himantoglossum hircinum</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i></i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A few years ago there were over 100 but now the count was around 20 or so and the verge was seriously scrubbing over. They will be lost by 2030 if action isn't taken soon. Scrubbing over is one of the biggest threats to face chalk orchids and wildflowers. Neglect destroys as many habitats as does building houses and roads does combined (no source, just my gut feeling). In fact, the latter tends to create new habitats for a few years at least.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDnbtrlsKGc/XwNzw_XIKOI/AAAAAAAAPB0/BNDHcz5RL_8_85RUGFH449uuUyB_E5-FwCK4BGAsYHg/s1200/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ7758%2BBoxley%2BRd%2B110620d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDnbtrlsKGc/XwNzw_XIKOI/AAAAAAAAPB0/BNDHcz5RL_8_85RUGFH449uuUyB_E5-FwCK4BGAsYHg/w520-h781/aaa%2BHimantoglossum%2Bhircinum%2BTQ7758%2BBoxley%2BRd%2B110620d.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>June is a great time for wildlfowers so get out and about, even if only down your street and see what you can find.</div><div><br /></div><div>Take care</div><div>Dave</div><div>Twitter: @Barbus59<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-29043331708061091342020-06-06T20:55:00.010+00:002023-03-29T23:07:15.782+00:00Lesser Butterflies in West Kent - 25/05/20Unfortunately I have to keep this venue secret as it's mainly about Lesser Butterfly Orchids and they are now gone from all of West Kent except this one venue. So, to protect them from theft or inadvertent trampling, I will keep this blog generalised in regards to location.<br />
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All of this was unbeknown to me as I headed out for a relatively local walk in the West Kent downland. I didn't even know Lesser Butterfly Orchids were even found in West Kent so I hardly expected to find any. In fact the purpose of choosing this venue to explore was some 10 years old records for Fly and Man Orchids and some older records for Birds Nest Orchids, so I hoped to re-find some of these.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEBud5ZxxgM/Xtv5fyEJ38I/AAAAAAAAOzk/zL0f-5bVPr4KNg0YN2QbLwlY5R9ofjlBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BHabitat%2Bunder%2BYew%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEBud5ZxxgM/Xtv5fyEJ38I/AAAAAAAAOzk/zL0f-5bVPr4KNg0YN2QbLwlY5R9ofjlBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BHabitat%2Bunder%2BYew%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a long walk uphill from the car to this wood, but I eventually got there. It was a hot day too, around 25 degrees and the walk made me perspire. As I walked along a narrow overgrown path I spotted something down a slope. From a distance it looked a bit like a Star of Bethlehem or perhaps an Allium, but I stopped and looked for a while (my eyes aren't as good as the camera's) and I pondered as to whether to go down a steep slope for a look as I would have to clamber back up again and I was already tired!<br />
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It only took a few steps down the slope for me to realise I was looking at a Butterfly Orchid. The excitement mounted, even Greater Butterfly Orchids were not common.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft9TfuVTMko/Xtv7CIGn8KI/AAAAAAAAOzs/YcZ0xFhHRNs8g0zzJAMHmSDORI3Jp2fOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft9TfuVTMko/Xtv7CIGn8KI/AAAAAAAAOzs/YcZ0xFhHRNs8g0zzJAMHmSDORI3Jp2fOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I got down low to it, being careful that there weren't any other plants I might trample in doing so and was amazed to find the pollinia were parallel, thus showing this to be a Lesser Butterfly Orchid.<br />
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<i>Platanthera bifolia</i><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dxo3CJ3BYdk/Xtv7aIaOJyI/AAAAAAAAOz4/AAeMrEuzHmEcOAGER3NahArPoHQUL7tDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520c.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dxo3CJ3BYdk/Xtv7aIaOJyI/AAAAAAAAOz4/AAeMrEuzHmEcOAGER3NahArPoHQUL7tDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520c.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here's a photo of the whole plant. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcBBJsQr2_Y/Xtv7aBe3mZI/AAAAAAAAOz0/hXO-R6yMgrY32PKL171PGo9I8iFL_viDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520d.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcBBJsQr2_Y/Xtv7aBe3mZI/AAAAAAAAOz0/hXO-R6yMgrY32PKL171PGo9I8iFL_viDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520d.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-ke_ExnYlg/Xtv7aaB-NGI/AAAAAAAAOz8/xDCHHm_Z6qAIvZsJfzImDhfOXndiOuVIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520e.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-ke_ExnYlg/Xtv7aaB-NGI/AAAAAAAAOz8/xDCHHm_Z6qAIvZsJfzImDhfOXndiOuVIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520e.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I then found more plants as my eyes adjusted to the gloom. These are normally found under Beechwoods, but here, on the steep scarp slope of this hill, Yew dominated. This evergreen tree cuts out a large percentage of sunlight, meaning that even in sunny conditions like this day, it was dull and gloomy underneath the foliage. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQTS4EYnnEY/Xtv7bK20DNI/AAAAAAAAO0A/LD_cumKbgQwq8tYFszocOCRuNaH5Z4RBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520f.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQTS4EYnnEY/Xtv7bK20DNI/AAAAAAAAO0A/LD_cumKbgQwq8tYFszocOCRuNaH5Z4RBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Look at the size of this plant with over 30 open flowers and massive basal leaves (caused by the gloomy conditions no doubt).<br />
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In total I found 5 flowering plants and four non flowering rosettes.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ATo5bkdI6o/Xtv9PrdlQJI/AAAAAAAAO0Q/ImpT8Hg2PhEKzDBPVFgcmgqCmBbIQtklgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520h.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ATo5bkdI6o/Xtv9PrdlQJI/AAAAAAAAO0Q/ImpT8Hg2PhEKzDBPVFgcmgqCmBbIQtklgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520h.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocG2qZwtyAk/Xtv9PpJAUAI/AAAAAAAAO0M/rkqyVI-0B1Eq9oH1wv03pSQDZ8xrs9jHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520i.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocG2qZwtyAk/Xtv9PpJAUAI/AAAAAAAAO0M/rkqyVI-0B1Eq9oH1wv03pSQDZ8xrs9jHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520i.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I later found out that only 3 plants had previously been seen in this wood and this was at the other end of it almost a kilometre away, so it was a significant discovery nonetheless.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxzdAsc8RIo/Xtv9woND2AI/AAAAAAAAO0Y/8cjt8ORbyVQblCnzJ75J5mPBtS7Sja0KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BHabitat%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520d.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxzdAsc8RIo/Xtv9woND2AI/AAAAAAAAO0Y/8cjt8ORbyVQblCnzJ75J5mPBtS7Sja0KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/aaa%2BHabitat%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520d.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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A couple more habitat photos showing how dark it was there and as a result how little vegetative competition there was for the orchids. It seems they don't like much competition.<br />
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Look hard, there's Lesser Butterfly Orchids in both photos.<br />
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Much of the rest of the wood was a mess of unmanaged brambles or carpets of Dog Mercury and Ivy. Under the Yew trees was about the only area free of vegetation in the whole wood. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4rxde2IfJI/Xtv9wv8CKsI/AAAAAAAAO0c/SY1-lZN0AbUGxdjst3BkS4quTjcLfUwsACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BHabitat%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2Bunder%2BYew%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4rxde2IfJI/Xtv9wv8CKsI/AAAAAAAAO0c/SY1-lZN0AbUGxdjst3BkS4quTjcLfUwsACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BHabitat%2BPlatanthera%2Bbifolia%2Bunder%2BYew%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2BEast%2BHill%2B250520a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I added extra records for species such as White Helleborine and this Man Orchid, another giant in the heavy shade.</div>
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<i>Orchis anthropophora</i></div>
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It was so dark here I had to use a flash. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pg0aN1T4w_Q/Xtv-kg6PztI/AAAAAAAAO0o/8875GM4KbPcywn96E7KdjlbfBQHIImiQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BOrchis%2Banthropophora%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2B250520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pg0aN1T4w_Q/Xtv-kg6PztI/AAAAAAAAO0o/8875GM4KbPcywn96E7KdjlbfBQHIImiQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BOrchis%2Banthropophora%2BTQ5662%2BHigh%2BCastle%2BWood%2B250520.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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On the way up/down the hill to this wood, I photographed some other plants too. Here's a few of them.</div>
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Welted Thistle</div>
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<i>Carduus crispus </i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T49FvFKqddc/Xtv_EUJsIiI/AAAAAAAAO0w/JIDydhifomQFxFHJlPenlvkx7GJF6LCYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bcrispus%2BWelted%2BThistle%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T49FvFKqddc/Xtv_EUJsIiI/AAAAAAAAO0w/JIDydhifomQFxFHJlPenlvkx7GJF6LCYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BCarduus%2Bcrispus%2BWelted%2BThistle%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Common Poppy</div>
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<i>Papaver rhoeas</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCJI4IXbvQA/Xtv_ZDg-yaI/AAAAAAAAO1A/tJa9FEZInfcuPRnVYWJ0RXCYJFRZxp91QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BPapaver%2Brhoeas%2BCommon%2BPoppy%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCJI4IXbvQA/Xtv_ZDg-yaI/AAAAAAAAO1A/tJa9FEZInfcuPRnVYWJ0RXCYJFRZxp91QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BPapaver%2Brhoeas%2BCommon%2BPoppy%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Scarlet Pimpernel</div>
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<i>Lysimachia arvensis f. arvensis </i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLSc3Ne9oec/Xtv_eg8iqnI/AAAAAAAAO1E/xZ6f_Rhbw5UtJsfalTtDk0CcpuMtNS_7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Barvensis%2Bf%2Barvensis%2BScarlet%2BPimpernel%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLSc3Ne9oec/Xtv_eg8iqnI/AAAAAAAAO1E/xZ6f_Rhbw5UtJsfalTtDk0CcpuMtNS_7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BLysimachia%2Barvensis%2Bf%2Barvensis%2BScarlet%2BPimpernel%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Field Rose</div>
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<i>Rosa arvensis</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Weq24hFeNq4/Xtv_r9qUakI/AAAAAAAAO1I/cB2k-x20JMs9-zM1ih49EAUbXroKSz2RgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BRosa%2Barvensis%2BField%2BRose%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Weq24hFeNq4/Xtv_r9qUakI/AAAAAAAAO1I/cB2k-x20JMs9-zM1ih49EAUbXroKSz2RgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BRosa%2Barvensis%2BField%2BRose%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Smooth Sowthistle</div>
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<i>Sonchus oleraceus</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du7G_Dw69Uo/Xtv_3WXaPfI/AAAAAAAAO1M/f9oaQCEx3gs8YnGP4x4B7PjarHgh9nfhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BSonchus%2Boleraceus%2BSmooth%2BSowthistle%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du7G_Dw69Uo/Xtv_3WXaPfI/AAAAAAAAO1M/f9oaQCEx3gs8YnGP4x4B7PjarHgh9nfhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BSonchus%2Boleraceus%2BSmooth%2BSowthistle%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some views.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Nnd3KU_m5U/XtwACrazvWI/AAAAAAAAO1Y/ZaSbIRaY0CMOnU31frn1uusZriiWqk9qACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BView%2Bfrom%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Nnd3KU_m5U/XtwACrazvWI/AAAAAAAAO1Y/ZaSbIRaY0CMOnU31frn1uusZriiWqk9qACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BView%2Bfrom%2BTQ5663%2BWest%2BKingsdown%2B250520b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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An amazing day, though I completely failed to re-find the old records preciously mentioned at the start of this blog, but this was more than made up for by the Lesser Butterflies and I revelled in their splendour for quite some time before leaving for home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">POSTSCRIPT <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On 31st May 2020 my partner and I took a long walk near Meopham (pronounced Meppum) in Kent and came across few Greater Butterfly Orchids in flower. I thought I would add the photos here so you can compare them to the Lesser Butterfly Orchids shown above.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Platanthera chlorantha</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjK1wCiWJss/Xu-tiQ3KoEI/AAAAAAAAO3o/HQ5TOJKpAHEItjTtgIGeIQQc3o7_RRVwwCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjK1wCiWJss/Xu-tiQ3KoEI/AAAAAAAAO3o/HQ5TOJKpAHEItjTtgIGeIQQc3o7_RRVwwCK4BGAsYHg/w428-h640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7HaRk6pXwE/Xu-tjSj0-cI/AAAAAAAAO3s/b7RgWzMzRJEq_j725IlJKQUdmtO_jMjqwCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7HaRk6pXwE/Xu-tjSj0-cI/AAAAAAAAO3s/b7RgWzMzRJEq_j725IlJKQUdmtO_jMjqwCK4BGAsYHg/w428-h640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSCAaS6S15c/Xu-tkC4GXGI/AAAAAAAAO3w/vMGYkpuoIG8550BT-C5TlBqS3VVAecuOQCK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSCAaS6S15c/Xu-tkC4GXGI/AAAAAAAAO3w/vMGYkpuoIG8550BT-C5TlBqS3VVAecuOQCK4BGAsYHg/w428-h640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520c.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0W9O-6l-0g/Xu-tk0eHlQI/AAAAAAAAO30/6PYm3_C8oaMTizNYhx0fleqZaQnvOPjtACK4BGAsYHg/s1199/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0W9O-6l-0g/Xu-tk0eHlQI/AAAAAAAAO30/6PYm3_C8oaMTizNYhx0fleqZaQnvOPjtACK4BGAsYHg/w428-h640/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520e.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_sW9UCbGPY/Xu-tlhGbADI/AAAAAAAAO34/6vTHDHHHuPUdONFrGhR30KTN0zg9wdkEQCK4BGAsYHg/s800/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520L.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_sW9UCbGPY/Xu-tlhGbADI/AAAAAAAAO34/6vTHDHHHuPUdONFrGhR30KTN0zg9wdkEQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/aaa%2BPlatanthera%2Bchlorantha%2BTQ6463%2BHerons%2BHill%2B310520L.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Take care, stay safe,</div>
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Dave</div>
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@Barbus59</div>
Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750515399391964037.post-47038854649783168022020-05-31T18:59:00.005+00:002023-03-29T23:13:21.049+00:00TQ5872 Bean, Kent - Surprises near to Bluewater - 23rd to 24th May 2020I don't know why I picked this monad to survey. I had done some of it only last year, so didn't expect to find that much not already found. However, this time, I thought that I would properly explore the piece of Darenth Woods that fell within this square and the adjoining area too. Here's what I found in the woodland part on the first day.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8DSpEelxs_8/XtPy-_hRKOI/AAAAAAAAOwM/RtlOI-kJbiMqgZa2AeD5VByJcY8lDvHFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BBryonia%2Bdioica%2BWhite%2BBryony%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8DSpEelxs_8/XtPy-_hRKOI/AAAAAAAAOwM/RtlOI-kJbiMqgZa2AeD5VByJcY8lDvHFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BBryonia%2Bdioica%2BWhite%2BBryony%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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White Bryony is pretty much everywhere now with its big leaves, coiling tendrils and greenish flowers, there's nothing much else that looks like it.<br />
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It was abundant around the woodland edges. <br />
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<i>Bryonia dioica </i><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5AeO_UIClng/XtPy-_RW7rI/AAAAAAAAOwQ/_8T9EDjtq5c2J-Z1rWguxt3HZsyRN4BNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BBryonia%2Bdioica%2BWhite%2BBryony%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5AeO_UIClng/XtPy-_RW7rI/AAAAAAAAOwQ/_8T9EDjtq5c2J-Z1rWguxt3HZsyRN4BNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BBryonia%2Bdioica%2BWhite%2BBryony%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSWc4hekfuk/XtPy_l35d6I/AAAAAAAAOwY/7GP9Cl9CGYYFtDoq_FoVz4tpPepmBz1IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BCynosurus%2Bechinatus%2BTQ5873%2BBluewater%2Beast%2B230520.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSWc4hekfuk/XtPy_l35d6I/AAAAAAAAOwY/7GP9Cl9CGYYFtDoq_FoVz4tpPepmBz1IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BCynosurus%2Bechinatus%2BTQ5873%2BBluewater%2Beast%2B230520.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This grass was on Watling Street on the northern edge of the woods. It's a one sided spikey looking grass and is called Rough Dog's Tail.<br />
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I later found it in massive amounts on the main road junctions for Bluewater nearby.<br />
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<i> Cynosurus echinatus</i><br />
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There were some lovely displays of Stnking Iris, even in very densely shaded areas under the trees. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X77rvggGoFo/XtPy_0qJcUI/AAAAAAAAOwc/upzCPngW5A0DTxQk7muCbBwlarvtQEoIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BIris%2Bfoetidissima%2BStinking%2BIris%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X77rvggGoFo/XtPy_0qJcUI/AAAAAAAAOwc/upzCPngW5A0DTxQk7muCbBwlarvtQEoIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BIris%2Bfoetidissima%2BStinking%2BIris%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hyYJXCF054o/XtPzAiz0xNI/AAAAAAAAOwg/tIz18iJN3osNF1EWekwWsJqLb6WmM185wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BIris%2Bfoetidissima%2BStinking%2BIris%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hyYJXCF054o/XtPzAiz0xNI/AAAAAAAAOwg/tIz18iJN3osNF1EWekwWsJqLb6WmM185wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BIris%2Bfoetidissima%2BStinking%2BIris%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Iris foetidissima </i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfBKJ_Mt5O0/XtPzBowmakI/AAAAAAAAOwo/HX10UgLLiaUayeJCfYVbJ6j25hp1XjKvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BIris%2Bfoetidissima%2BStinking%2BIris%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfBKJ_Mt5O0/XtPzBowmakI/AAAAAAAAOwo/HX10UgLLiaUayeJCfYVbJ6j25hp1XjKvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BIris%2Bfoetidissima%2BStinking%2BIris%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Field forget me not is a very common plant, but it's not often I see one where all the flowers are pink instead of blue.</div>
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<i>Myosotis arvensis </i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcdukNBvMq0/XtPzCCyBe2I/AAAAAAAAOws/Nz6_XEDK-AsL4O5KZldHrXBO8iU9IM0fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BMyosotis%2Barvensis%2BFirled%2BForget%2Bme%2Bnot%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcdukNBvMq0/XtPzCCyBe2I/AAAAAAAAOws/Nz6_XEDK-AsL4O5KZldHrXBO8iU9IM0fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BMyosotis%2Barvensis%2BFirled%2BForget%2Bme%2Bnot%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLxxHZqZG0s/XtPzCkSUjDI/AAAAAAAAOww/3VOQyt3HwXAXnPKhRng7eXT8KuoW-XiMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bmascula%2B99%2Bspikes%2Bfound%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLxxHZqZG0s/XtPzCkSUjDI/AAAAAAAAOww/3VOQyt3HwXAXnPKhRng7eXT8KuoW-XiMACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/aaa%2BOrchis%2Bmascula%2B99%2Bspikes%2Bfound%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Early Purple Orchids went to seed a few weeks ago so I was very lucky to find one with some flowers still out (though covered in cobwebs). I was even luckier to find a total of 99 spikes in flower or gone to seed as well. Try as I might I couldn't find the 100th spike!<br />
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Oddly, these have not been previously recorded from this monad before.<br />
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<i>Orchis mascula</i><br />
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Bittersweet or Woody Nightshade was also now in flower and found in a typical coppiced area where more light came into the woods.</div>
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<i>Solanum dulcamara</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtHQVnb-l6w/XtPzC0u88xI/AAAAAAAAOw0/-hNaN_EUdGIXwQOQ4_6q3OYhuEBttZLrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BSolanum%2Bdulcamara%2BBittersweet%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtHQVnb-l6w/XtPzC0u88xI/AAAAAAAAOw0/-hNaN_EUdGIXwQOQ4_6q3OYhuEBttZLrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BSolanum%2Bdulcamara%2BBittersweet%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNCf8Dbn8q0/XtPzE33JvQI/AAAAAAAAOxA/bxmYgN0AyAUmfobtguuh1QVqGdnjL18zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BHeath%2BSpeedwell%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520a.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNCf8Dbn8q0/XtPzE33JvQI/AAAAAAAAOxA/bxmYgN0AyAUmfobtguuh1QVqGdnjL18zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BHeath%2BSpeedwell%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It's rare to find Heath Speedwell in north Kent on the chalk, so it was great to find a patch in the same coppiced area as previously mentioned.<br />
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Here, the chalk is covered by a mildly acidic clay cap which covers many hilltops in the area. As you go down the hill, the clay becomes thinner and chalk is exposed, giving rise to acid loving plants on top of the hill and calcareous loving plants down the slopes.<br />
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<i>Veronica officinalis</i><br />
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Its leaves are quite different to most other speedwells as shown below.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDhw6IxP3TM/XtPzEWf_1CI/AAAAAAAAOw8/STn9bsJetbE3rxxICaj0YYbX4L8SOYzKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BHeath%2BSpeedwell%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520L.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDhw6IxP3TM/XtPzEWf_1CI/AAAAAAAAOw8/STn9bsJetbE3rxxICaj0YYbX4L8SOYzKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BVeronica%2Bofficinalis%2BHeath%2BSpeedwell%2BTQ5872%2BDarenth%2BWoods%2B230520L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next day I returned to the same monad but recorded in a completely different part of it. The habitat was mainly road verges and "waste ground", thus the flora was very different to that found in an ancient woodland.</div>
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Wild roses were abundant with most being the common Dog Rose with its familar arching stems, big prickles and large usually white flowers. This one below stood out as different being pink and the flowers were much smaller. A look at the stem revealed bristles and thorns. This is a Sweetbriar rose.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IFuznNfgjI/XtP2QRXxfDI/AAAAAAAAOxg/b0y80J2Oaa427bpB-1P4OO4eOzwHeHpTACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BRosa%2Brubiginosa%2BSweetbriar%2BRose%2BTQ5872%2BBeast%2Bwest%2B240520a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IFuznNfgjI/XtP2QRXxfDI/AAAAAAAAOxg/b0y80J2Oaa427bpB-1P4OO4eOzwHeHpTACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BRosa%2Brubiginosa%2BSweetbriar%2BRose%2BTQ5872%2BBeast%2Bwest%2B240520a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Rose rubiginosa</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KLiEsms6peA/XtP20MJRXzI/AAAAAAAAOxo/zmoEYWrTz8kgczOicbTNQ82Vw8gfnxAswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BRosa%2Brubiginosa%2BSweetbriar%2BRose%2BTQ5872%2BBeast%2Bwest%2B240520b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KLiEsms6peA/XtP20MJRXzI/AAAAAAAAOxo/zmoEYWrTz8kgczOicbTNQ82Vw8gfnxAswCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/aaa%2BRosa%2Brubiginosa%2BSweetbriar%2BRose%2BTQ5872%2BBeast%2Bwest%2B240520b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Uvbk3M89RE/XtP26M38rJI/AAAAAAAAOxs/nLtU1mol6Csa-yaiL5Xts_AG6ZCtGgywwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BOnobrychis%2Bviciifolia%2BSainfoin%2BTQ5872%2BBean%2Bwest%2B240520.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Uvbk3M89RE/XtP26M38rJI/AAAAAAAAOxs/nLtU1mol6Csa-yaiL5Xts_AG6ZCtGgywwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BOnobrychis%2Bviciifolia%2BSainfoin%2BTQ5872%2BBean%2Bwest%2B240520.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Sainfoin growing in this area is usually the result of amenity sowing and this was found on a road created in 2003. Nearby were also Lucerne and Goat's rue, all now naturalised long the roads here.<br />
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<i>Onobrychis viciifolia</i><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9D0Un6_tZiU/XtP3aq7aqGI/AAAAAAAAOx4/I9-Msyjj6zEd7yAJSN7gjS4Z493Oak4LQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BVicia%2Bvillosa%2BFodder%2BVetch%2BTQ5872%2BBean%2Bwest%2B240520.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9D0Un6_tZiU/XtP3aq7aqGI/AAAAAAAAOx4/I9-Msyjj6zEd7yAJSN7gjS4Z493Oak4LQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BVicia%2Bvillosa%2BFodder%2BVetch%2BTQ5872%2BBean%2Bwest%2B240520.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is another alien introduction that had its origins in amenity sowing in 2003 here, it's Fodder Vetch which looks like an overgrown Tufted Vetch with two tone flowers instead of all purple/blue ones. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPZGFIYy1yQ/XtP3apTpTKI/AAAAAAAAOx0/W24VCe86km4rJ5GAUfYHuDCL_fTTEfY4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BVicia%2Bvillosa%2BFodder%2BVetch%2BTQ5872%2BBean%2Bwest%2B240520a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPZGFIYy1yQ/XtP3apTpTKI/AAAAAAAAOx0/W24VCe86km4rJ5GAUfYHuDCL_fTTEfY4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BVicia%2Bvillosa%2BFodder%2BVetch%2BTQ5872%2BBean%2Bwest%2B240520a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Vicia villosa</i><br />
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This was the area I found the Fodder Vetch in, behind the pole in the bushes. But then I found something else growing there too, hidden away on this roundabout completely out of view of passing traffic and completely native.</div>
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Man Orchids! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQWPFtN4rD8/XtP34-f8ZcI/AAAAAAAAOyA/yNvPt-h0GjwkrH3DQLIQkRhWA0U-iJnkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa%2BHabitat%2BOrchis%2Banthropophora%2BTQ5872%2BBean%2Bwest%2B240520a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQWPFtN4rD8/XtP34-f8ZcI/AAAAAAAAOyA/yNvPt-h0GjwkrH3DQLIQkRhWA0U-iJnkACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/aaa%2BHabitat%2BOrchis%2Banthropophora%2BTQ5872%2BBean%2Bwest%2B240520a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As the photo shows, I found an amazing 29 spikes of flowering Man Orchid here. As it is a critically endangered species, that was good news indeed. Here's some of them growing quite happily amongst an old lorry tyre and other rubbish.</div>
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This was an unkknown site for them, so it is a new record for this species in this square.<br />
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<i>Orchis anthropophora</i><br />
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Here are the little "men" dangling down, each spike may have 100 such flowers.<br />
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I then had another nice surprise of three Bee Orchids on the opposite verge, another new record for this monad.<br />
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<i>Ophrys apifera</i><br />
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Next to these was another nice looking and uusual wildflower.<br />
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This is a Common Broomrape.<br />
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It is parasitic on other plants and chooses many to attach to, not just one species like some Broomrapes do.<br />
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<i>Orobanche minor </i><br />
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<span style="color: red;">2023 Update - The colony of Man Orchids, Bee Orchids and the Common Broomrape were all destroyed in 2022 as Highways England restructured and "improved" the A2 Bean/Bluewater interchange. If their employed ecologists can't recognise Critically Endangered species such as Man Orchid, then they are either incompetent or corrupt. Rant over! On a plus note, I hope they will colonise the new interchange in due course, just as they did the old one.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">In the "waste ground" areas, I found Wild Strawberry.</div>
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<i>Fragaria vesca</i></div>
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I then looked at an "island" of land between two roads, one being a main approach road to Bluewater the other a local road. I was very pleaed to find there over 100 more Man Orchids along with Yellow Vetchling too, both Kent RPR (rare plant register) species. I've reported these finds to the Kent Wildlife Trust and I can but hope that they may be adopted as a roadside nature reserve given the impressive number of endangered orchids present.</div>
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I checked Google Earth and the site was created in 2003 for new roads connecting Bluewater to local roads. Subsequent satellite photos show it rapidly scrubbing over with probably only 10 per cent of the island now left as open grassland. Hopefully, management will be put in place to keep this from scrubbing over more and thus losing this new colony of man orchids soon after it began.</div>
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These attractive flowers below belong to one of the culprits that rapidly swamp out grassland plants like the Man Orchid. It belongs to Dogwood, until it in turn loses out to Beech or Oaks.</div>
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<i>Cornus sanguinea</i></div>
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Of course, I found a lot more plants than mentioned and in another month or so there will be a lot more different species. Pyramidal Orchids will dot the road verges here too for example, very soon. It goes to show that even supposedly well known areas can throw up some surprises. I guess keeping local was one advantage of the recent lockdown to help me find them instead of going off somewhere miles away.<br />
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Take Care<br />
Dave<br />
@Barbus59Sylvaticahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350223540555729388noreply@blogger.com1