Short Walk at Ranscombe Farm, Kent, 15th March 2016
Ranscombe Farm is a fantastic place for wildflowers all year round in the Medway Valley with good public access. It is run by the only charity for wildflowers, Plantlife, of which I am a member. Rather than wax lyrical about it, read about it from this web link. Ranscombe Farm We didn't have long for a walk, which is the usual in midweek due to work. The main car park is right by the A228 main road, which is also managed for wildflowers. Right by the car was a rosette of the Man Orchid. These are Endangered nationally, but are fairly common in North Kent. Orchis anthropophora I then had a look along the main road verge which is also managed for wildflowers. The first flowering plant was Hairy Bittercress, a troublesome weed in many gardens. They are very similar to Wavy Bittercress and can distinguished easily by Hairy having the seeds overtopping the flowers, which is rare in Wavy Bittercress. Cardamine hirsuta Another tiny flower along the