Wednesday 15 August 2012

Common or Garden...

Wildflower lovers may be tempted out into the limestone dales to enjoy the flowers that flourish in sweeter conditions than those here. But there's lots to interest those who want to puzzle over identification even of very common specimens. Small willowherbs are persistent weeds in my garden, but on tracksides and around streams and ditches where they are allowed to reach their full height they are well worth a second look. Presumably they are so called because their leaves are similar to those of the willow. The family has numerous members and, common or not, needs careful attention to identification and a good handbook. there is the Great Willowherb, the Broad Leaved Willowherb, the Rosebay Willowherb; and then there are the Hoary, the Marsh, the Pale, the Spear-leaved and the Square-stalked. Some are very close relatives indeed: variation is a wonderful thing.

Great Willowherbs have hairy leaves, downy stems and stigmas with creamy lobes.




Rosebay Willowherbs are the commonest sight at this time of year; their  leaves are arranged spirally and are nearly hairless.

Once you get to the smaller ones things get difficult.

But also nearby from the same family is Enchanters Nightshade, common but often missed alongside the bramble. It has small but attractive flowers with just two divided petals and tiny ball shaped fruits.

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