An Enchanted Place

Here are a few of the wildflowers that I spotted while out for a nature walk. Most of these pictures were taken inside the meadow. The Cinquefoil and Chamomile, however, were at the edge of the Plot Lane outside, just along from the hole in the hedge. Other than a couple of very brief spells of sunshine, it was a bit of a dull day, unfortunately, so many of the pictures are a little uninspiring. You can easily tell which flowers I was with when the sun came out!

Dame’s Violet

This first plant I have tentatively identified as Dame’s Violet (Hesperis matronalis). I spotted a single little stalk tucked away in the corner of the meadow, in amongst the long grass. My initial thought was Cuckoo flower – which I’m sure I’ve photographed in previous years – but the flowers appear to be much flatter than those. If anyone has an alternative id, I’d love to know.

Field Forget-me-not

The Field Forget-me-nots (Myodotis arvensis) have been largely absent from the meadow this year, but I’ve now spotted two separate plants at opposite ends of the meadow.

Tufted Vetch

The Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) is growing particularly strongly in a number of large patches around the edge of the meadow. They’ve used their curling tendrils to pull themselves above the thick growth at ground level in order to get the light levels they require.

Kidney Vetch

I was quite pleased to see a few patches of Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) still in bloom. There was lots of this about in early June, but most of it has now died back for the year.

Common Poppy

The Common Poppy (Papavee rhoeas) is a flower that hasn’t done very well in the meadow this year, but there is one little plant now in flower in the corner near the main entrance.

Common Yarrow

The Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), on the other hand, is doing particularly well this year. There are lots of little pink and white flower heads about.

Self-heal

The meadow paths are edged with a sprinklings of Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) flowers, popping up amongst the red and white clover that continues to bloom.

Field Scabius

The Field Scabius (Knautia arvensis), which at first was only growing down along the bottom edge of the meadow, near the little woodland, is now growing in lots of little clumps all around the meadow.

Ragwort

There are lots of Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) plants popping up around the meadow. These often demonised wildflowers (they’re toxic to cattle and can be deadly if they find their way into dried feed, though the beasts will avoid eating from a growing plant) are a great late summer food source for the bees.

Hogweed

The Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) has passed its best, now. Most of it is turning to seed, but there are still a few flowers about.

Cinquefoil

This Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) is growing just outside the hole in the hedge. Hopefully it will make its way to the other side soon.

Chamomile

We’ve had Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) in the meadow previous years, but this year it is absent. It is, however, growing around the entrances to several fields along Plot Lane.

 

This was day 46 of 365 Days Wild.