Wild flowers

[langcliffe]

Is there a connection to 'Vaucluse' (of the big spring)?

I don't think so.The plant is named after Carolus Clusius, a sixteenth century botanist who was one of the first to study alpine flora.

 

[Lankyman]

To escape the crowds and bustle of Westray we got on a boat to neighbouring Papa Westray which is even further out. Again, lots of orchids, bird's-foot trefoil, yellow flag iris and meadows full of buttercups. I was quite taken with the Knap of Howar, apparently the oldest known house in northern Europe dating back to the Neolithic period. No people and no ticket required (unlike Skara Brae) just lots of sea pinks and atmosphere.

A newborn swallow was trying to stay out of sight - welcome to the world

Sea campion with fulmar flypast

A sea of silverleaf by the ruins of St Tredwell's Chapel - reputedly she plucked her own eyeballs out to avoid having to marry and people with sight problems used to go there for cures. I still need my specs so obviously not praying hard enough.

We saw a small patch of something which I thought at first was thyme but it isn't. Anyone know?

 

[Lankyman]

I can't figure these orchids out. They look like Northern Marsh but have dark spots on their leaves

 

[tony from suffolk]

A single pyramidal orchid, spotted growing by our usual dog-walking path here in Suffolk -

 

[langcliffe]

A butterfly orchid in Chartreuse:

 

[kay]

Thanks had assumed Marsh Orchid as it was in very boggy ground!
I think the other is water forget me knot possibly as the flower shape matches up, doesn't compare to Brooklime which I think has less petals?

Agree it’s a forget-me-not, thought not necessarily water forget-me-not - there are other forget-me-nots that like wet places. Brooklime is a Veronica (Veronica beccabunga - “bungs up becks” ) so has the Veronica features like opposite leaves and four petalled flowers

 

[Lankyman]

On top of the highest hill on Westray (the mighty Fitty Hill, 169m) moorland with the added attraction of being dived on by skuas. Lousewort, milkwort and butterwort

 

[Lankyman]

I think these might be the Scottish Primrose (only found in the far northern reaches of Scotland and on Orkney). It appears to flower twice a year in spring and summer so it looks as if we're too late and too early. Above the cliffs at Yesnaby in the short turf a bit back from the edge.

 

[kay]

I think these might be the Scottish Primrose (only found in the far northern reaches of Scotland and on Orkney). It appears to flower twice a year in spring and summer so it looks as if we're too late and too early. Above the cliffs at Yesnaby in the short turf a bit back from the edge.
View attachment 26848

Scottish primrose Primula scotica is a tiny thing with slightly fleshy and powdered leaves like an Auricula. The whole plant is not much wider than a 10p piece. The obvious Primula leaves in your photo are Primula vulgaris, Primrose.

 

[Mr Mike]

Cotton Grass on Rivington moor

 

[bagpuss]

Hedgerow Cranesbill, Wookey

A non native invasive to watch out for -Himalayan Balsam, have taken part in Balsam bashes in the past to try to remove/ reduce it on river banks as it can cause damage.

 

[Lankyman]

Tormentil on Hoy, a very different island from elsewhere in Orkney.

Lots of the Northern Marsh orchids that seem to be everywhere in Orkney. That's Ward Hill behind, the highest in the North Isles (Orkney and Shetland).

 

[Karen L]

I can't figure these orchids out. They look like Northern Marsh but have dark spots on their leaves
View attachment 26825

Aren't Marsh Orchids one of the ones that cross-pollinate with Commons? That might explain the spotty leaves.

 

[Lankyman]

Aren't Marsh Orchids one of the ones that cross-pollinate with Commons? That might explain the spotty leaves.

Quite possibly - it seems orchids are very keen to integrate with each other!

 

[Lankyman]

I think this is common scurvygrass. There was a big patch of it which would be handy for any shipwrecked sailor short of vitamin C. Quite a strong scent.

 

[Lankyman]

Marsh lousewort on a boggy hill on Orkney

I think that might be a Great Yellow bumblebee which is found on Orkney

Great Yellow bumblebee - Bumblebee Conservation Trust

The Great Yellow bumblebee is one of the UK's 24 species of bumblebee.

www.bumblebeeconservation.org

 

[bagpuss]

Finally cool enough to take a walk, in a limestone area in Backwell nr Mendip.

Betony

Rock rose

Meadow sweet

Wild Marjoram (and a meadow brown)

Lady's Bedstraw

 

[Lankyman]

Buttercups at the Unstan chambered tomb beside the Loch of Stenness, Orkney.

 

[bagpuss]

Some of the biggest orchids I've ever seen, not that far from the area that was burned in the Priddy mineries fire that happened earlier in the year.

Grass starting to green up post fire damage

 

[Lankyman]

Back from Orkney and it's very different back in Lancashire. It's obvious there have been high temperatures and not much rain here. Meadowsweet by the canal (with a raft of yellow water lilies beyond).

Meadow cranesbill along the towpath

Common sea-lavender by the Lune estuary