Thursday 8 September 2016

What floral beauties line the margins of Burton's crop fields - Whilst SWALLOWS wave ta-ta!



Unusual 15 petalled "Creeping Buttercup"  (Click over to enlarge)

Over the past few weeks I have been passing crop fields just off Vicarage Lane in Burton In Kendal. Some fields will have Maize whilst others have Fodder Beet and it always surprises me just what flora gems are lurking in the margins.

I had to take a photo of the strange Creeping Buttercup (photo shown above).  I have never seen one like this before, and it has 15 petals formed in 3 layers of 5.

Another one on show every year is the Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum). I can only think its called that because of the black berry which should start to appear very soon now.  Because other than that there is no black present.  The flower is white and yellow with green leaves and dark green stems. I am told that not only its rare cousin the Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade is extremely poisonous but also the Black Nightshade's unripened fruit or its leaves contain Solanine and even more dangerous Antropine.  So let's leave that one alone and just enjoy the photograph "nuff said" !!!

Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) - Click over to enlarge
Another plant that seems to frequent the crop margins is the Galinsoga quadriradiata which looks very similar to the Gallant Soldier (G. Parviflora).


Galinsoga quadriradiata (Click over to enlarge)

(Click over photo to enlarge)

Top Left: Knotgrass (Polygonum) Top Right: Plaintain (Plantago)
Bottom Left: Groundsel (Senecio) Bottom Right: Redshank (Persicaria)

(Click over photo to enlarge)

Top Left: A mixture Top Right: Fat Hen (Chenopodium)
Bottom Left: Groundsel (Senecio), Sow Thistle (Sonchus asper)


THERE ARE EVEN MORE FLORAL PHOTOS WHICH I WILL ADD WHEN I GET CHANCE TO SORT THEM........ Soon heading off up thi'hill to a "birding experience" vismigging starts anyday soon with lots and lots of SWALLOWS!!  SO PLEASE COME BACK AND CHECK OUT WHAT BIRDIES HAVE BEEN WAVING TA-TA!!