Yellow Rattle:
This is parasitic on the grass roots, so where it grows abundantly, the grass grows less vigorously. When the seed heads dry they rattle when you shake them.
Can you see it here among the brown ribwort plantains and buttercups?
Creeping buttercup
As its name suggests, it grows low on the ground and sends out runners. Not a gardener’s favourite!
Bulbous buttercup
Gets its names from bulbous roots but you can tell it by the sepals turned down below the petals.
Meadow buttercup
Common throughout the grassland areas. It has thinner leaves than the Creeping buttercup and it grows taller. Sepals point upwards.
The Nettles are now in flower
As are grasses such as the Wood Millet
Umbellifers
Hogweed
The tallest and sturdiest – the giant hogweed is over six foot
Cow parsley
(Queen Anne’s Lace) is much lighter and more dainty
Sanicle
Sanicle is shorter, has little round balls of flowers and is only found in a few places.
We passed a wonderful three hours here today. Some extremely kind, friendly, knowledgeable and patient staff added to the experience. They made a damp Sunday afternoon perfect.
From Ann and colleagues at the wharf, to Martin who gave much of his time to explain the industrial heritage of the site, we thank you all very sincerely for a memorable afternoon.