Tag Archives: #Butterfly

The Hawthorn

The Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, also known as Quickthorn, Whitethorn, or the May tree, is one of the most common small trees, (or large shrubs, depending on how you look at it), to be found in the British isles. Their scientific name comes from the Greek word for ‘strength’; Crataegus, and monogyna comes from mono, meaningContinue reading “The Hawthorn”

Common Ivy

Common ivy, scientifically known as Hedera helix, is an evergreen climbing plant native to, and ubiquitous throughout the British Isles, excepting the far north and a few spots like the Isle of Man.

Common Honeysuckle, a look at Lonicera periclymenum, one of our most Beloved Hedgerow Climbers

Common Honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum, also known as Woodbine, is one of those plants that easily goes unnoticed until it bursts into flower, filling the air with a heady, sweet perfume that draws you in as you pass. Twisting and twining its way through our hedgerows, these tubular blooms shift from creamy white to yellowish-pink throughContinue reading “Common Honeysuckle, a look at Lonicera periclymenum, one of our most Beloved Hedgerow Climbers”

The Small Heath Butterfly and its Reliance on Grazed Pastureland

The Small Heath butterfly, Coenonympha pamphilus, a diminutive member of the Nymphalidae family, is a widespread yet increasingly vulnerable species across the British Isles. In Northwest England, this unassuming butterfly thrives in a variety of open, grassy habitats, but its populations are closely tied to specific ecological conditions, particularly those shaped by traditional land managementContinue reading “The Small Heath Butterfly and its Reliance on Grazed Pastureland”

The Ecological Importance of Urban Gardens

Introduction Our street is much like any other in the UK, it’s in the middle of a largish housing estate, built in the 70’s and situated between boxy brick council houses built in the 50’s and a grey, rabbit-warren like concrete council estate built in the 80’s, known locally as ‘Lego-land’. Along our street sitsContinue reading “The Ecological Importance of Urban Gardens”

The Greater Butterfly Orchid

The Greater Butterfly Orchid, Platanthera chlorantha is a herbaceous perennial that typically grows to a height of 20 to 60 cm. It is easily recognised by its pair of broad, shiny, elliptical leaves at the base, with smaller, lanceolate leaves higher up the stem. The plant’s flower spike, which blooms from May to July, bearsContinue reading “The Greater Butterfly Orchid”

Comfrey

Comfrey, Symphytum officinale, also known as ‘knitbone’ is a hardy perennial herb, native to the British Isles and thriving in our temperate climate, especially in the damp, fertile soils often found along riverbanks, ditches, and meadows. From late spring to early autumn this attractive-looking wildflower produces clusters of delicate tubular flowers, typically in shades ofContinue reading “Comfrey”