The Melancholy Thistle, Cirsium heterophyllum, Cirsium originating from the Greek word ‘kirsos’, meaning swollen vein which refers to thistles being used as a cure for varicose veins, and heterophylum meaning ‘different leaf’, is a fairly tall thistle with a deeply-furrowed, wooly stem, large flower-heads and soft, downy leaves with an almost felt-like underneath. It prefersContinue reading “The Melancholy Thistle”
Tag Archives: #Butterfly
Cinnabar and Ragwort
The common perception of moths is as dull-coloured, crepuscular creatures, more often than not seen at night or appearing as the sun goes down to thunk into window panes, or, if they get into the house, lightbulbs. But, as with most things in nature, things aren’t quite so simple and straight forward, as there areContinue reading “Cinnabar and Ragwort”
The Common Blue
The Common Blue Butterfly, Polyommatus icarus, is on the wing now and can be seen in most parts of the British isles fluttering low in the grasses and shrubs of our countryside and gardens. There are several species of blue butterflies in the British isles but the Common Blue, as its names suggests, is theContinue reading “The Common Blue”
Meadow Crane’s-bill
Meadow Cranesbill, Geranium pratense, is a perennial wildflower of the British countryside and is in bloom from June to August, its scientific name pratense means ‘of the meadow’ but it is often found on roadside verges, embankments and hedgerows too. Its nectar-rich flowers make it an important and popular plant for many species of pollinatingContinue reading “Meadow Crane’s-bill”
The Large Heath Butterfly
The Large Heath Butterfly, Coenonympha tullia, also known as the Common Ringlet and, locally, as the Manchester Argus, is mainly found in wet boggy moorland areas of northern England and Scotland, with a few isolated colonies in Ireland, Wales and Southern England. They can be found at a few spots in the Northwest; Winmarleigh nearContinue reading “The Large Heath Butterfly”
Bird’s Foot Trefoil
Bird’s foot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, (corniculatus coming from the Latin for ‘with small horns’), is a common flowering plant throughout the British isles that has accumulated quite a collection of common names; ‘crow’s toes’, lady’s slippers’, ‘hen and chickens’ and ‘bacon and eggs’ being just a few that are still in regular use, most ofContinue reading “Bird’s Foot Trefoil”
The Comma
The Comma, Polygonia c-album, named after the comma shaped mark on its white underwings, is a very striking butterfly in appearance and can be found in large numbers at the right time of year on its favourite plants. They are orange and black with ragged looking wings which break up their outline and make themContinue reading “The Comma”
The Dandelion, and why you should leave it be!
The Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is found all over the British isles and one of our most widespread and successful wildflowers. The first part of its scientific name, Taraxos, derives from the Ancient Greek word for ‘chaos’, and akos meaning ‘remedy’, and it is does indeed grow chaotically almost everywhere and, as will be covered laterContinue reading “The Dandelion, and why you should leave it be!”
Northwest Nature and History 