Tag Archives: #Ecology

The Teasel

The Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum, is a tall, distinctive looking and handsome wildflower found throughout the British isles wherever nature has been given free reign to do whatever it likes, for this reason some refer to it not as a wildflower, but as a weed. In the first year of its growth it is a fairlyContinue reading “The Teasel”

Bog, or Lancashire Asphodel, an example of how modern science can back up ancient wisdom

Bog Asphodel, Narthecium ossifragum, also known as ‘Lancashire Asphodel’ or ‘moor gold’ in the north of England, grows in wet patches of bog and is a little orange-coloured plant with flowers that look like a little spike of orange wheat. They flower from July to August and if you look closely you can see thatContinue reading “Bog, or Lancashire Asphodel, an example of how modern science can back up ancient wisdom”

Bilberry Season is here!

Bilberries Bilberry, or Whinberry, season traditionally begins at the start of August and doesn’t last long, although this year it looks like it’s going to be another fairly productive one. There are many regional names for Vaccinium myrtilus, in some parts of Ireland and Scotland it’s called a blaeberry, in the South of England aContinue reading “Bilberry Season is here!”

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, is a common wild flower in the countryside, found growing in damp meadows and woods, on roadside verges, along hedgerows and near streams, it usually flowers between June and September. Its frothy tufts of delicate, graceful, creamy white flowers have a distinctive, sweet fragrance, possibly one of the reasons for its commonContinue reading “Meadowsweet”

Water Voles

Water Voles, Arvicola amphibius, prefer the banks of slow-moving rivers, streams and lakes with plenty of cover and minimal disturbance. They are much larger than other voles, their bodies can be up to 20cm, with a long tail and short, brown fur, which means they are very often mistaken for brown rats, they have aContinue reading “Water Voles”

Yew, the Death Tree

The Yew The Yew, Taxus baccata, is one of only three coniferous species (trees that bear cones and needles instead of leaves) which are native to the British isles, the others being the Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris, and the Juniper, Juniperus communis. The ‘Death tree’ It is most famously found in the country’s graveyards andContinue reading “Yew, the Death Tree”

Ermine Moth Colonies

There are eight species of Ermine moth in the British isles with the Bird Cherry Ermine which, as you might have guessed, prefers Cherry trees, being the most common, the adult moths can look very similar and some can only be differentiated by the food plants they are found feeding upon. Explodes in numbers EveryContinue reading “Ermine Moth Colonies”