Tom the Botanist

It was warm this week, with highs up to 19 degrees Celsius. Bluebells have started to fill the air with their distinctive fragrance in woodlands and hedgerows alike. We have reached peak Cuckoo-flower, which is springing up along hedge banks and damp grassy places all over the county, along with Jack-by-the-hedge.In arable fields, rapeseed is in full-flower, turning vast swathes of the countryside golden yellow.

Apple trees are in full blossom, and they’ve caught up with the pears from which they will soon take the baton. Blackthorn is also out in full-swing, taking over almost completely from cherry plum.

Wild cherry has become quite conspicuous, with its pom-poms of blossom and bronze young foliage. Oak trees have finally burst into leaf and flower (sorry hayfever sufferers), and are like beacons of hope across the landscape. Grass-wise, I have seen sweet vernal-grass (Martley) and meadow foxtail (Stourport Basins) both in flower this week.

Featured Find

I was particularly excited to see the false oxlip Primula x polyantha, which is a hybrid that occurs between the primrose and cowslip, where they grow together, in this case along Hopehouse Lane (see below).

The List

1. Honesty Lunaria annua at sunset. Great Witley.
2. Pear Pyrus sp. St. Peter’s Church, Martley
3. Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus. St. Peter’s Church, Martley
4. Green alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens. St. Peter’s Church, Martley
5. Sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum. St. Peter’s Church, Martley
6. Field horsetail Equisetum arvense. Hopehouse Lane, Martley
7. False oxlip Primula × polyantha. Hopehouse Lane, Martley
8. Shining crane’s-bill Geranium lucidum. Mill Road, Stourport-on-Severn
9. Male and female plants of grey willow Salix cinerea. Millsfield Drive, Stourport-on-Severn
10. Ivy-leaved toadflax Cymbalaria muralis. Martley.
11. Opposite-leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium. Brynmawr, Shropshire.
12. Bird cherry Prunus padus. Fountain Lane, Clent Hills.
13. Jack-by-the-hedge Alliaria petiolata. Fountain Lane, Clent Hills.