Though not yet in bloom. But five prominent clusters of waxy, dark-purple-spotted green leaves in Knelle Woods, Beckley, today were in exactly the same small area where I counted 31 in flower last April. I never expected to see them before the New Year.
The next few days will see the Sea Kale flowering at its peak (above), now supported by Sea Pea, Sea Campion, Thrift, Herb Robert, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Mouse-eared Hawkweed and Bittersweet.
In a hedgerow near Doleham Station today I noticed some bright pink shapes and closer inspection found them splitting open to reveal bright orange berries - they are fruits of the Spindle and are poisonous. For all you need to know about Spindle CLICK HERE
A closer look at a large patch of yellow flowers today proved to be a new species record for Rye Harbour Farm. Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata) was last recorded at Rye Harbour in 1982. It is a member of the Gentian family and is common on chalky soils, so not common in the RX area.
I expected to see Viper’s Bugloss, Yellow Horned Poppy, Herb Robert, Red Valerian and Sticky Groundsel in flower today on the shingle, but our three rare species were also in bloom, providing the latest recorded dates here… Least Lettuce (below), Red-hempnettle and Stinking Hawk’s-beard.
Few plants have as evil a reputation as ragwort. It is very toxic to lifestock and there is legislation requiring it’s control. Shingle beaches are a habitat where it is beneficial and should be spared the fate of weed control. It occurs as a natural part of the shingle flora, usually on areas where the beach is a little disturbed.
The plants above are growing among lichen heath with abundant Cladonia lichens, wood sage Teucrium scorodonia and dodder Cuscuta epithymum. Although not a rare plant in it’s own right it does produce a very valuable Read the rest of this entry »
Walk to the mouth of the river Rother on the west side and you will see great drifts of large daisies. Most are growing just above the saltmarsh plants within the fenced areas, so it’s not easy to see what they are. They are Sea Mayweed and are providing masses of food for insects… Read the rest of this entry »
Oblivious to the ongoing drought there are some lovely patches of Lady’s Bedstraw in full bloom now. Look on grassland on poor soils such as around Camber Castle. Wikipedia here.
This lovely flower is now in full bloom and has seed pods, but it has declined in the RX area due to sea defence works, trampling and rabbits. You can still enjoy it just above the high water mark at Rye Harbour. If you look closely you will see that some leaves have semi-circular cut margins, where the Pea Weevil Sitona lineatus has eaten it.
It has been an unusual year of weather, so far, and this seems to be reflected most clearly by flowering dates. We are now at the peak of flowering for Sea Kale, whereas in most previous years this occured around 15th May. I expect other people have their own seasonal indicators… The first flowering Yellow Horned Poppy and Viper’s Bugloss were also seen today.
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