February 23, 2012
A look today at Hooe Lake in Plymouth. Set on the limestone, it has a good flora.
Please contact me if you think I have made a mistake with my identifications.
phil_pullen@hotmail.com
Hooe Lake, Plymouth.
This area is joined to the Plym estuary by a small neck of water and is tidal.
Asplenium ceterach (Rustyback)
Asplenium ceterach (Rustyback) is a fern which grows occasionally on old stone walls in the Plymouth area. This time it was growing on a fairly newly constructed stone wall. This species is found in Western and Central Europe, including the Mediterranean region. The picture below shows the golden coloured underside of the frond which gives the fern its name.
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Novice birdwatchers are often perplexed when they see gulls in winter with mostly white heads which are called Black-headed Gulls, then even more puzzled when you explain that in summer the heads actually become brown, although they often look black from a distance.
It is most definitely not a ‘seagull’ and is found commonly almost anywhere inland. Black-headed gulls are sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds, usually seen in small groups or flocks, often gathering into larger parties where there is plenty of food, or when they are roosting.
February 23, 2012
A typical Plymouth roadside bank is home to many species of flowering plants. Today we take a look at the late winter scene.
Please contact me if you think I have made a mistake with my identifications.
phil_pullen@hotmail.com
Hooe, Plymouth.
Geranium lucidum (Shining Crane’s-bill) forms the main rosette of leaves on the left whilst Geranium robertianum grows in the top right of the picture. Also present are Hedera helix (Ivy) and Veronica hederifolia (Ivy-leaved Speedwell) is visible growing amongst the Shining Crane’s-bill.
This is a very common plant association at this time of year on Plymouth’s roadside banks.
February 22, 2012
The first flowers of Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) are always a welcome sight, a sure sign that winter is nearly over. This picture was taken at Radford Park, Plymouth.
Please contact me if you think I have made a mistake with my identifications.
phil_pullen@hotmail.com
Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)
Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn or Sloe)
This is how the shrub could look in a few weeks time.
Prunus spinosa is native to Europe, western Asia, and locally in northwest Africa. It is also locally naturalised in New Zealand and eastern North America.
The expression “sloe-eyed” for a person with dark eyes comes from the fruit, and is first attested in A. J. Wilson’s 1867 novel Vashti.
In Britain, so-called sloe gin is made from the fruit, though this is not a true gin, but an infusion of vodka, gin, or neutral spirits with the fruit and sugar to produce a liqueur.
February 21, 2012
Rusts are basidiomycete fungi. A common and widespread example is Bramble Leaf Rust, Phragmidium violaceum. It should be noted that there is a very similar species Phragmidium bulbosum.
Please contact me if you think I have made a mistake with my identifications.
phil_pullen@hotmail.com
Phragmidium violaceum (Bramble Leaf Rust)
Underside of a bramble leaflet, Rubus fruticosus agg.
Phragmidium violaceum (Bramble Leaf Rust). The image below shows the spores of P. violaceum on the left - usually four cells and dumpy in shape. The closely related P. bulbosum on the right,which also attacks brambles, usually has spores with six cells and a more elongated shape.
Above: The upper surface of a bramble leaf.
The two rusts have different hosts. P. bulbosum is associated with Dewberry (Rubus caesius), (BSBI map), and one section (Corylifolii) of the difficult complex of Bramble microspecies. P. violaceum is found only on the the other forms of Bramble.
