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U3A Botany Group August 2015
by Beryl Matthews - 07:52 on 07 August 2015
Orkney U3A Botany Group 4th August 2015
On a sunny but windy afternoon six members of the Botany Group met to look at the plants to be found in the Sutherland Links, Burray. Armed with a note of some possible finds, kindly supplied by John Crossely, we were soon trying to work out whether what we were looking at was one of the plants on John’s list or not and learning what such words as ‘mucronate’ mean. His advice to look at bare and disturbed areas rather than overgrown ones was wise advice.
In addition to the slightly more rare plants John suggested we look for there were lots of more readily identified plants and such things as the spikiness and glorious purple and grey of a Spear Thistle were admired. Watching three different types of butterfly dance in a sheltered patch of sunshine was a special treat.
The afternoon concluded with excellent tea, coffee and shortbread at the Sands Hotel.
The Group’s next meeting is planned for Tuesday 18th August meeting at Deesbreck on the road towards Durkadale S of Hundland (map reference HY298254).
CANCELLED DUE TO FORECAST.
Plants recognised:-
Spear thistle
Eyebright sp
Pineappleweed
Spear-leafed orache
Common ragwort
Yarrow
Common mouse-ear
Sea campion
Mayweed sp.
Tufted vetch
Greater knapweed
Red dead-nettle
Dock sp.
Bird’s foot trefoil
Meadow vetchling
Opium poppy
White clover
Dandelion sp
White/red campion
Smooth sow-thistle
Red clover
Wild angelica
Yellow rattle
Chickweed
Black medick
Marsh marigold
Ragged robin
Sea sandwort
Silverweed
Cleavers
White mustard
Long-headed poppy
Ribwort plantain
Daisy
Cat’s-ear
Wild radish
Hogweed
Creeping thistle
Butterbur
Common comfrey
Cow parsley
Forget-me-not sp
Marsh cinquefoil
Shepherd’s purse
Lady’s bedstraw
Water-cress
Common buttercup
Common nettle
Flag iris
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