Friday, February 22, 2019

Ophrys insectifera (Fly Orchid)


Ophrys insectifera (Fly Orchid)

I have recorded 7 established sites on Hutton Roof for Fly Orchids with one site producing just one spike, yet another producing up to 82 spikes.  So far in total from all 7 sites I have recorded a minimum of 155 spikes (best recording year 2018).

 95% of the current records seem to be on the central and East sides of Hutton Roof at altitudes of between 700 to 800 ft above sea level.


 Ophrys insectifera (Fly Orchid) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: Hutton Roof Common on 3rd June 2018


 Ophrys insectifera (Fly Orchid) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: Hutton Roof Common on 3rd June 2018


Ophrys insectifera (Fly Orchid) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: East Hutton Roof 6th June 2018
Varietal pattern



Epipactis helleborine (Broad Leaved Helleborine)



Epipactis helleborine (Broad Leaved Helleborine)
Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof on 25th April 2019

Also checked out our Epipactis helleborine (Broad Leaved Helleborines) which are just starting out and you can see from the photo they are at about 2 or 3" tall. 




Epipactis helleborine (Broad Leaved Helleborine) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: taken 4th August 2017

To get a far better picture of the status of this species on Hutton Roof
then please check out EPIPACTIS ATRORUBENS AND MORE which
can be accessed by CLICKING HERE

Epipactis atrorubens (Dark Red Helleborine)



Epipactis atrorubens (Dark Red Helleborine) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: July 2012 - The Common

To get the complete story on the above species you can go to my EPIPACTIS ATRORUBENS AND MORE BLOG which has lots of photos plus information also on the hybrids and varieties.  To
access this blog CLICK HERE

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Melampyrum pratense (Common Cow-wheat)



Melampyrum pratense (Common Cow-wheat) - Click over photo to enlarge
Photo: 22nd June 2015 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)

This species is recorded from Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) where there is a strong population

Melampyrum pratense (Common Cow-wheat) - click over photo to enlarge
Photo: 9th June 2017 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)

You get such beautiful design within the leaf just like this one above.


Melampyrum pratense (Common Cow-wheat) - click over photo to enlarge

Photo: 9th June 2017 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort)


Minuartia verna is a very rare species although reasonably locally common on Hutton Roof. So far, I have found 12 good numbered populations (which have from a couple of hundred, or up to two thousand flowers in their particular groups), although besides these there are many small groups (of several up to one hundred) throughout Hutton Roof. The largest population is to the South of the Trig point and over the first escarpment.  

The species is found mainly to the Central and East side of the Common with very few in comparison found on the West side. 

Although they are usually regular in size (and this can differ according to locality), on the very rare occasion I have found that you can find variation in their sizes of the flowers.

 There is something so striking about these beautiful little flowers and I think this is particular down to the striking pink/red anthers which stand out so much against the white of the petals.  

**

Emergence 2019

Found my first Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort) of the year

Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort)

Photo: 14th April 2019 - The Rakes Hutton Roof

Several on show. This area, The Rakes and below seems to have its own little micro-climate because I have now found today that Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort), Orchis Mascula (Early Purple Orchid and Allium ursinum (Ramsons) are in full flower and this could be up to a fortnight before anywhere else on the Roof. 


Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort)
Photo: 17th May 2018 - The Common


 Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort)
Photo: 22nd May 2012 - The Common


 Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort)
Photo: 22nd May 2012 The Common


Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort)

Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort)
Photo: taken 22nd May 2012 Hutton Roof

The above shows a example of Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort) growing on the sides of old anthills which is seen regular on Hutton Roof.

Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle)



Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle)
Photo: 17th June 2020 - Burton Fell, Hutton Roof (CWT



Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle) - Click over photo to enlarge
Photo: taken 20th July 2015

A beautiful species which frequents our limestone pavements throughout the area. Some of the finest examples come from the Burton Fell areas

Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle) - Click over photo to enlarge
Photo: 14th July 2018 - Burton Fell

Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle) - Click over photo to enlarge
Photo: 14th July 2018 Hutton Roof

Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle) - Click over photo to enlarge
Photo: July 2019 Hutton Roof

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Daphne Mezereone (Daphne Mezereone)




Friday 4th March 2022 - Daphne Mezereone - Holme Stinted Pastures. DIARY NOTES - Last photos of the year.

Showing the Daphne Mezereone No.2 plant at its very best before it starts dying back. The flowers still held much beautiful scent and it was well loaded with numerous flowers.













Saturday 2nd March 2019 - Holme Stinted Pastures - Hutton Roof

Daphne Mezereone at its very best and lots of frogs at their spawning pond on Holme Stinted Pastures

Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)

The above are a collage showing different views of the gorgeous aromatic plant.  We even have some of the lovely green leaves showing. To see full views of the above plants check out the individual shots below.


Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)

Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)

Daphne Mezereone taken on my iphone - note the difference in colours

Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)

 Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)

 Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)

Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)


 Daphne Mezereone (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: 19th February 2019 - Holme Stints

Daphne Mezereone (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: 19th February 2019 - Holme Stints

I found this particular plant in 2018 and its probably the best flowering specimen on Hutton Roof at the moment. I monitor it regularly and have noticed that some early flowers (up to 4 or 5) may actually come out as early as December, but guess the plant is best seen from the last week in February


Daphne Mezereone - Holme Stinted Pastures
Photo: 23rd March 2019

(Above) is the final photo of the year for this plant and shows how well it is leafing up in readiness for a good crop (hopefully) next year.

Friday 29th March 2019 (East Side - Plants)




Daphne Mezereone (all 5 plants) today at Hutton Roof (Click over to enlarge)



HR East Side No. 1 (2019)


 Daphne Mezereone -  HR East Side No. 1 along path under hawthorn canopy
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - full plant


Daphne Mezereone -  HR East Side No. 1 along path under hawthorn canopy
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Close up of leafing

HR East Side No. 2 (2019)

Daphne Mezereone -  HR East Side No. 2 inside on top of escarpment nearest to NW
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Full plant


Daphne Mezereone -  HR East Side No. 2 inside on top of escarpment nearest to NW
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield -  Close up of  flower and new leafage

HR East Side No. 3 (2019)

Daphne Mezereone -  HR East Side No. 3 inside on top of escarpment nearest to South
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield -  Full plant and new leafage

Daphne Mezereone -  HR East Side No. 3 inside on top of escarpment nearest to South
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield -  Close up showing flower and new leafage


HR East Side No. 4 (2019)

Daphne Mezereone -  HR East Side No. 4 inside about middle of steep escarpment under Holly Tree
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield -  Showing full plant and new leafage


Daphne Mezereone -  HR East Side No. 4 inside about middle of steep escarpment under Holly Tree
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield -  Showing Close up of full plant and new leafage

HR East Side No. 5 (2019)

Daphne Mezereone -  HR East Side No.5 inside about middle of steep escarpment under Holly Tree
Photo: 29th March 2019 - Shows close up of full plant and new leafage


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2018


Daphne Mezereone - Holme Stints plant (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: taken 26th March 2018

Daphne Mezereone - Holme Stints plant (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: 8th April 2018

Results from 2020 (below)
2nd March

2020 was a poor year for this particular Daphne Mezereone
Holme Stinted Pastures, Hutton Roof. 
Left side was how it looked in 2019 and Right side how it was a few days ago.


Daphne Mezereone poor showing on "Holme Stints"

A couple of days ago I went over to Holme Stinted Pastures to check out the Daphne Mezereone and to be honest I wasnt really expecting what I was about to see, obviously it seems like it must be a very poor year for our local Daphne.  I have combined a photo from last year when it was in good flower with this years photo so you can see the difference. (see header photos).

Just got back from checking our the Hutton Roof (East) specimens and the good news is they are still all alive and I would say flowering to their normal.  I have obviously left it late this year, perhaps a fortnight or so too late, but still I can do the counts.

I had never realized up to a couple of years ago thats Its down to this current year how well the plant does for next year.  The key is how well it produces leaves and photosynthesis.  I guess it would be so easy to blame more recent weathers for highs and lows, but no that is not always the case!

And here is the 2021 showing on Holme Stints
2nd March 2021
the worst showing since 2018






The results for the Hutton Roof (East) "Daphne" specimens for 2020 are as follows:

The beauty which is near the track has come through with quite a lot of flowers (approx 200) which is probably on a par with last year. Here is a photo of how it looked on 13th February 2020 (photo thanks to Robin Currie.


Daphne Mezereone from over Hutton Roof (East) Ref No.1
Photo: Robin Currie on 13th February 2020

 And below are a couple of photos which I took today 2nd March 2020

This again is Ref No.1 but today 2nd March 2020 (200 flowers approx)
outside.

 This is Ref 2 (inside) at top (flowers 94 approx)
Photo taken 2nd March 2020

 This is Ref 3 at top on inside (just the one flower)
Photo taken 2nd March 2020

This is Ref No. 4 half way down inside (10 flowers approx)
Photo: 2nd March 2020


 Ref No. 5 bottom inside (approx 50 flowers)
Photo: 2nd March 2020

Another from Ref 5.