Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Mythical plants and odd bods

I've been having a whistle stop tour of some the Kent Wildlife Trust's Weald reserves.  They are mostly woodland with the odd meadow and heathland.  I haven't been able to take too many photos but there were a couple of interesting finds.

Firstly this creeping woodland plant, Enchanter's nightshade:

Enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana

It is not part of the nightshade family, but belongs instead to the evening primrose family.  It is supposedly named after the Greek goddess of magic, Circe.  Circe was the daughter of the sun and she is known to turn her enemies into animals, especially pigs.

The Ghyll hosts an unusual variation of Elder, Sambucu nigra laciniata, or cut-leaved Elder.  It is very similar to regular Elder but with jagged leaves...

Cut-leaved Elder

Token butterfly picture:

Small Copper

Here is a shrubby tree that we haven't managed to identify.  The closest I have come is Portugal Laurel but I am doubtful.  The leaves have toothed margins.  Any clues welcome...



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