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U3A Botany Group - 31 August 2021
by Jenny Taylor - 16:42 on 06 September 2021
On a fine warm day, five of us ventured to the small island of Wyre to see what we could find amongst the late summer wildflowers. We took in the plants on the verges as we walked towards the Chapel and Cubbie Roo's Castle, passing through a slightly damper area where we spotted Tufted Forget-me-not and Blue Water Speedwell. Then, in the almost dry moat round the castle, we found Water Crowfoot and Common Water-starwort, whilst the walls were adorned with masses of the lovely Wall-Rue.
We then took a route down a track past Cavit to the shore, alongside a bank of the invasive Salmonberry and Rosa rugosa. Heading westwards along the coast we reached a fine wetland area, which was relatively dry after the drought, so we were able to walk well into it and find plenty of interest including Northern Yellow-cress, Marsh Cudweed, Red Bartsia, Knotted Pearlwort, Marsh Horsetail, Bogbean, Marsh Cinquefoil, Marsh Bedstraw and Ragged Robin, all accompanied by the scent of Water Mint.
Our lunch break was enlivened by some very tame seals leaping for joy in front of us, whilst we looked at some coastal shore plants. We walked back to the pier where we looked again at a possible, but rather tattered, Alsike Clover and other plants in the vicinity.
In all we noted 92 species which also included - Autumn Hawkbit, Cat’s-ear, Changing Forget-me-not, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Great and Rosebay Willowherbs, Hybrid Woundwort, Lady’s Bedstraw, Pennywort, Perennial and Prickly Sow-thistle, Redshank, Sea Campion, Selfheal, Sneezewort, Spear Thistle, Toad Rush, Tormentil, Water Horsetail, Wild Pansy and Yellow Rattle.
Marsh cudweed
Marsh horsetail
Northern yellow-cress
Wall rue
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