Monday 30 March 2015

Arum italicum subsp italicum x A. maculatum a new hybrid for Wales

 At the weekend I found what I take to be the hybrid between a none native species Arum italicum subsp. italicum and a native species Arum maculatum. As far as I can tell this is a new hybrid for Wales. Growing on a road verge with both parents north of East Aberthaw, Glamorgan. In the picture above is the leaf of the hybrid. Below can be seen both parents and the hybrid. The hybrid has yellowish veins and some of the leaves have black spots. Arum italicum has white veins on the leaves and no black spots. Have posted some leaves of the hybrid to Wisley where they will do DNA test on my specimens. Now I have to wait to see if science agrees with my field observation!

Saturday 28 March 2015

Symphytum grandiflorum at St Hilary, Glamorgan

 Came across a large patch of Creeping Comfrey on a road verge near St Hilary today. An uncommon garden escape in Wales. The buds are red and as they come out they turn a very pale pink.

Friday 27 March 2015

Viola odorata var. dumetorum

 This is the commonest white form of sweet violet in Glamorgan. Has a dark purple spur and a beard on the lateral petals. Flowering on many of the road banks to the west of Cardiff.

Thursday 19 March 2015

Chrysosplenium alternifolium (Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage) on bank of River Ely, Glamorgan

 Had a very successful BSBI walk along a stretch of the River Ely to look for Chrysosplenium alternifolium (Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage), which was re-found for the county last year. The Chrysosplenium was found in three monads. There was eight of us on the walk, we recorded 168 species, very good going for this time of year.

Monday 16 March 2015

Viola odorata var. subcarnea

 I have started looking at the colour varieties of Sweet Violets as they are now starting to flower. Came across a large stand of this pinkish-purple form today called Viola odorata var. subcarnea. The purple and white forms are the common colour I normally see in Glamorgan. These two pictures were taken at Llancarfan in the churchyard.