Super-vibrant Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) re-seeding itself from a wildflower mix sown last year in a patch of amenity lawn, Conwy #urbanplants #wildflowerhour
Greater Red-hot-poker (Kniphofia x praecox) becoming well naturalised on an industrial estate, Llandudno Junction. Several large, impressive plants with flowers that were proving irresistible to bumblebees #wildflowerhour #urbanplants
I’m a sucker for good, strong floral scent, and Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum) has to be amongst the best. The fragrance carries far on the air and has undertones of suntan cream, always reminding me of long, hot summer holidays. Lots planted on the Cob, Conwy 🌱
Even a trip to the local recycling centre can turn botanical. Monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) getting a foothold beside a repurposed shipping container in Mochdre (and yes, I’ve grown up calling it Mimulus & refuse to call it by the awful new name Erythranthe 😂) #wildflowerhour
Forgot to add the Latin name - Nemesia strumosa. It’s strangely uncommon given its popularity in gardens - here’s the map from Atlas 2020 plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9.... I’ve seen it a few times and suspect this map will change considerably in the next few decades.
Highlight of my week was urban plant hunting around Conwy with the wonderful @nicwilson.bsky.social. I set ourselves a challenge: to find a species not recorded in the town before. And voilá! Nic spotted Cape-jewels growing in a crack beside some steps. Always something new to find. #wildflowerhour
Gotta love a hairy stamen. Especially when they’re blue with golden anthers. Tradescantia andersoniana 'Osprey', a new addition to the garden today 🌱
Welsh Groundsel (Senecio cambrensis) on the left and the radiate form of Groundsel (S. vulgaris). They often grow together so you have to be very careful with ID! I find stigmas reliable, those of vulgaris are smooth but on cambrensis they bear papillae #wildflowerhour @speciesrecovery.bsky.social
I’ve been out surveying Welsh Groundsel (Senecio cambrensis) this week for @speciesrecovery.bsky.social Glad to report numbers are well up on last year (when the spring drought killed many plants). This site had 69 plants compared to just 20 last year #wildflowerhour
If you want to learn more about urban plants, take a look at this talk I gave to @bsbibotany.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCdC.... And, of course, you can purchase the book itself, available online from all good natural history and mainstream bookshops. 4/4.
TrevorTheBotanist
TrevorTheBotanist
YouTube video by Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
