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Alphington's wild flora

Wild flowers in and around Alphington's lanes

By Rowena Jay

Cats Ear (Hypochoeris radicata)

This flower can be found on roadsides and in meadows and fields from June onwards. It was given the name "Cat's-ear" because the stems have scale-like bracts that resemble cat's ears.

Buttercup (Ranunculus)

The name "Buttercup" dates back to the late 18th Century
and before that the plant was called Butterflower or Crowfoot. The "Meadow Buttercup" (Ranunculus acris) can grow to 90 cm (36 inches) and it has numerous leaves that consist of two to seven lobes. This is the only "Buttercup" that does not the middle lobe on a separate stem. The "Creeping Buttercup" (Ranunculus repens) creeps along by putting out runners, it has hairy leaves. The "Bulbous Buttercup" (Ranunculus bulbosus) has a swollen base to the stem.

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)

This is one of Britain's earliest wildflowers that can be found in bloom from March until May. It grows in damp, shady places, woods and meadows.

Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)

It is thought that the origins of the name Celandine came from the Greek word for Swallow, the plant flowers at the same time as the Swallows arrive. Strangely the Greater Celandine is not related to the Lesser Celandine, instead it is a member of the Poppy family though the flowers and seed pods resembles those of the Cabbage family.

Back to wildlife and flora in Alphington's lanes and around the Exeter Canal.