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Alphington's wild flora

Wild flowers in and around Alphington's lanes

By Rowena Jay

Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

This daisy can be found on roadsides and meadows and is also known as the "Moon-daisy or "Dog-daisy". It flowers between June and August.

Field Rose (Rosa arvensis)

The flowers of this wild Rose are always white and despite its name it grows in wooded areas.

Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea)

As this dainty plant has a weak stem it requires support from the other vegetation growing around it, usually long grass. At one time it was regarded as the "Thunder Flower" and if the flower was picked it was believed that this would provoke thunder and lightening. Greater Stitchwort is often found growing with Lesser Stitchwort and flowers from April until June.

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

This is the only member of the Cabbage family to give off a garlic smell. The only other family of plants to give of this scent is the Allium family; the Scientific name for both genera is derived from the Latin word for Garlic. Garlic Mustard is also known as Hedge Garlic, Poor Man's Mustard and Jack-by-hedge; it is commonly found in hedgrows, on roadsides and in shady wood margins. During June the pale green caterpillars of the Orange Tip Butterfly can be found on the long green seed pods but they are hard to see being so well camouflaged.

Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)

This is the most common and the earliest to flower of all the white Parsleys. It grows in hedges and at the side of woods and flowers between April and June. It is thought that the large groups of delicate plants gave rise to the name of "Queen Anne's Lace".

Large Bindweed (Calystegia sepium ssp Sylvatica)

This is amongst the largest of British wildflowers with the blooms reaching up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) across.

Navelwort (Umbilicus rupestris)

Found in the high roadside banks growing in rock crevices. It is also known as "Pennywort" because the leaves resemble a penny (pre decimalisation pennies). "Umbilicus" is Latin for navel and this refers to the navel-like dimble in the centre of the leaves. It flowers between June and August.

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