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Post by John Pappus on Aug 12, 2015 22:35:02 GMT
Hi all, these 2 fine fellows are growing around the base of some rocks in my garden and as I'm rapidly beginning to enjoy grasses (sedge/s even?) I wondered if anyone could steer me right with them?  Oops - better add the pictures, definitely helps! A couple of grasses or a grass and sedge-like one? Any thoughts on this little plant, in some woodland along the banks, about 10 ft away, not in the water or the 'boggy' areas but a dimly sheltered, rocky and 'rooty' beck-side that I very nearly got stuck down with a rather concerned-looking dog a couple of days ago.. Didn't take any more pictures of it, rather stupidly I'm afraid, any lead would help... Thanks.  2_grasses_for_ID by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr  mystery_plant_1 by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr |
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Post by aeshna5 on Aug 13, 2015 4:42:54 GMT
1 Timothy Grass, Phleum pratense
2 Yorkshire Fog, Holcus lanatus
3 Enchanter's Nightshade, Circaea lutetiana
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Post by faith on Aug 13, 2015 8:54:00 GMT
I agree with aeshna here, but I hope you don't mind if I add a couple of provisos, especially as it is clear that John is seriously interested in learning the finer points. These two grasses are easy to identify just by seeing the flowering head, but that is by no means true of all grasses. If you could supply a picture of the grass as a whole, showing the leaves too, and perhaps a note on the habitat, this would be a great help. Even two pics: a close up like the ones you have given here, and a whole-plant one as well. Your microscope might come in really handy with grasses, to show the ligule, or hairs on the leaves and things like that.
Although the Enchanter's Nightshade is probably Circaea lutetiana, in some areas C.x intermedia, which is the hybrid with C.alpina, is actually more common than the parents and can persist without them. To decide which, leaves are very helpful, and also info as to whether there were stolons, and whether when squeezed the fruit appeared to be empty (suggesting the sterile hybrid).
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Post by John Pappus on Aug 13, 2015 22:38:41 GMT
1 Timothy Grass, Phleum pratense 2 Yorkshire Fog, Holcus lanatus 3 Enchanter's Nightshade, Circaea lutetiana Thanks aeshna - some super names too! My lovely Wife told me straight off that the first one was Timothy - but I said I'd check with 'the crew' also, I then received a very dodgy look! I can 'work backwards' now through an ID and pick up lots more information, many thanks for your rapid ID! The Yorkshire Fog has a great name, especially as we're only a couple of miles from the Yorkshire border - it's my favourite county, I like it even more than Cumbria! Thanks again. |
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Post by John Pappus on Aug 13, 2015 22:44:54 GMT
I agree with aeshna here, but I hope you don't mind if I add a couple of provisos, especially as it is clear that John is seriously interested in learning the finer points. These two grasses are easy to identify just by seeing the flowering head, but that is by no means true of all grasses. If you could supply a picture of the grass as a whole, showing the leaves too, and perhaps a note on the habitat, this would be a great help. Even two pics: a close up like the ones you have given here, and a whole-plant one as well. Your microscope might come in really handy with grasses, to show the ligule, or hairs on the leaves and things like that. Although the Enchanter's Nightshade is probably Circaea lutetiana, in some areas C.x intermedia, which is the hybrid with C.alpina, is actually more common than the parents and can persist without them. To decide which, leaves are very helpful, and also info as to whether there were stolons, and whether when squeezed the fruit appeared to be empty (suggesting the sterile hybrid). Yes these extra details would've helped - I knew the folk here would be able to give me a sound ID, thanks. The grasses are really intriguing to me and I plan to study them perhaps over this Winter. I'll start collecting some specimens before it's too late, I can keep some 'wet' in fixative and place some other complete specimens in my herbarium for safe-keeping until I need them. The Enchanter's Nightshade is a lovely little plant, I'll be returning to the beck in the next couple of days and should be able to gather much more information then, with of course some extra pictures. Having a great time - wildflowers everywhere at this time! |
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