Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Other => Topic started by: LandyLiam on May 14, 2012

Title: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 14, 2012
lately while i've been walking uphill, gasping away with my head looking downwards in exhaustion, i've taken to looking at the plantlife to break up the journey a bit, and surprise surprise, there's a lot more than mud and heather up there!

so i've been taking snaps of the flora with a view to posting them here in the hope someone can tell me what it is (i.e. to save me buying a book  ;) )

i'll start with an easy one then, any know what this yellow flower is spotted on the slopes on chimney rock mtn?

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1140994Small.jpg)





Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Kayakgirl on May 14, 2012
I know...I know... Daffodil
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 14, 2012
bah, only cos you where there at the time  ;D

ok now thats wet your appetite, whats this then?

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1150007Small.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Kayakgirl on May 14, 2012
Devil's matchstick
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 14, 2012
need more details, latin names,  etc etc ....

that'll keep you up late tonight   ;D
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 14, 2012
maybe not, a quick google got the info

http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/devils_matchstick

Quote
Devil’s matchstick
(Cladonia floerkeana)
Also known as 'British soldier'.

A quirky lichen with red-capped branches (known as 'podetia'), this lichen usually grows between one and three centimetres in height.

Like all lichens, the Devil's matchstick is actually two organisms working together: a fungus and an algae in a symbiotic relationship.
Where to see it

Cladonia floerkeana has a fondness for dead wood so rotting logs and fence posts are a good place to start. It also grows on well drained soil with a high organic matter content such as that found on heath and moorland.
Distribution

This lichen is scattered throughout the UK, although more commonly found in the north and the west.
Did you know?

Lichens are very sensitive to air pollution: the more lichens you find in a place the cleaner the air!


the devils in the detail  8)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 14, 2012
last one for this evening then

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1140999Small.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 14, 2012
It's a lichen. It's most likely that it's a Cladonia lichen. My guess would be Cladonia floerkeana, though I'm no lichen expert. The Cladonia lichens with the red tops tend to be called matchstick lichens.

More plants please :-)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 15, 2012
Moss this time. More than likely Racomitrium lanuginosum. Never like to ID from pics, but it's a reasonable guess!
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 15, 2012
well one more then

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1150018Small.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 15, 2012
Possibly a Grimmia of some sort?
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 15, 2012
Or maybe a Campylopus.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 15, 2012
bah, only cos you where there at the time  ;D

ok now thats wet your appetite, whats this then?

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1150007Small.jpg)


The ones with the red tops are Devils Matchsticks and the Green ones are Pixie Cups
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 15, 2012

Quote
The ones with the red tops are Devils Matchsticks and the Green ones are Pixie Cups
and there was me think they were just the same thing but not in bloom!

quick google got me some more info on them
http://www.voyageurcountry.com/htmls/floweringplants/plants/pixiecups.html

Quote
As a lichen this plant is composed of algae and fungus in a symbiotic relationship, where both plants gain benefit and neither are harmed by the relationship. The pixie cup looks like the name implies, a tiny cup (1/2 inch high) on the forest floor used by the pixies or wood fairies to sip the morning dew from. They are often found in close association with another lichen called "British Soldiers", because these have a bright red fruiting cap at the end of the stalk, making them look like the red capped British Soldiers of Colonial times.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 19, 2012
Does anyone know what this is?

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5003.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5004.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 19, 2012
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5004.jpg)

harestail cottongrass?

with an interesting latin name  ::)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriophorum_vaginatum
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Are we there yet? on May 19, 2012
Yeah...  its bog cotton, did you find it near Annalong wood?
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 19, 2012
Yes this is Hare's Tail Cotton Grass....not the Common Cotton Grass. Found it near Doan.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Are we there yet? on May 19, 2012

harestail cottongrass?

with an interesting latin name  ::)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriophorum_vaginatum

HA! interesting indeed!
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 19, 2012
What about this one??

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_4862.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Are we there yet? on May 19, 2012
Is it a Butterwort?
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 19, 2012
Bingo! ;D Spotted loads of them on the kerry trip, yet to see one in the mournes
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Are we there yet? on May 19, 2012
They dont generally look as pretty as that in the mournes...  normally all squished and sodden :) look in boggy areas
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 19, 2012
Some interesting uses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinguicula (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinguicula)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Are we there yet? on May 19, 2012
Some interesting uses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinguicula (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinguicula)

Ah! that answers questions... the ones ive seen have been nearly purple, with thin foliage... turned in.. they must have been having dinner  :-\
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 20, 2012
It's Common Butterwort, Pinguicula vulgaris. It, along with the slightly rarer Pale Butterwort, can be found all across the Mournes. They're especially associated with springs and flushes, something with (though not exclusively) a little bit of water movement. Pretty flower!
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Mourneman on May 20, 2012
Very interesting thread,I've never really took the time to notice plants,something I'd like to change ;D
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 20, 2012
It's Common Butterwort, Pinguicula vulgaris. It, along with the slightly rarer Pale Butterwort, can be found all across the Mournes. They're especially associated with springs and flushes, something with (though not exclusively) a little bit of water movement. Pretty flower!

I was up the Annalong Valley today looking for them, followed the river up to the Ox tail then followed the river coming down Lower Cove to Cove lough. Didn't spot one. :( Do you think the fires maybe wiped them out?
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 20, 2012
Not sure about the fires, it just may not be the best area for them. If you're specifically looking for it, especially the Pale Butterwort the best place is to park at Leitrim Lodge, through the gate and follow the track to the right, across the stream, staying below the trees and youll find lots of it in the wet area to the right below the trees and the track. It's got great pools for spotting dragonflies too.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 20, 2012
Not sure about the fires, it just may not be the best area for them. If you're specifically looking for it, especially the Pale Butterwort the best place is to park at Leitrim Lodge, through the gate and follow the track to the right, across the stream, staying below the trees and youll find lots of it in the wet area to the right below the trees and the track. It's got great pools for spotting dragonflies too.

Cool I'll have a look next weekend :)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 20, 2012
Cool I'll have a look next weekend :)

Might still be a bit early for flowering, you'll possibly get Common Butterwort, but Pale Butterwort doesn't flower til at least July.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 20, 2012
Might still be a bit early for flowering, you'll possibly get Common Butterwort, but Pale Butterwort doesn't flower til at least July.

This site is good for wild flowers

http://www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail.php?id_flower=525&wildflower=Butterwort,%20Pale (http://www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail.php?id_flower=525&wildflower=Butterwort,%20Pale)

I didn't know about the pale one but if i see a common one i'll be happy. Definitely be on the look out for the pale ones in july.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on May 21, 2012
Area around the Spinkwee river camp site has common butterwort, lousewort, tormentil, milkwort, wild pansy and bluebells.

Lots of worts! The cover of bluebells suggests to me the area was quite recently wooded.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 21, 2012
Area around the Spinkwee river camp site has common butterwort, lousewort, tormentil, milkwort, wild pansy and bluebells.

Lots of worts! The cover of bluebells suggests to me the area was quite recently wooded.

Cool, i'll have to check that area out over the next few weeks.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Mourneman on May 21, 2012
will be armed with my ML handbook on wednesday,try & find a few  ;)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 21, 2012
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5080.jpg)

Some Star Moss, nice colour of green
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 28, 2012
Found this on the way back from Hen...anyone know what it is?

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5197.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on May 28, 2012
Possibly Germander Speedwell?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germander_Speedwell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germander_Speedwell)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 28, 2012
Possibly Germander Speedwell?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germander_Speedwell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germander_Speedwell)

Yeah that's what i thought too.

http://www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail.php?id_flower=248&wildflower=Speedwell,%20Germander (http://www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail.php?id_flower=248&wildflower=Speedwell,%20Germander)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on May 28, 2012
Got a few good pics of butterworts, how do I get them on here?
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 28, 2012
You need to upload them to a website like Photobucket, that's the one i use, then once there uploaded you can simply copy the image code and paste it in the thread.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on May 28, 2012
Ah right, might do that at some stage but too tired tonight. Tried the attachments option there but the pics are too big or something.

Anyway, was up at Spinkwee River again on Sat, found a bank of Common Butterworts on the steep slope on eastern side of river. At least 14 of the plants in about a square metre and some of the biggest ones I've seen too. One or two were in flower.

Also there are more regenerating trees on this slope than I thought at first, at least 40 birch saplings (ranging from under a foot to about six feet in height), several willows, four rowan saplings and best of all five tiny oak saplings. Hope some of them survive.

In birdy news the Grey Wagtail nest at the river was empty and there was no sign of the young or the adults, nest looked undisturbed so I think they all fledged successfully. And in other news there was fresh litter at the campsite after I had cleared it up and carried two full black bin bags of rubbish back to Newcastle the previous Saturday!
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 28, 2012
I'm going to have to take a dander up to Spinkwee River sounds like loads of stuffs happening and i'll bring a bag or two just incase.

Seen my first lone Mourne Butterwort yesterday walking up Hen :)

Sundews should be coming out soon too i think. That's another one i need to add to my list.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on May 28, 2012
Sundews should be coming out soon too i think. That's another one i need to add to my list.

I've never seen a Sundew at all. If I ever do I will let you know. My aims in June are to look for nesting Peregrines in the Mournes (although probably getting a bit late for this), to follow the Spinkwee further up towards its source and also to explore along the (unnamed?) stream on the east slope of Luke's Mountain, vegetation looks good here.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 29, 2012
whats this little fellow then (spotted on slopes of slieve corragh today) bit small for a daffodil  ;D

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1160568Small.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 29, 2012
whats this little fellow then (spotted on slopes of slieve corragh today) bit small for a daffodil  ;D

It's Potentilla erecta, common name is Tormentil. Very common, but very pretty.
http://www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail.php?id_flower=288&wildflower=Tormentil (http://www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail.php?id_flower=288&wildflower=Tormentil)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on May 29, 2012
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-26131012.jpg)

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-26131021.jpg)

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-26131027.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on May 29, 2012
Above are the Common Butterworts on Spinkwee River slope. Taken on camera phone, cool the way you can see all the insect food!
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on May 29, 2012
Above are the Common Butterworts on Spinkwee River slope. Taken on camera phone, cool the way you can see all the insect food!

Class pics! cool that the top one caught a Daddy long legs
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: NI Survival School on May 30, 2012
And a very usefull plant in terms of medicine. It will staunch wounds as its a strong astringent and it has anti bacterial qualities . Potentilla meaning powerful is very fitting it is fantastic as a head ache cure .

whats this little fellow then (spotted on slopes of slieve corragh today) bit small for a daffodil  ;D

It's Potentilla erecta, common name is Tormentil. Very common, but very pretty.
http://www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail.php?id_flower=288&wildflower=Tormentil (http://www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail.php?id_flower=288&wildflower=Tormentil)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on May 30, 2012
Not high Mournes but here are some pics from Garron Plateau today...

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-30085504.jpg) One more butterwort, this time in full bloom.

Can you name these ones?

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-30090936.jpg)

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-30091059.jpg)

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-30091001.jpg)

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-30085759.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 30, 2012
Not high Mournes but here are some pics from Garron Plateau today...

Can you name these ones?

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-30090936.jpg)
Lousewort, Pedicularis sylvatica

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-30091059.jpg)
Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-30091001.jpg[/
Heath Milkwort, Polygala serpyllifolia

[IMG]http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-05-30085759.jpg)
Cuckooflower, Cardamine pratensis
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Samm on May 30, 2012
Computer playing up. The other one is Heath Milkwort, Polygala serpyllifolia.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on May 30, 2012
Nice one. Didn't know the species of Milkwort tbh. I like the lousewort, parasitic on grass I believe?

Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: NI Survival School on June 01, 2012
The cuckoo flower also known as ladies smock is another nice edible. Whole plant can be eaten raw. It has a nice peppery taste goes well in a salad or as an ingredient for a soup. It has cleansing properties and as its name cardamine suggests its good for the heart.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on June 01, 2012
Class pictures, i especially like the Common Spotted Orchid nice finds.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on June 02, 2012
Spotted this beauty on Hen today.

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5217.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5216.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on June 02, 2012
i know, i know  :)

looks a lot better in the pics than in did in real life
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Eamonn on June 07, 2012
Spotted loads of Sundews at the weekend. Hundreds of them over at Sprinkwee river and loads along the path that runs beside Annalong forest. Seen a good few Butterworts up the Trassey Track near the last gate.

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5226.jpg)
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5228.jpg)
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5279.jpg)
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5277.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on June 11, 2012
Nice pics. I've still yet to find a sundew but will keep my eyes out.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on June 14, 2012
any guesses on this one then?

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1170393Small.jpg)
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on June 14, 2012
Not a notion. Got a pic of a strange pinky/purple flower in the Sperrins yesterday, don't know what it is either but I'll get it up here at some stage.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: NI Survival School on June 14, 2012
From the picture it looks like a type of fungi called dead mans fingers ( Xylaria polymorpha).


Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: sjh1 on June 15, 2012
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj483/corvuscornix1/2012-06-13101142.jpg)

Right, what's this then? Flowers look a bit like heather but it's not (as you can tell from the leaves in the pic). My only other thought is that it's some species or variety of Milkwort but don't think I've seen it before.

It was on the edge of a forest track in the central Sperrins.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 28, 2013
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1030275Small_zps8948b455.jpg)

first time i noticed these, found about 5 of them on near Lough Shannagh, any idea what they are?
Title: plants of the high mournes
Post by: KyleL on May 28, 2013
Triffids! Run!

They look like a little Aloe Vera cactus.
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on May 28, 2013
I've just looked through the previous posts in this thread and its now obvious that this is a baby butterwort, although i do lke the triffid idea  ;D
Title: Re: plants of the high mournes
Post by: Wolf_Larson on May 29, 2013
Great tread, keep it going   8)

Wish I had a camera phone to join in.

Regards all