Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Outdoor Activities => Other => Topic started by: LandyLiam on May 14, 2012
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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)
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I know...I know... Daffodil
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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)
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Devil's matchstick
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need more details, latin names, etc etc ....
that'll keep you up late tonight ;D
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maybe not, a quick google got the info
http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/devils_matchstick
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)
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last one for this evening then
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1140999Small.jpg)
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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 :-)
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Moss this time. More than likely Racomitrium lanuginosum. Never like to ID from pics, but it's a reasonable guess!
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well one more then
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1150018Small.jpg)
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Possibly a Grimmia of some sort?
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Or maybe a Campylopus.
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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
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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
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.
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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)
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(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
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Yeah... its bog cotton, did you find it near Annalong wood?
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Yes this is Hare's Tail Cotton Grass....not the Common Cotton Grass. Found it near Doan.
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harestail cottongrass?
with an interesting latin name ::)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriophorum_vaginatum
HA! interesting indeed!
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What about this one??
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_4862.jpg)
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Is it a Butterwort?
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Bingo! ;D Spotted loads of them on the kerry trip, yet to see one in the mournes
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They dont generally look as pretty as that in the mournes... normally all squished and sodden :) look in boggy areas
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Some interesting uses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinguicula (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinguicula)
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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 :-\
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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!
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Very interesting thread,I've never really took the time to notice plants,something I'd like to change ;D
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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?
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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.
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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 :)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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will be armed with my ML handbook on wednesday,try & find a few ;)
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(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/Mountain%20plants/IMG_5080.jpg)
Some Star Moss, nice colour of green
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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)
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Possibly Germander Speedwell?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germander_Speedwell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germander_Speedwell)
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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)
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Got a few good pics of butterworts, how do I get them on here?
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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(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)
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Above are the Common Butterworts on Spinkwee River slope. Taken on camera phone, cool the way you can see all the insect food!
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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Computer playing up. The other one is Heath Milkwort, Polygala serpyllifolia.
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Nice one. Didn't know the species of Milkwort tbh. I like the lousewort, parasitic on grass I believe?
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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.
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Class pictures, i especially like the Common Spotted Orchid nice finds.
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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)
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i know, i know :)
looks a lot better in the pics than in did in real life
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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)
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Nice pics. I've still yet to find a sundew but will keep my eyes out.
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any guesses on this one then?
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2012/P1170393Small.jpg)
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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.
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From the picture it looks like a type of fungi called dead mans fingers ( Xylaria polymorpha).
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(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.
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(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?
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Triffids! Run!
They look like a little Aloe Vera cactus.
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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
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Great tread, keep it going 8)
Wish I had a camera phone to join in.
Regards all