Big Meadow Search

Stipule: a pair of leaf-like, spine-like or scale-like appendages at the base of petiole. Originates from the stem or petiole.
From the Latin ‘stipula’ meaning straw or stalk.
Meadow Vetchling (left)
Spotted Medick (top)- toothed
Field Pansy (bottom)- deeply cut

Tendril: a terminal, thread-like structure used for climbing.
From the French ‘tendron’ for young shoot or sprout.
Example below of branched tendril on Narrow-leaved Everlasting-pea

Thanks for adding that 👍

For #wildflowerhour it’s Common Dog-violet. Local names include blue mice and cuckoo’s-shoe

Are twisted, paler outer sepals found on any other species? Found these today 🤞🏼. Thanks

Apiculate: an abrupt, short point that is not an extension of the midrib.
From the Latin ‘apiculus’ meaning sharp point.
Example: Common Chickweed

Spot the moth…..Early Grey, Xylocampa areola. Flies March to May. Larvae feed on Honeysuckles

Mucronate: ending abruptly in a short stiff point. An extension of the midrib.
From the Latin ‘mucro’ meaning point or edge.
Spotted Medick (left)
Common Vetch (right)

Thanks for the lovely review 👍

Book 3 is however being considered 🤔🤓

I would buy a copy but I’ve not got the 🧠 to create one!

Cotyledon: a seed leaf. One of the first leaves to emerge from a germinating seed.
From the Greek ‘kotyledon’ meaning cup-shaped.
Beech (left)
Cleavers (right)

Thank uou

Plants and Habitats: An Introduction to Common Plants and Their Habitats in Britain and Ireland Buy Plants and Habitats (9780957608115): An Introduction to Common Plants and Their Habitats in Britain and Ireland: NHBS - Ben Averis, Ben and Alison Averis

A 2nd edition of my Plants and Habitats book is now out and available from the Natural History Book Store: www.nhbs.com/plants-and-h.... Main differences from 1st edition: many species added and nomenclature & further information (e.g. habitat classifications) updated. I hope people find it useful!

With it being World Book Day, I wanted to mention our BMS books.
Bk 1: focuses on grassland indicators with range of assocd species. Bk 2 has >200 different plants + assocd species. Example pages below.
£10 each: £2.70 postage for one, £3.90 for two,
bigmeadowsearch@gmail.com

Bract: leaf-like structure, usually on the upper stem.
From the Latin ‘bractea’ meaning thin metal plate.
Sheep’s-bit (left)
Wild Carrot (top)
Oxford Ragwort (bottom)

Petiole: the stalk of a leaf. Attaches the leaf blade to the stem. Petiole characteristics can be useful for ID.
From the Latin ‘petiolus’ meaning little foot or stem.
Lesser Celandine: two-channeled
Daisy: winged
Common Sorrel: angled
Hart’s-tongue: scaly

Whether it’s a first Lesser Celandine flower of the year or Elder leaves unfurling. The first #WildflowerHour challenge of the year is to spot #SignsOfSpring! Share your finds this Sunday 8-9pm. Below is the link if you would like to record your #NaturesCalendar sightings ⬇️ @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Latex: coloured sap, usually white. (Can be poisonous and a skin irritant).
From the Latin ‘latex’ meaning fluid or liquid.
Examples Greater Celandine (left), Dandelion (top), Petty Spurge (bottom).

Nipplewort, Lapsana communis: Look out for the rust fungus, Puccinia lapsanae, on young leaf blades and petioles. Seeing a lot of it around here at the moment

Ciliate: fringed with hairs (cilia). Usually used in relation to leaf margins.
From the Latin ‘cilium’ meaning eyelash or hair.
Examples: Great Wood-rush (left), Honeysuckle (top) and Germander Speedwell (bottom).

🌿 Read one of our latest Biological Flora accounts. It brings together all current knowledge on on Polygonatum multiflorum, a remarkable forest plant. Written by @FLEUR_network researchers & led by @ForNaLab & @INBO.be

buff.ly/DPDckMO

👍 thought it must have been likely

Has ‘supermarket car park plants’ ever been a challenge for wildflowerhour?

A beauty and a new record, perfect!

For #wildflowerhour this week, it is Dog’s Mercury. Other names include snake’s food and kentish balsam

Hydathodes Bellenot et al. introduce hydathodes, an oft-overlooked plant organ that acts as a pressure valve to expel excess guttation sap at the leaf margin, typically visible at dawn.

More details at www.cell.com/current-biol...

Hydathode: organs that exude water by the process of guttation. Usually found on apex and teeth of leaves.
From Greek, ‘hyda’ for water and ‘hodos’ for way.
Great Willowherb (top L), Alexanders (top R), Ivy-leaved Toadflax (bottom L) and Red Valerian (bottom R)

This month I am going to try and post a daily, photographically illustrated, botanical term. Will start today and see how it goes 🤞🏼

Thank you. I’ve been thinking about it but I did say to myself, no more books after the 2nd one was done 🤪