Tags
Allium ursinum, British wildflowers, Dark-edged bee-fly, Honey bee, Ramsons, solitary bee, Speckled wood, spring flowers, Wild garlic
The first two days of the Easter break were very wet so I’m glad I took these images last Sunday. One of our local parks has the perfect environment for Wild garlic – Ramsons, if you prefer, Allium ursinum. A shallow ravine runs through the park, with a small stream meandering along its base, and, at this time of year, the steep sides of the gulley are carpeted with the lush green leaves and bright white umbels of garlic flowers. Elsewhere in the park, under tall old trees, the path is also lined with Wild garlic, so anywhere you walk, whenever you breathe, your nostrils are almost assaulted by garlic’s strong smell.

Though I know some people can’t tolerate this odour, it doesn’t seem to affect the insects, neither attracts nor repels them; a flower’s a flower, with the pollen and nectar that nurtures them. Last Sunday’s walk wasn’t particularly sunny but I still found a few creatures feeding greedily: a Speckled wood, a teeny solitary bee and a Honey bee, and a Dark-edged bee-fly.

Have you ever seen the hoverfly that likes ramsons (Portevinia)
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Hi Philip
I have seen Portevinia, yes, but not in this park, which is odd when you consider it would be like paradise for that species. I try to remember to look every year but thanks for the very timely reminder! 🙂
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I have looked unsuccessfully so far despite large drifts of the flowers.
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Well, good luck if you keep looking. 🙂
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Beautiful photos especially of the Speckled Wood on the wild garlic flower. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Shazza. 🙂
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