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Category Archives: wildflowers

Twayblades

15 Sunday May 2022

Posted by sconzani in flowers, wildflowers

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British orchids, Common twayblade, Neottia ovata, orchid, Twayblade

You could’ve knocked me down with a feather when I spotted these Twayblades (Neottia ovata) during this morning’s walk. I’ve visited this place at least once a month for the last five years, probably more frequently at this time of year to look for butterflies and other insects, yet I’d never noticed these orchids before.

220515 twayblades (1)

And there were plenty of them – 20, 30, possibly more. Their green colour does mean they blend into the background of other plants but still. It was a lesson, to always pay attention … because just look at the beauty I’ve been missing!

220515 twayblades (2)

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April woodland wanders

01 Sunday May 2022

Posted by sconzani in flowers, plants, walks, wildflowers

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British wildflowers, woodland walks, woodland wanders, woodland wildflowers

I couldn’t resist sharing the floral delights from my various wanders in the local woodlands during April. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have – the wildflowers have been simply gorgeous!

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Death in the meadow

30 Saturday Apr 2022

Posted by sconzani in insects, wildflowers

≈ 6 Comments

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British butterflies, British spiders, butterfly, Crab spider, Crab spider kills Orange-tip, Cuckoo flower, Orange-tip, Orange-tip male, Orange-tip on Cuckoo flower

Sometimes I can be a bit slow. During today’s walk, I was ambling along the edge of a meadow when I spotted a male Orange-tip butterfly flitting from one small patch of Cuckoo flower to the next. Then it stopped at one spot longer than usual so I walked quickly over to get some photos. I could see its tongue was out so knew it was feeding but, still, I was amazed at how long it was staying put on the one flower. And then I saw why …

220430 orange tip and spider (1)

The poor butterfly had been grabbed by a lurking, very well camouflaged Crab spider.

220430 orange tip and spider (2)

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Delicious Dandelions

24 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by sconzani in flowers, insects, wildflowers

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dandelion, dandelion flowers, insects on dandelions, International Dandelion Day

I’ve said it before, I’ll probably say it again: Dandelions are an essential source of nectar and pollen for all kinds of insects, particularly those that emerge in early Spring when few other plants are in flower. So, on this International Dandelion Day, a plea to you all – PLEASE don’t cut, kill or otherwise damage your Dandelions!

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Early-purple

22 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by sconzani in flowers, wildflowers

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British orchids, Early-purple orchid, native orchid, Orchis mascula

I have no fungi to share this Friday so let’s have a floral Friday theme instead. This sublime bloom is my first orchid of the year, an Early-purple (Orchis mascula), one of three surprise finds during a woodland walk on Wednesday.

220422 early purple orchid

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New bloomers

10 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by sconzani in flowers, spring, wildflowers

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British wildflowers, Spring colour, spring wildflowers

In which I share a little video of the latest wildflowers to bloom in my neck of the woods …

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Flowers and Cuckoos

03 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by sconzani in spring, wildflowers

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Arum maculatum, British wildflowers, Cardamine pratensis, Cuckoo-pint, Cuckooflower, Lady's-smock, Lords-and-ladies, Milkmaid

The coincidence of the pale and delicate Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) coming into bloom at the same time as the first Cuckoos arrive back from over-wintering in Africa is the likely origin of this wildflower’s common name, though several other wildflowers also bloom at this time and, with the climate changing, the flower’s blooming and the bird’s arrival no longer coincide very precisely. Perhaps the alternate Lady’s-smock and Milkmaid are more appropriate names.

220403 cuckoo flower

Another wildflower that is known in some areas as Cuckoo flower, as its flowers open around this time, is Arum maculatum. I know it best as Lords-and-Ladies, but many call it Cuckoo-pint (rhymes with mint), for which there is a somewhat more risqué explanation: pint is short for pintle, meaning penis. I’m sure you can all see why.

220403 cuckoo pint

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Woodland wildflowers

27 Sunday Mar 2022

Posted by sconzani in wildflowers

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British wildflowers, Lesser Celandine, Opposite-leaved golden saxifrage, Wood anemone, woodland wildflowers

Earlier this week I walked to one of my local woodlands to check what wildflowers were in bloom. The sparse scattering of Wild garlic flowers and just one plant with open Bluebells were a little disappointing but the carpet of lush plants under the trees held great promise of the beauty to come. The Wood anemones, Lesser celandine and Opposite-leaved golden saxifrage were a delight, as were the other wildflowers dotted here and there. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

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Redshank and Coltsfoot

21 Monday Mar 2022

Posted by sconzani in birds, wildflowers

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birding, birdwatching, British birds, British wildflowers, Coltsfoot, Redshank

Not a combination you see every day: a Redshank passing some golden Coltsfoot, growing near the river’s edge …

220319 redshank and coltsfoot

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Fritillary

20 Sunday Mar 2022

Posted by sconzani in wildflowers

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Fritillaria meleagris, fritillary, Snake's-head fritillary

When the word fritillary is not being used to name a butterfly, it refers instead to several species of flowers, members of the Lily family, in particular the gorgeous Snake’s-head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris). Interestingly, the Oxford Dictionary gives the following explanation of the word’s origin: ‘Mid 17th century from modern Latin fritillaria, from Latin fritillus “dice box” (probably with reference to the chequered corolla of the snake’s head fritillary).’ I was surprised to find several Snake’s-head fritillaries in flower today, in a location I’ve not seen them before, almost certainly planted rather than wild but beautiful just the same.

220320 snake's-head fritillary

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About me

sconzani

sconzani

I'm a writer and photographer; researcher and blogger; birder and nature lover; countryside rambler and city strider; volunteer and biodiversity recorder.

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Recent blog posts

  • Another new leafhopper May 16, 2022
  • Twayblades May 15, 2022
  • The return of Zorro May 14, 2022
  • May bugs May 13, 2022
  • Glowing in the grass May 12, 2022

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