Oxford ragwort, Senecio squalidus. A real railway flower. It’s a hybrid between two Senicio species native to Mount Etna that was introduced to the Oxford Botanic Garden in 1690. By the end of the 18th century it grew on almost every wall in and about Oxford. During the Industrial revolution ragwort seed was distributed around the country via the thriving railway […]
Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui. The Painted Lady is a long-distance migrant, spreading northwards from the desert fringes of North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia arriving in May and June. It’s a truly global species present on every continent except South America and Antarctica and is one of the few found in Iceland.
Peacock, Inachis io. Probably the longest-lived butterflies in Britain (some even managing to see their 11th month) adults hibernate through the winter and make an early spring appearance. Frequent visitors to Buddleia later in the year when building up fat prior to hibernation, their preferred breeding habitat is large nettle beds in sheltered sunny situations.
Purple dead nettle, Lamium purpureum. Though similar to a nettle in appearance, it is not related, doesn’t sting and is a member of the Mint family. The flowers may be produced throughout the year, including mild weather in winter. This allows bees to gather its nectar for food when few other nectar sources are available. It is also a prominent source […]
Purple Hairstreak, Neozephyrus quercus. The Purple Hairstreak is our commonest Hairstreak and is primarily found in woodland containing oak trees (hence quercus), the foodplant of the larva. The male is hard to spot as they spend much time high in the tree canopy feeding on honeydew. They may come lower in periods of prolonged drought.
Purple toadflax, Linaria purpurea. Closely related to the Antirrhinum (snapdragons) this plant grows to about a metre high. Its value lies in its flowering season which extends from April to late September and provides a valuable source of nectar for bees. Its leaves also provide food for a variety of moths.
Pyracantha. Pyracantha is a genus of large, thorny evergreen shrubs in the rose family Rosaceae. They are native to an area extending from Southwest Europe east to Southeast Asia. They have a white rose flower and resemble and are related to Cotoneaster, but have serrated leaf margins and numerous thorns (Cotoneaster is thornless). On Parkland Walk it is certainly a […]
Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta. The Red Admiral is a common and regular migrant to the UK although some of the population survive the winters in Southern UK and it can be seen on sunny winter days. As well as gathering nectar from Buddleia, Ivy blossom and Bramble they are also partial to rotten fruit.
Red campion, Silene dioica. There are five pinkish petals which are deeply notched at the end, narrowed at the base and all go into an urn-shaped calyx. The nectar of the flowers is utilised by bumblebees and butterflies. Crushed seeds of red campion have also been used to treat snakebites. WT
Red mason bee,Osmia bicornis. As the name suggests, these bees frequently nest in masonry between bricks. They’re also happy adopting a home in bee hotels. Females seal up their nests with mud to allow their young to develop over winter protected from frost and rain. Photo Tristan Bantock
