Abbey Meadows

Abbey Meadows

Thursday 13 May 2010

Goldilocks and Toothwort





Goldilocks Buttercup ...Abbey woods.



Toothwort among Ground Elder...Mathesons Gardens


Just a quick post of a couple of local flowers. Goldilocks Buttercup (ranunculus auricomus) commonly grows in shady areas usually at the base of trees on rocky slopes. It is a beautiful flower with bright glossy petals and imperfect flowers. Rarely do you see a flower with all five petals. Another plant to look out for this time of year is Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria). It is a parasitic plant with no green pigment and leaves are replaced by scales. I have never found them under their preferred host Hazel. The Morpeth ones grow above the roots of Elm and Holly. I know of two sites here but the one at Matheson gardens are harder to find as they grow among the Ground Elder, the ones at the castle are easier to see.

2 comments:

Ipin said...

I remember seeing toothwort in the Scotch Gill a few years back.....

abbey meadows said...

I've never seen them there Ian but I go in there a lot. Presumably they will still be around.