Lower Sid-2024-09-Sep

-
Lower Sid-2024-09-Sep
Peter Orchard
Tue, 09/03/2024 - 14:48



* Read more about Lower Sid-2024-09-Sep






Cloudy and a brisk breeze


http://dlvr.it/TCm4bj

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On my walk ... the rock samphire

-
Image
  Walking the paths by the sea even though it is getting late in the season it is still possible to see this 'iconic' flower of the seaside, rock samphire [ Crithmum maritimum] . It is one of those plants that seems capable of growing in the most extreme conditions and, indeed, only grows in extreme conditions, on rocks, walls, shingle and barren conditions exposed to the weather and sea spray. Rock samphire looks as though it is not quite in flower even when it is! The flowers are cream or green and are umbrella shaped which is quite typical of the carrot family to which it belongs. Unlike other carrots however the leaves are very fleshy and this helps it store moisture and so thrive where other flowers cannot. It is also known as sea fennel and sea asparagus or just plain samphire but the name samphire is also used for other seaside plants such as glasswort. There is also a golden samphire which is totally unrelated.  This was once a popular food plant and was harvested and ...
Read more

For my walk ... the Knowle

-
Image
  For my walk on Sunday afternoon I thought I would take a closer look at the Knowle which I previously paid a casual visit to about a month ago, not long after I arrived here in Sidmouth. As far as I can tell this area is the garden of Knowle House which was once one of the most prestigious houses in Sidmouth with extensive gardens but subsequent conversion into a hotel and then to East Devon Council offices has meant some of the grounds have been lost to the enlarged building and areas of access road and car parking. The house is now empty but I see has been acquired by McCarthy and Stone for conversion into luxury apartments for the over 60s. The gardens are currently a public park but whether this will change with the new development I do not know. Anyway, to the natural interest of the site which is why I visited. The area seems to fall into two sections; the 'formal' gardens to the front of the house and a more 'informal' section alongside the main road from the t...
Read more

Dogs Mercury

-
Image
Dogs Mercury Peter Orchard Tue, 01/31/2023 - 19:45 * Read more about Dogs Mercury * 4 views Species Photograph Title: Dog's Mercury: The Enigmatic Woodland Dweller In the shaded understory of woodlands across Europe, a subtle yet intriguing plant quietly carpets the forest floor: dog's mercury (Mercurialis perennis). Despite its unassuming appearance, this native perennial herb holds a place of significance in woodland ecosystems, offering insights into the intricate web of life that thrives beneath the canopy. Join us as we explore the captivating world of dog's mercury, uncovering its botanical features, ecological roles, and cultural connections. Botanical Overview: Dog's mercury, scientifically known as Mercurialis perennis, belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is native to Europe, where it is commonly found in deciduous woodlands, hedgerows, and shady habitats. This herbaceous perennial plant grows f...
Read more