Monday 7 November 2016

In Bloom

The thrift clinging to cracks in the limestone blocks along the Ormsaigbeg shoreline are as confused about the seasons as some of the shrubs in our garden: several were in full bloom today. Also known as sea pink, Armeria maritima is described as flowering in early summer, between April and July.

It's probably quite incorrect to describe a lichen as being 'in bloom' but the startling yellows of this golden shield lichen, Xanthoria parietina, are as spectacular as any flower.

Nor, I suppose, can fungi be in bloom, but this one stood out in the short, sheep-cropped grass on the common grazings to the west of Ormsaigbeg. A similar specimen caused some interest a month ago - see blog here.

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