Saturday 2 June 2012

Plant Identification - 2


 Last Thursday's photograph of a delicate white flower attracted a lot of interest and some disagreement over its identification.  So here are some more pictures of the flower - but not, sadly, of the original, which has disappeared under bracken and brambles.  However, a little further down the road there were several growing in a south-facing bank, struggling to keep above the other mass of wildflowers.

The plant isn't common around here, this little group being the only one we could find.

The second photograph shows the stem and leaves.  This is about 8", or 22cm, high, the leaves being bladed - veery like grass leaves.

2 comments:

  1. Thank you Jon.
    I still believe it is Stellaria holostea.Greater stichwort.

    Quote from this link...

    "Narrow and lance-shaped, with the character of fresh, green grass, the leaves of Greater Stitchwort are arranged in opposite pairs, with each pair at 90 degrees to the pair below."

    http://paulkirtley.co.uk/2011/greater-stitchwort-stellaria-holostea/

    However, I think the main difference is the styles/ female parts.
    In Stellaria holostea there are 3, while in Cerastium arvense there are 5.
    Plantaholic Sheila.

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  2. In the Collins Nature Guide to Wild Flowers, there is a very clear photo of Greater Stichwort which shows the pointed leaves and also the flower buds which are shown in your photo. KFL

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