Author: Nevil Hutchinson
New Year Plant Hunt
As many of you are probably aware by now, the BSBI has been running a recording exercise in the days around New Year’s Day – from 30th December to the […]
Cynoglossum officinale (Hound’s-tongue)
Nick Sturt pointed this out to me when we came across the rosette leaves of this biennial in chalk grassland. The leaves smell like peanuts when crushed. The books describe […]
Centaurea nigra vs Centaurea debeauxii
Many of us know about C. debeauxii (Chalk Knapweed), but few of us have the confidence to identify it. There are very good reasons for this. These same reasons apply […]
Cardamine hirsuta vs Cardamine flexuosa
We soon learn that one of the distinguishing differences between this pair is the number of stamens. One usually has four and the other six. Remembering such dichotamous features can […]
Polypodium vulgare vs Polypodium interjectum
While these species do exhibit morphological differences, the reality is that identification can only be made with a high level of confidence if the sporangia are examined under magnification (usually […]
Changing Chalk – a new National Trust initiative
Changing Chalk is a new initiative by the National Trust to restore and conserve chalk grassland in its care. They are looking for volunteers and interested parties to join them […]
Southease
Meeting date: 3 July 2022 (Leader: Nevil Hutchinson) The hot, dry summer stressed not only plants, but the leader of the meeting: in the weeks beforehand he kept seeing tractors […]
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) is familiar to most of us, being common throughout the county (and country). To the uninitiated or novice botanist, it appears to be a member of the […]
Daucus carota (Wild Carrot)
SxPOTW is back after its summer break with a plant that has been catching my attention since we left off at the beginning of August: Daucus carota (Wild Carrot). Is […]
Wahlenbergia hederacea (Ivy-leaved Bellflower)
Last week’s Sussex Plant of the Week (#SxPOTW) was a widespread heathland species which is easy to see when you wander around. In stark contrast, this week’s plant, whilst also […]