Archive for September, 2023

Eyebrights etc.

September 27, 2023

Joanna has been looking at Euphrasia this year and her latest finds include the rather rare Euphrasia frigida x ostenfeldii. Originally thought to be found only on Rum, the hybrid is now known from a few scattered locations in Scotland. Also, what the referee says is the triple hybrid E. arctica x micrantha x scottica.

Seth has found Ulex gallii (Western Gorse) at a new site near Sligachan:

Ulex gallii (Western Gorse) Image S Gibson

and John has checked the grid reference for the single plant of Heracleum mantegazzianum (Giant Hogweed) on the roadside near Bernisdale earlier in the year. It is now past its prime and with luck will not give rise to a multitude of seedlings next year.

Heracleum mantegazzianum (Giant Hogweed) Image J Hawell

Micromoth & Muck

September 2, 2023

The pupa on Polystichum aculeatum (Hard Shield-fern) emerged last week and turns out to be Psychoides filicivora sometimes called Fern Smut.

Psychoides filicivora

At the time of writing nothing has emerged from the pupae from the adjacent Polypodium vulgare (Polypody), but it is highly likely to be the same species. This moth was first recorded in the British Isles in 1909 and is thought to have been brought in with imported ferns.

Neale has been to Muck and added Vulpia bromoides (Squirreltail Fescue) to the island list and also recorded the following species that had not been recorded since before 2000:

  • Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bitter-cress)
  • Lapsana communis (Nipplewort)
  • Sonchus oleraceus (Smooth Sow-thistle)
  • Valerianella locusta (Common Cornsalad)

Very helpful!