Friends and foes(picheavy)

[stuart f]

Hi folks,i was out yesterday and got snap happy,i thought these pics might be of some interest.I've added links to help also.

WARNING Don't play around with Umbellifers as some species are very poisonous.

Anyway,first up an arty farty shot.

Next we have a friend,Sweet Cicely(Myrrhis odorata).When identifying this plant i use several plant characteristics. If you look at the centre of the leaves there are white patches.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicely
As you can see in this photo.

Also the seed cases are large and oblong,as in this photo.

Plus when the plant is crushed it smells strongly of Aniseed.

Next there was Wild Angelica(Angelica sylvestris).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Angelica
The leaves.

And the flowering head about to bloom.

And some foes.

Rough Chervil(Chaerophyllum temulentum). This plant is similar to Hemlock in that it has purple blotches on the stem,but it is a lot smaller plant compared to Hemlock,only reaching upto 80cms.The Latin for temulentum means drunkenness which is a symptom of poisoning by this plant.http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/image62837-myths.html.
Here are the umbels about to bloom,and you can make out the blotches on the stem.

Here you can see the purple blotched stem.

And one of the leaves.

Next we have Fools Parsley.One of its characteristics to look out for are the Bracts on the flowering heads.A Bract is simply a modified leave.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fool's_Parsley
Here you can see the flowering head with the Bracts hanging underneath.

And another shot of an unopened flower head with Bracts.

And a shot of the leaves.

Also i got some shots of another POISONOUS plant.Woody Nightshade or Bittersweet(Solanum dulcamara).Anyone who grows Tomatoes or Potatoes will recognize the flower shape as Bitter sweet is a member of the Tomato family.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_dulcamara
The flowers

Flowers and berries starting to show.

And a couple of friends
I also found Wild Musk Mallow.http://www.pfaf.org/leaflets/malva.php
And a couple of pics

Oh last but not least,i think we will be seeing lots of Sloe gin this year after last years poor crop.The bushes are absolutely hanging with them.

Phew,i hope this is of some help to some on here.

Cheers Stuart.

Again please don't play with poisonous plants as it could be detrimental to your health .

 

[Toddy]

Nicely done Stuart
Thanks for sharing

atb,
M

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

Some good pics and info there, cheers.

 

[Shewie]

Good thread, thanks for taking the time Stuart

 

[stooboy]

thanks for the info stuart, i need to find a sloe bush around me, i loved toddys slow whiskey at the new year meet.

 

[stuart f]

thanks for the info stuart, i need to find a sloe bush around me, i loved toddys slow whiskey at the new year meet.

Hi Stoo,we have had a huge glut of Strawberries from the allotment this year,so apart from the usual jam,the wife has made Strawberry ice cream,Strawberry parfait but we could not resist trying Strawberry Vodka for the first time,so it might turn up at a meetup sometime,if you get my drift

Cheers Stuart.

 

[Barn Owl]

Thanks Stuart, some useful tips there.
For me at least.

 

[dwardo]

Nice one for takin the time to get this together
I have been meaning start looking at umbellifers properly and this is a great starting aid.