35
(Metrioptera roeselii).
Ted Benton
The party did not neglect the plants and
several interesting aquatic species were seen.
The easily identifiable Yellow Water Lily
(Nuphar lutea) and White Water Lily (Nymphaea
alba) were conspicuous, as were the Amphibious
Bistort (Polygonum amphibium) with floating
leaves and the colourful Flowering Rush
(Butomus umbellatus). The Arrowhead, with
its characteristic leaves (Sagittaria
sagittifolia) , the Bur-reed (Sparganium
erectum) with its branched inflorescence and
the Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) with its
tangerine smelling leaves, were all found.
The Lesser Reedmace (Typha angustifolia) was
recognised by the piece of bare stem between
the male and female parts of the spike.
Several members of the Scrophulariaceae
were recorded including Brooklime (Veronica
beccabunga) and Water Betony (Scrophularia auric-
ulata) with its brownish purple wasp pollinated
flowers. The more bristly Boraginaceae was
represented by that plant of many uses Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale). The differences
between Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
with its membranous ligule and dense inflorescence
and the true reed (Phragmites australis) with
its ligule of hairs were seen. The yellow daisy-
like composite Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica)
and the purple spikes of Purple Loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria) were seen. Other species
included Meadow Sweet (Filipendula ulmaria),
Water Chickweed (Myosoton aquaticum), Great
Hairy Willow Herb (Epilobium hirsutum) and
Marsh Woundwort (Stachys palustris).
Tony Boniface