Flowering this month is the Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), a common native plant well known for its egg-shaped flower heads which persist throughout the winter and are a favourite in dried flower displays. Teasels can grow up to 3m tall and are biennial, the first year producing a rosette of leaves on the ground which has been compared to goose skin. The tiny tightly-packed purple flowers appear first in the middle of the head, and are a magnet for bees.
They grow in a wide range of habitats but are often on dry or poor ground. Rainwater collects where the leaves meet the stem, which has given them the alternative name of Venus’ basin. In folklore this water was said to have healing properties, in particular as a remedy for sore eyes. The generic name (Dipsacus) comes from the Greek word for thirst.
The whole stem is thorny, as is the main vein under the pointed leaves, and spiny bracts surround the flower head. The prickly dried heads were once used by fullers to comb woollen cloth, hence the specific name fullonum, and the common name comes from an Old English word meaning to pull apart. The seeds are popular with birds, especially goldfinches.
Also in the Teasel family are Small Teasel (less common), Small Scabious, Field Scabious and Devil’s-bit Scabious.
On 25th June Dr. Lizzie Wilberforce led us round the paths, parks and roads of Garnant and Glanamman. Unfortunately the afternoon began with a thunderstorm, but we were able to shelter in a polytunnel housing Devil’s Bit Scabious plants used for INCC’s Marsh Fritillary breeding project. We then walked through Golwg yr Aman park where we stopped to admire a wildflower meadow created simply by leaving it to develop naturally with just an annual cut.
Making our way through Gelliwerdd up the south side of the post-industrial valley, we emerged from another heavy shower to see the view across to Gorslas before walking back down a track into Glanamman and along the road where the verges had been planted with a wealth of wildflowers. We returned to our starting point via a winding path along the River Amman.
During our walk we found many orchids, heard a Grasshopper Warbler, and saw strands of the unusual Sausage Beard-lichen hanging from a larch tree.
On July 9th we had a field trip to Berth Farm, Llandyry, led by Tasha Reilly who had bought the 70 acres of land last November. We met her three Oxford Sandy & Black piglets before walking through meadows of flowers to a field designated for rewilding. Proceeding downhill, we came to the 30 acre portion which is now subject to strict management controls to bring it back to its former condition as marshy grassland, a priority habitat. This is being achieved by light grazing from the nine Hereford cattle we met wearing “no fence” collars, controlled remotely by GPS. A ribbon of ancient woodland connects some of the fields and supports bluebells and snowdrops in the spring. Tasha aims to manage the farm sustainably for wildlife while still producing an income. We were grateful for the tea and cakes in the shade of the ruined farm buildings after our hot walk.
Further reports and photos from the above field trips on our Facebook page.
Tip of the month: Don’t be tempted to cut back hedges, bushes and long grass too early. All manner of insects and spiders will be using them to mate and nest, so inspect what you want to chop first!
What’s happening this month:
The Big Butterfly Count continues till 7th August; records can be submitted until the end of the month.
The Big Meadow Search runs until the end of August. You can examine any patch of wild grassland and record the plants you see. More info on the website, Facebook and twitter. Some of us had a go at this in the wild corner of Pwll Park and found over 50 species of plants in a couple of hours.
14th August: Our next field trip is to Pembrey Burrows where Laura Bowen will demonstrate the works completed as part of the Sands of LIFE project. 2.00pm at main Burrows entrance on Factory Road (SS41169961). All welcome.
20th August: Walk with a Warden at WWT Llanelli, focusing on dragonflies and damselflies. Meet 11.30 at info desk.
26th/28th August: Carmarthenshire Bird Club Tern Watch at Pembrey Old Harbour. Confirmation on website as weather dependent.
27th-28th August: International Bat Night. Details at bats.org.uk under “support bats” tab.
Coming up next month:
2nd September: our urban field trip with Ian Morgan who will show us the planted trees and shrubs at Parc Howard in Llanelli. Meet in front of the old mansion house 2.00pm.Info/comments: hainesveronica@hotmail.com. Website: www.llanellinaturalists.org.uk, Facebook: www.facebook.com/llanellinaturalists.
