More Hampshire Wildflowers

Some more wildflowers from around Hampshire in the last week.

This is Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage, much less common than its relative Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage and one I've never been able to find up until now. Once seen though it is quite obviously different, especially in being larger and more brightly coloured with toothed leaves.

The yellow is very intense and the bracts glossy

Here it is with Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage (small flowers on left)

Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage - Chrysosplenium alternifolium

  

Purple Toothwort - Lathraea clandestina

 

 Usually seen growing on the ground parasitising tree roots this clump was actually in the fork of a willow tree several feet above ground.

This is American Skunk Cabbage an invasive species which I believe is due to be eradicated from many areas. It is a very beautiful plant and looks spectacular but boy does it stink! It is probably one of the worst plants I've smelt (the worst is Hedge Woundwort - Hideous!!) The odour filled the whole woodland in the heat of the sun and made me feel quite nauseous. The smell made me want to leave but the visual delight made me want to stay.

With the light behind it you can see where it got its alternative name of Swamp Lantern 

American Skunk Cabbage -  Lysichiton americanus

Shepherd's Cress and Little Mouse-ear 

 

Shepherd's Cress has characteristic flowers with two large and two small petals 

Shepherd's Cress - Teesdalia nudicaulis 

Thale Cress - Arabidopsis thaliana 

Field Woodrush - Luzula campestris

Spring Beauty - Claytonia perfoliata

Mousetail - Myosurus minimus

Ivy-leaved Speedwell - Veronica hederifolia

Wall Speedwell -  Veronica arvensis