Gemma de Gouveia
A common sight from March to October, these bright yellow flowers can be found in a variety of disturbed habitats, including, to the horror of some gardeners, the lawn. However, dandelions are an important early source of food for pollinators so why not leave some for the bees
Did you know, during the Second World War when coffee was very scarce, a substitute was made from the ground and roasted roots of dandelion?!
Daisies are one of the most widespread wild flowers and like yesterday’s dandelions can be found flowering almost all year round and are frequently in our garden lawns.
The leaves of the daisy grow in a rosette, almost flat to the ground so within a short time after cutting the lawn, they have produced a new flower. Daisies provide a valuable food source for hoverflies, honeybees and bumblebees
Did you know the name “daisy” derives from “day’s eye” referring to their tendency to open their flowers when the sun rises and close them when it sets
Lizzie Wilberforce
Common dog-violet has distinctive bluish-purple petals and heart-shaped leaves. It is a common plant most often found in woodlands and hedge banks but can also occur in pastures
Did you know “Dog” refers to the lack of scent, (as opposed to “sweet” violet). Dog is a common English prefix to distinguish an inferior species from its superior relative!
This is one of the first flowers to bloom and on the Island can often been found in a sheltered, warm, sunny spot on, New Year’s Day, by the height of summer, all evidence of this plant has disappeared!
The bright, yellow star-shaped flowers are 3cm across with 8-12 petals and glossy green heart shaped leaves that often carpet the ground in hedge banks and woodlands
Did you know lesser celandine was the favourite flower of the poet, Wordsworth not the daffodil as many assume?
See if you can spot this flower in MWT's Earystane Nature Reserve - https://www.mwt.im/nature-reserves/earystane
A plant with many common names, including Kingcups, marsh marigolds are a member of the buttercup family and a very ancient plant. The leaves are kidney-shaped and somewhat waxy to but can irritate the skin.
They are found in wet marshes and meadows and also in wet woodlands as they don’t mind the shade
See if you can spot these beautiful yellow flowers at MWTs' Ballachurry Nature Reserve! https://www.mwt.im/nature-reserves/ballachurry
Flowering in wonderful abundance in hedgerows around the Island at the moment, these beautiful pale-yellow flowers are a sure sign that spring is on its way!
The name derives from the Latin prima rosa meaning “first rose” of the year although they are not in fact part of the rose family!
Vaughn Matthews
A common sight in spring on hedgerows, along lanes and in woodlands, the white flowers of the greater stitchwort are about 2-3cm across, with five petals divided about half way down. The leaves are very narrow with no stalks and rough edges
Plants with the suffix “wort”, often had a medicinal use. The name “Stitchwort” is thought to come from the belief that it cured side-stitch caused by exercise.
Look out for stitchwort if you are visiting MWT's Ballachurry Nature Reserve! https://www.mwt.im/nature-reserves/ballachurry
