The plants are beginning to move and show themselves as the days are getting longer. As I walked through Radipole this morning I came across a patch of Sweet Violets in full flower. This is our only fragrant violet.
Next was a hawthorn tree in full leaf. On closer inspection there were flower buds nearly ready to burst among the hawthorn leaves.
.
Nearby the blackthorn blossom is starting to come into flower providing a stark contrast with the dark twigs and branches. The flowers always appear before the leaves
In the hedgerow the goat willow buds were starting to burst along the branches.
By the path the Lesser Celandines are coming into flower. An easily recognised member of the Buttercup Family with its glossy green heart shaped leaves and waxy yellow flowers.
Down by the Visitor Centre the umbels of the Alexanders are emerging. The large glossy dark green leaves are in threes and this is the first of the Umbellifer Family to start flowering.
Nearby a very early Cow Parsley is also beginning to flower. Late April is the normal flowering time for this species. The leaves of the Cow Parsley have been appearing around the reserve since January.
Over on Lodmoor a large patch of Coltsfoot is starting to bloom along the verge. The flowers always appear before the leaves. Coltsfoot is one of the earliest plants to flower and one of the heralds of spring.
Also flowering on Lodmoor is one of the smaller plants, the Ground Ivy with its blue violet flowers is starting to make an appearance by the paths. It won't be long now when the Weymouth Wetlands is once again awash with flowers.
It's all good - and essential reading for botanically challenged people like myself.
What a lovely read - I just wish I could remember the names better.
Great stuff Naomi. Spring is rushing along with double figure reports of sand martins on Radipole and Lodmoor and migrant waders starting to move through.
Angelica, a great round-up of early flowerers, look forward to more of your most informative blogs.
Seize the day!