Asteraceae – Nature Journeys

Sicilian Chamomile

Anthemis punctata ssp cupaniana

At the start of a 4 mile walk around the Great Orme from the West Shore, I discovered these beautiful flowers growing on the cliff faces. In the first two images you can see the rock strewn beach below. It is usually found in southern climes, and here, on the Great Orme, it is at one of its most northerly outposts. Mainly a garden plant, it usually only naturalises by the sea, which it has appeared to have done so here.

Also called ‘Dog Fennel’, it is an evergreen perennial with mats of intricately shaped leaves which are mostly silvery in the growing season. Apparently they give off a pungent aromatic scent when warmed by the sun. Hasten to say, I couldn’t smell anything on the day which was overcast.

Sicilian Chamomile (Anthemis punctata ssp cupaniana), West Shore of the Great Orme, Llandudno, Wales. April 2017.

04/17 by Peter Hillman Categories: Llandudno, Macro Photography, Nature Photography, Photography, Places, Plants, Wild Flowers, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Anthemis punctata ssp cupaniana, Asteraceae, Flower, Flowers, Great Orme, Llandudno, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Sicilian Chamomile, Sicilian Chamomile Anthemis punctata ssp cupaniana, Wales, West Shore Llandudno, Wild Flowers, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 14 Comments

Canadian Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

I have always grown this most beautiful golden perennial which seems to hold the rays of the sun within its petals. It attracts nectar loving insects like hoverflies and bees, and as an attractive garden ornamental grown in many a garden, it has also managed to escape the fence and can be found naturalised in the wild.

The golden-yellow flower heads are on numerous horizontal branches which decrease in size up the stem. The leaves are many and lance-shaped with toothed margins. This is a tall plant which can grow up to 2m (6ft 7in) in height.

It flowers August to October, and is found naturalised on roadsides, railway embankments, wasteland and field margins. Originally native to North America, it has become fairly common throughout England, lesser so elsewhere.

Photographs of Canadian Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), taken July 2016, front garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D3200, with Nikon 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens.

07/1607/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Garden, Garden Flowers, Nature Photography, Plants, Wild FlowersTags: Asteraceae, Canadian Goldenrod, Flower, Flowers, Garden, Garden Flowers, Nature, Nature Photography, Solidago canadensis, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 5 Comments

Daisy

Bellis perennis

Also called the ‘Lawndaisy’, this is a familiar small daisy. The solitary flower has a yellow central disc surrounded by white petals which are tinged pink on the undersides. The spoon-shaped leaves are hairy and are often crowded into a tight rosette. Plant height 5 to 10cm. Flower size 1.5 to 2.5cm wide

It flowers all year round, and is found almost anywhere, in lawns, embankments, pastures, meadows and roadsides. A common and widespread species throughout.

Photographs taken 2014 and 2015, front verge, Staffordshire.