We join a London Natural History Society (LNHS) Walk collecting Records in the Orpington area (LB of Bromley) for the London Flora Project

We joined a London Natural History Society (LNHS) Walk collecting Records in the Orpington area (LB of Bromley) for the London Flora Project.

Not unexpectedly, we were massively Out of our Depth: Plants were invariably referred to by their Latin Names which tended to leave us generally flummoxed.

We reckon on seeing 70% or so of the Birds proper Bird People (or in truth, almost Anyone really) see while out looking for Birds. But when it comes to Wild Flowers, we reckon the comparable figure is way below 50%!

Despite all of that however, we managed to enjoy ourselves and were able to further develop our understanding of the World of Wild Flower' Recording.

Nevertheless, and despite our considerable Limitations, our Solitary Walks are the ones we enjoy most. And, surely always will.

Plants seen (the majority on Roadside' Grass Verges) included:

Bird's-Foot Trefoil viz.

Buck's-Horn Plantain
Bush Vetch
Common Horsetail
Common Stork's-Bill viz.

Common Vetch viz.

Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill (including Plants with white flowers) viz.

Germander Speedwell viz.

Ivy-Leaved Speedwell viz.

Little-Robin viz.

Musk Stork's-Bill viz.

Opium Poppy
Pineapple Weed viz.

Red Clover
Red Valerian (also the White Flowered Variety) viz.

Slender Speedwell
White Clover viz.

Wild Clary viz.

Winter Heliotrope
Wood Speedwell viz.

and Yellow Archangel

We wander around on the Crayford Marshes (or at least, what is left of them and that ain't much)

Although a somewhat Overcast Day it was quite Warm and there was lots to see viz.

And we were given Proof, as if that was really needed, that Fairies do actually exist viz.

Of Great/Wild Lettuce, Navelworts and Sundry Others

We waited until it started Raining before setting forth to view the local Navelworts! It started as a Gentle Drizzle and didn't really stop until we got back Home.

Just before arriving at the Navelworts we took a Brief Detour and found a Great/Wild Lettuce viz.

We knew it was one having seen another one a few days earlier (the first we had knowingly seen).

The Navelworts were still there viz.

We are probably being Neurotic but we always wonder if they will be there the next time we visit!

Then, en-route to do a spot of Shopping &c. we visited the Burial Grounds of Our Lady of the Angels, Erith: it was still Raining.

Plant' Species seen (thirty plus) included:

Barren Strawberry (no longer flowering) viz.

Black Medick viz.

Bluebell
Bush Vetch viz.

Common Mouse-Ear

Common Vetch
Field Wood-Rush
Germander Speedwell viz.

Mouse-Ear Hawkweed
Perennial Cornflower viz.

Pot Marigold (possibly initially planted)
Primrose (possibly initially planted)
Scarlet Pimpernel viz.

Sheep's Sorrel
White Stonecrop
Wood Anemone
various Grasses viz.

and Cock's-Foot.

We also saw a Sage-like Plant (Wood Sage?) viz.

and a Pencilled Geranium viz.

Although whether planted or not will forever remain a Mystery.

Clouds often have a Silver Lining

Not always of course but probably more often than not. And so it proved when we went in search of Common Stork's-Bill in a Monad we are covering (we recently submitted some Records to the Kent Botanical Recording Group). We had seen Common Stork's-Bill there last year but we couldn't find any this year although we wil go back for another look.

But finding a largish population of Springbeauty more than made up for any disappointment we may have felt viz.

The first time we have knowingly seen Springbeauty locally: and only the second time we have ever knowingly seen it viz. the previous time being last year on Dartford Heath.