A Short Trip to Kew

[Maren]

I had some business at the Kew Herbarium so took the opportunity to look at the autumn colours in Kew - truly breathtaking - and some other favourites. The wind was blowing hence my pictures may be a bit wobbly. But I love the place, it is so well laid out, exciting views round every corner.

This is what I saw on my way to the Alpine section:

[Maren]

Inside the house, things are getting more settled. Here is a selection:

Androcymbium gramineum
Arisarum vulgare - the pot was a good 2 ft across
Arisarum vulgare closeup

By the way, they now have a minder in the Alpine House, a chap not in uniform. When I saw him checking the ventilation pipes, I asked him if he worked there and he said yes. He then kindly pulled out labels for me so that I was able to photograph them together with the plants.

Centaurea clementei
Crocus goulimii - this was represented in many colour forms
Crocus laeviegatus

[Maren]

Finally,

Ipheion hirtellum
ditto with bee
Polyxena corymbosa
Strumaria gigantea - I really liked the foliage

Don't have a name for the last one, if you can help I'd be grateful.

Altogether, things are looking better in the Kew Alpine House, but as there is so little space, it will probably always show the more common and decorative varieties. I'll try to have a look behind the scenes next times I visit.

[ranunculus]

Certainly an Oxalis, Maren ... but I can't remember which.

[Maren]

Oxalis, of course, Cliff, just noticed the little bit of label at the bottom left hand side and looked at the IPNI. But a wild card search for Oxalis hi* came up with 32 entries, so maybe someone out there knows more.

[Maggi Young]

I think it is Oxalis hirta, Maren.

[Maren]

Thank you Maggi, I'm happy with that.

[Lvandelft]

I think it is Oxalis hirta, Maren.

Yes it is and in this case Oxalis hirta Gothenburg.  O. hirta (in culture) is pink.

[Maren]

You've got it, Luit, one can just see one or two letters on the bit of label.

[Lesley Cox]

We have that form of O. hirta here in NZ and always have had, without any other name attached. A paler form is much less common.

The trees are wonderful and that looks like a very good orangey/red behind and to the right of the first one. I like Diane's Centaurea too. (If it really were, would it be C. clementiana?)