Fred's Carnivorous Plants and other oddities

[fredg]

 I was checking liverworts this morning and noticed this trio happily growing together. Conocephalum salebrosum, Lunularia cruciata and Riccardia chamedryfolia. I'm calling it the Portland Mix



They're in the Portland Park video but it's not that obvious that there are the three together

[fredg]

A natural Fernery encountered on today's peramble along the River Meden. A good display of native Asplenium.



More to come 

[fredg]

Some of the Liverworts encountered during today's peramble in Pleasley Vale and along the River Meden.

[fredg]

A few more additions to the fernery. Some Dryopteris that were begging me to buy them.

1. Dryopteris affinis cristata 'The King'

2. Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa'

3. Dryopteris erythrosora

4. Dryopteris erythrosora, new frond



It's unfair when they have a very low price on them, what chance do I have to resist?

[fredg]

I found a few of my old (forgotten) photos on a CD. These must be 10 years old but they still get the plants excited

1. Calliphora vomitoria

2. Lucilia sericata / Phaenicia sericata

3. Sarcophaga sp

4. Eupeodes luniger



Lucilia sericata  / Phaenicia sericata



The images cleaned up quite nicely I thought.

[fredg]

On my fairly frequent perambles if I come across a new area of Bryophytes I take a small sample ( around 2cm x 2 cm) for identification. It saves lying on the ground with a x10 or X20 loupe or constantly bending down. ( The bending down is easy it's the getting up again.) I do keep some of these small samples if I've been unable to identify the plants and add them all to a tray with the location. It's amazing how some plants adapt very quickly.
This is representative one such tray, it's from this week.

[David Nicholson]

I found a few of my old (forgotten) photos on a CD. These must be 10 years old but they still get the plants excited

1. Calliphora vomitoria

Pleasant name really?

[fredg]

I thought it was rather apt David

[fredg]

This handsome it was enjoying a nibble at a sultana so I gave it a corner of bread (wholemeal of course). I think the bread was preferred 

[Maggi Young]

Crikey Fred, you'll be making that slug  bread and butter pudding next.  Taking him to the cinema tomorrow? 

[fredg]

They prefer their bread without trinmings Maggi. Oh yes, it's an it not a him or a her.

[Maggi Young]

Mmm, perhaps it's not me or you, rather it is us.......      Complicated lives these things lead eh? It certainly makes 'em hungry 

[fredg]

A new growth spotted on my return from the far north in the Fernery. A fungus seems to have made itself at home in the old Eucalyptus trunk I use to support the bird feeders on one outside edge of the Fernery. It looks quite good through the bottom of the Azalea.

[Chris Johnson]

Hi Fred

It's a Mycena but with over 100 species in the UK, I doubt we will get any further without microscopy.

[fredg]

I have a very good microscope Chris but it's lacking the knowledgeable person ( fungi) on the viewing end.