On the White Cliffs of Dover

[johnralphcarpenter]

On the main footpath between Folkestone and Dover. Lots of plants here, most of which I could identify - masses of Restharrow, Oregano, etc etc, but we found one single lone clump of something which puzzled us. I need a better camera! Damned autofocus. So here are two out of focus pictures of the mystery plant. Around 5cm high, flowers bright pink with prominent yellow anthers, around 1cm across, cluster of flowers surrounded by yet to open deep pink bullet shaped buds, leave lanceolate and opposite, tightly gripping stem. My best guess is Centaurium species. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Maggi Young]

Just found that Centaurium pulchellum is found in that part of Kent  http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/Kent%27s%20Wildlife%20Book.pdf

  re C. pulchellum ...  " It differs from Centaurium erythraea by lacking basal rosette of leaves and by having a developed peduncle below the flowers."

[johnralphcarpenter]

Thanks Maggi, it was small so perhaps that's it.

[Yann]

Ralph i think they're the same of our coasts : Centaurium littorale.
it can also be Centaurium erythraea taller than littorale.
I was in front of you yesterday in the Dunes Marchand and zwin:)

[johnralphcarpenter]

Went back to the White Cliffs on Saturday to take more photographs. Blazing hot (well ,for here - 30C) and sunny. First some context:

The Channel

France

Samphire Hoe - a new piece of land created from the spoil dug out to make the Channel Tunnel.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Found another little Centaurium - probably Centaurium pulchellum?. Also two plants with a bad reputation; Woody Nightshade, Solanum dulcamara, and Ragwort, Senecio jacobaea.

[johnralphcarpenter]

There was lots of the Everlasting Pea along the track, but which Lathyrus species? Not the usual pink flowers. Also quite a lot of the second plant - is this Wall Germander, Teucrium chamaedrys?

Edit 25th August: Second plant identified by Matt T as Red Bartsia, Odontites vernus. Lathyrus thought to be Lathyrus latifolia.

[johnralphcarpenter]

At one point amongst some WW2 ruins was this huge rose bush. Not a wild species - Rosa canina flowers here in June, and the flowers are too big and too red, but attractive none the less.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Wild cabbage, Brassica oleracea, and Wild Marjoram, Oreganum vulgare, are very frequent along the cliff top. Makings of a meal here.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Approaching Dover, Round Down is National Trust land that is grazed by ponies. Lots of Field Scabious, Knautia arvensis, and Harebells, Campanula rotundifolia, here. At least I think it is Knautia arvensis!

[johnralphcarpenter]

One not welcome in gardens and very frequent here is Field Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis . Nice flower. Also frequent patches of Viper's Bugloss, Echium vulgare.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Finally, is this a Lamium? And Fuller's Teasle, Dipsacus fullonum, very popular with bees. And thistles - lots of them.

Edit 25th August: Not a Lamium, but Black Horehound Ballota nigra - thanks again to Matt T.

[Matt T]

Also quite a lot of the second plant - is the Wall Germander, Teucrium chamaedrys?

Hi Ralph, this one is red bartsia Odontites vernus a hemiparasitic plant related to yellow rattle.

[Matt T]

There was lots of the Everlasting Pea along the track, but which Lathyrus species? Not the usual pink flowers.

I'd say this is L. latifolius, with the winged stems. Flower colour is variable.

[Matt T]

Finally, is this a Lamium?

This one looks like the black horehound Ballota nigra, a close relative of the Lamiums.