Monday, 16 March 2009

First flowers of the year

Two flowers are properly out now, the spurge known as Mrs Robb's bonnet (Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae) and the native early dog-violet (Viola reichenbachiana).     20090316 KWR 007 20090316 KWR 001

The violet can be distinguished not only by its early flowering, but from the paler, more mauve tinged blossoms with a dark spur behind.

The violet is a British native and both were introduced to the reserve some years back, but persist happily and without asking too many questions.