Reg's Meadow in June has a very lush, green appearance. The meadow grasses have grown tall and are in full bloom, with many different colours and forms. On a breezy day, and there are many of those up here at the top of the grounds, the foliage is moving and swaying constantly.

Bird's Foot Trefoil

The only obvious splashes of colour among the green are swathes of tall ox-eye daisies and the lower, yellow patches of bird's foot trefoil. Seen more closely the buds of the trefoil are deep red, opening to orange or bright yellow flowers. The ox-eye daisies attract many insects and these are easy to see on the large white flowers.

Ox-eye Daisy

The green beetle shown here is a male Oedemera nobilis (the female does not have the swellings on the hind legs) and the smaller black and red one is probably Anthicus antherinus! There are many different insects in the meadow, some of them very pretty, so, if you have the time and a magnifying glass, see what you can find.

Quaking Grass	Yorkshire Fog

Two of the most attractive grasses are Yorkshire Fog and Quaking Grass. Yorkshire Fog is covered in soft hairs, giving the whole plant a velvety feel. The flowering spike can vary in colour from almost white to a pinkish purple. Quaking Grass (also called Totter Grass) has tiny cone-like spikelets, which hang down like small lanterns. The colour of the spikelets can vary from very pale to a reddish purple.

 

 

The trees in Patrick's Wood are now in full leaf and growing strongly. In Huckle's Copse one or two trees suffered badly from browsing by deer and have not survived but the others are doing well. Along the hedgerows there are delicate pink dog roses and the large flat heads of elderflower blossom.

The ploughed strips are filling with new growth. Among the most vigorous species coming through are scarlet pimpernel, charlock, field pansy, sun spurge and fumitory, all taking advantage of the light, open space before the more dominant species crowd them out. All these species are already present elsewhere in the meadow but are much more difficult to find among the taller plants.

Scarlet Pimpernel	Charlock	Field Pansy	Sun Spurge

The bedstraw, wild marjoram, yarrow, wild carrot and thistles are all still in bud but growing strongly. These are among the most dominant plants in the meadow and will burst into flower in the coming weeks. Among the plants already in bloom are kidney vetch, red and white clover, black medick, meadow buttercup, salad burnet and the creamy greenish spikes of wild mignonette.

Kidney Vetch	White Clover	Salad Burnet	Wild Mignonette

The swallows, seen here in a photograph taken in May, are in the air all around the park. Pheasants can be heard calling at the far end of the meadow all through the day. Both the pheasants and grey partridges are using the high ground cover to good advantage and remain hidden from view, only occasionally flying out with loud alarm calls if disturbed.

Featured Flower - Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis)

A native annual found on disturbed soil in waste places and dry field edges. It is found in temperate regions all over the world. The stems run along the ground in various directions but the leaves always turn to face towards the light. The flowers are very sensitive to weather conditions and close up if the sky clouds over and rain threatens. Even on bright days they will only stay open for a few hours, closing tightly by mid-afternoon. The flowers are usually red but a deep blue variety is sometimes found in Britain and flesh-coloured or white blooms occasionally occur.

Alternative names include Shepherd's Barometer, Poor Man's Weatherglass and Adder's Eyes.

The generic name Anagallis comes from the Greek word anagelao meaning 'to laugh' and in ancient times the plant was reputed to affect the brain and dispel sadness. Pliny described it as being effective in the treatment of liver complaints, which were apparently often followed by depression. Other old medicinal uses include the treatment of stings, diseases of the eyes, drawing out splinters and as a remedy for the bites of mad dogs! The juice of the plant was used to cleanse the skin of blemishes and freckles and was thought to be useful against witchcraft.

In next month's page we will give details of the results of the 2005 Wild Flower Count on July 3^rd, in which we hope to be able to add to the list of species identified in the meadow so far.