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| Plants of the Month |
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| Black poplar (Populus nigra) |
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This tree was probably a native species but its desirability as wood used in the production of carts amongst other things led to an increase of planting of imported stock. It used to be a feature of river floodplains with its stronghold occurring round the river Severn. The tree is a familiar feature of paintings in East Anglia by John Constable. It is a large tree up to 30 metres with a deeply fissured grey-brown bark. Its toothed leaves are alternate with a flat stalk and ending in a marked tip.
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| Burdocks (Greater and lesser Arctium lappa and A. minus) |
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The other ingredient of dandelion and burdock, this plant is large and sturydt with oval heart shaped leaves. The seedheads have distinct hooked spines enabling them to be carried away by animals. Observing this feature and the adherence of the seeds to clothing prompted the development of Velcro.
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| Common reed (Phragmites australis) |
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This is the UK's tallest grass which grows world-wide in damp places along river banks. It has tough stiff stems which last through the winter. In East Anglia it's cut between Christmas and spring for us in thatching. Increasingly its ability to absorb materials is leading to the development of reed beds as a means of sewage treatment.
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| Marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) |
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Marram grass is a familiar sight on British dune systems. Also known as the sea reed it produces a root system which enables the sand to stabilise and to prevent erosion. It rots down adding nutrients to the dunes thus permitting other plants to grow. It has sharp edges and the leaves can roll up to prevent water loss. It flowers from June to August.
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| Red campion (Silene dioica) |
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In warmer parts of Britain this plant may be seen in every month of the year. It prefers rich soils along hedgerows or the edge of woods. Its flowers consist of 5 deeply notched petals which are a bright pink/red colour and its hairy leaves have opposite leaves.
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