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Few flowered garlic (Allium paradoxum)

Ecclesall Woods walk: 4th April 2020

Perhaps setting a new record, the first English bluebell (Hyacinthodies non-scripta) flower was recorded in the Woods on 7th April. It was observed to be early and actually overlapped the flowering time of the wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa), which is unusual. The rest of these images are from a walk undertaken by FEW chair Marilyn Small on 4th April.

Bridle way leading from Limb Lane

Soft shield fern, uncommon in the woods; the very common broad buckler fern and common polypody that prefers growing in walls and on rocks.

Soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum)
Broad buckler-fern (Dryopteris dilatata)
Common polypody (Polypodium vulgare)
Few-flowered garlic is an import from Asia.  Although it is not often seen it can be invasive.  Can anyone confirm the first date this plant was recorded? White lungwort is an escape from gardens and is now naturalised in many parts of the UK.  It forms a carpet as you walk into the the woods; it is also at home growing in rocky crevices.
Few flowered garlic (Allium paradoxum)
Comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum)
Comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum)

Fenced area around “geology & mining” information board

This area has high concentrations of both wood anemone and lesser celandine, a testament to the effectiveness of using fencing for wildflower conservation.

Fenced area no. 16
Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna)

Fenced area between Whirlow Park Road back gardens and the bird sanctuary

This area was bare except for sawdust when first enclosed.  Now lesser celandine is gradually creeping in.

Fenced area no. 14
Fenced area no. 14

Footpath from Abbey Lane and Whirlowdale Road junction

Monkshood, aka wolfsbane, growing close to the garden fence and surrounded by brambles.  It is a native but not usually found in the woods. Be careful: monkshood is both poisonous and a skin irritant.

Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) in bramble (Rubus fruiticosa)
Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)