Family: Salicaceae
Common name: Shiny-leaved Willow
Scientific name: Salix x meyeriana
Date taken: 16/5/2024
Notes: Native species in the UK. Hybrid between the Bay Willow (S. pentandra) and Crack Willow (S. fragilis). Differs from the former by having 3-4 stamens rather than 5-8 stamens per flower. Differs from the latter by having glabrous and shiny young leaves.
This plant had a healthy dose of beetles munching on its leaves.
 |
| Hairless young leaves |
 |
| 3-4 stamens per flower |
Family: Geraniaceae
Common name: Wood Crane's-bill
Scientific name: Geranium sylvaticum
Date taken: 16/5/2024
Notes: Found on roadsides near pastures. Leaves large. Petals unnotched. Similar to Meadow Crane's-bill (G. pratense) but has blunter teeth on leaves.
Family: Ericaceae
Common name: Crowberry
Scientific name: Empetrum nigrum
Date taken: 12/5/2024
Notes: Common in heathlands. Leaves strongly recurved and rolls into a tube, giving them a succulent-like appearance. Two subspecies reported in the UK. Ssp. nigrum (2n=26) are dioecious, rarely producing bisexual flowers. Ssp. hermaphroditum (2n=52) produces bisexual flowers and are found in higher elevations. The following population is found in montane habitats in central Scotland with some plants consistently producing hermaphroditic flowers, so they may belong to the latter subspecies.
 |
| Bisexual flowers |
 |
| Bisexual (left) and female (right) flowers |
 |
| Female flowers and recurved leaves |
Family: Lycopodiaceae
Common name: Alpine Clubmoss
Scientific name: Diphasiastrum alpinium
Date taken: 12/5/2024
Notes: Population found on montane habitats at high elevation. Branches form a palm-like growth form. Microphylls more appressed to stem compared to other more common clubmosses. Sporangia on unstalked cones.
Family: Lycopodiaceae
Common name: Fir Clubmoss
Scientific name: Lycopodium annotinum
Date taken: 12/5/2024
Notes: Population found on montane heathlands and blanket bogs. Sporangia on unstalked cones. Each year's growth distinguished by shorter microphylls produced during the end of the growth season, which leads to the interrupted appearance.
Family: Lycopodiaceae
Common name: Stag's-horn Clubmoss
Scientific name: Lycopodium clavatum
Date taken: 12/5/2024
Notes: Found on montane heathlands and blanket bogs. Less upright and more branched compared to Fir Clubmoss (Huperzia selago). Characterised by its hairy white tips of branches. With distinctive cones that resemble a stag's horn.
Family: Lycopodiaceae
Common name: Fir Clubmoss
Scientific name: Huperzia selago
Date taken: 12/5/2024
Notes: Found on montane heathlands and blanket bogs. Sporangia tucked in the base of microphylls (leaves) and do not form distinctive cones. Bud-like plantlets form on axils.
Family: Ericaceae
Common name: Trailing Azalea
Scientific name: Kalmia procumbens
Date taken: 12/5/2024
Notes: Mat forming shrub in montane habitats. Prefers microhabitats with shallow soils and exposed rocks. Leaves opposite. A bit early for flowers but lucky to see one in bloom.
Family: Portulacaceae / Montiaceae (APG)
Common name: Pink Purslane
Scientific name: Claytonia sibirica
Date taken: 16/5/2024
Notes: This population was found on riverbanks, with white or pink flowers
