James Common

Comparing Insect ID Apps for Budding Entomologists

With several apps out there to choose from, just where do you turn when trying to identify a troublesome insect?

My previous post focusing on the best plant identification apps has quickly turned into one of my highest preforming blogs ever with some 15,500 views to date. It seems that has technology improves, and mobile apps become a permanent part of the naturalist’s arsenal, there is a growing desire to find the best digital assistant for wildlife recording on the go. Cue a new post!

Photo-based apps are growing in popularity across all wildlife groups and despite some turning their noses up at the idea, they are here to stay and have the possibility to engage and encourage an incredibly diverse audience. From teachers and students to citizen scientists and even, dare I say it, established naturalists, many are turning to apps to identify puzzling finds, confirm their identifications and corroborate identifications made using field guides. Moreover, technology is developing all of the time meaning apps previous dismissed as inaccurate are growing ever more reliable.

Apps associated with plants and birds are fairly commonplace and many people use them, but less discussed is the possibility of using apps to identify insects – perhaps the most diverse and tricky group of all. Despite the challenges of insect identification, there are several apps out there designed to demystify the process. In this post, I thought I would run a little experiment comparing some of the most popular…

First, some ground rules

One image only – some apps allow for multiple images but we’ll not be doing that here
Decent(ish) images – Poor quality images, lacking key features, pose problems for even the best apps (and naturalists!)
Verified species – apps will be tested only on species with a confirmed ID courtesy of an expert verifier
Native species only – I wanted to test this on insects likely to be encountered in the UK.

Meet the Insect App Test subjects

Oak Bush-cricket (Meconema thalassinum)
Brown China-mark (Elophila nymphaeata)
Patchwork Leafcutter Bee (Megachile centuncularis)
Platycheirus rosarum – a hoverfly
Riponnensia splendens – a hoverfly
Larch Ladybird (Aphidecta obliterata)
Capsus ater – a true bug

While some of these are easier than others, I have resisted the urge to include extremely common and familiar species which most apps will surely get right. Instead, the range of insect groups included should hopefully put our candidate apps to the test.

Oak Bush-cricket
(*Meconema thalassinum*)

Comparing Insect Apps

Apps that identify the insect as their first choice will receive 1 point. If the correct insect is identified but shown as an outlying choice, we’ll deduct points for each subsequent tier. For example, Larch Ladybird coming in as the 4th most likely option would early 0.6 points. I may give extra points in some places if the apps manage to impress me…

	Oak Bush-cricket	Brown China-mark	Patchwork Leafcutter Bee	Platycheirus rosarum	Riponnensia splendens	Larch Ladybird	Capsus ater	Score (0-6)
ObsIdentify	✔ 1	✔1	✔ 0.9	✔ 1	✔ 1	✔ 1	✔ 1	6.9/7
Seek	✖	✔1	✖ 0.2 (It did get the family!)	✖	✖	✖	✖	0.2/7
Picture Insect	✔ 1	✔ 1	✔ 1	✔1	✖	✔ 1	✔ 1	6/7
Google Lens	✔ 1	✔ 1	✖ 0.2 (again, it got the family)	✖ 0.2	✖	✖ 0.2 (points for ‘ladybird’)	✖	2.6/7

ObsIdentify vs Picture Insect

And so we have our winner, or at least winners. Both ObsIdentify and Picture Insect performed extremely well during the first test and truth be told, there isn’t much between them. Let’s try them on a few more insects…

For this, we’ll trial the apps on the lovely Green Long-horn (Adela reaumurella), another true bug, Calocoris roseomaculatus, and the tiny Meadow Ladybird (Rhyzobius litura). A reasonably testing bunch!

	Green Long-horn	Calocoris roseomaculatus	Meadow Ladybird	Score (0-6)
ObsIdentify	✔1	✔ 0.9	✔ 0.9	2.8/3
Picture Insect	✔1	✖ 0.2 (it brought up a very similar species)	✖ 0.2 (again, a similar species but failed to mention this one)	1.4/3

ObsIdentify (9.7/10)

Hands down the best app for insect identification

ObsIdentify performed extremely well across all insect groups and must be considered the ‘go to’ app for identifying insects. Based on the positive reviews shared elsewhere, it is perhaps unsurprising that it identified the easier Oak Bush-cricket and Brown China-mark correctly, but it surprised by accurately ID’ing the two hoverflies. Hoverfly identification can often be an arduous affair so extra brownie points here.

Of the points 0.3 points deducted in total, on all occasions this was due to a separate but similar species being put forward as its primary identification. However, in all three cases, the true species was listed in second place which at least allows users to quickly compare species and reach a judgment for themselves.

On a more practical note, ObsIdentify is very user-friendly and provides no end of handy information that some users might find interesting. It also works on more than just insects and overall, is a well-rounded and very helpful app. Top marks!

Impressive 100% confirmation of *Platycheirus rosarum* but do excuse the difference in names

Picture Insect (7.4/10)

Another good choice for insect enthusiasts but jut falling short

Picture Insect is a perfectly sound app and performs better than most. In the first round of testing, it excelled with the more familiar species and resulted in correct identifications when presented with more challenging species, particularly Capsus ater and Platycheirus rosarum. Both of these proved too much for apps further down the list.

A solid choice for second place, the app only fell short at the last hurdle, failing to identify Calocoris roseomaculatus and Meadow Ladybird very nearly nailed by ObsIdentify. Indeed, neither species were shown in the four available suggestions shown by Picture Insect, but it did at least put us in the right ball park.

While a good choice for use on common and familiar species, I did find the app somewhat annoying on account of the frequent pop-ups prompting paid subscription. The interface is also a little more complex that our winning option.

Correct identification of Brown China-mark

Google Lens (2.6/7)

This one ought to do better…

Google Lens is perhaps the most widely used app on this list, with a great many people using it for everything from foodstuffs to wildlife. Given the infrastructure behind it, it ought to have outperformed some of the less well-resourced apps but alas, failed at almost every hurdle.

Points were awarded for its success in identifying Oak Bush-cricket and Brown China-mark but beyond these, it succeeded only in correctly identifying several species to family level. If, like me, you like to know specifics, it probably isn’t for you.

Seek (1.1/7)

Not again iNaturalist…

When it comes to purpose-built wildlife identification apps, Seek by iNaturalist is perhaps the most widely known (and used) of all. Indeed, I frequently encounter students using the app at the recommendation of their lecturers and have chanced upon a fair number of naturalists using it the field. They shouldn’t bother.

Oh iNaturalist, what went wrong yet again? If you read my previous post on plant ID apps, you’ll know that Seek came almost last. It performed almost as negatively this time, succeeding only with the Brown China-mark. This is somewhat troubling given its widespread use and ties with what is fast becoming the most widespread biological recording app in the UK. Yikes.

I would avoid Seek save for its use in positive environmental engagement. Like iNaturalist who developed it, it makes wildlife recording fun and would be a great choice for weekend walks with the kids if little else.

Identifying Oxalis

Get started identifying the widespread Wood-sorrels (Oxalis) you’re most likely encounter in a new, simplified crib

Thank you all so much for continuing to read and download recent entries in this series of accessible plant cribs. It has been a while since I shared one (they are very much a project for the darker months) so I thought I would get back into the swing of things by sharing another challenging plant family.

After tackling common grasses the last time around, now seemed like a good time to focus on something a little more colourful – introducing our pesky urban Wood-sorrels (Oxalis)

The wood-sorrels are an interesting group of low-growing, largely perennial plants with five-petaled flowers in shades of pink, red, white and yellow. While our native Wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is very much a plant of woodlands, most are plants of human-influenced habitats – think pavements, gutters, flowerbeds and driveways. In my native Newcastle, around 8 species are infrequently encountered about these habitats, though several others are likely to occur too. The simplified key below covers those most likely to be encountered in the North East but please note, there are several rarer ones out there.

Key factors to focus on when identifying oxalis are flower colour (which can help separate them nicely into groups), flower detail, leaflet number and leaf detail.

Identifying Oxalis

Oxalis are a moderately diverse bunch. Here, we’ll aim to cover the species botanists are most likely to encounter while out and about in urban areas across the North East; though the information shared should apply equally well elsewhere in the UK. This crib focuses the following species:

Upright Yellow-sorrel
Procumbent Yellow-sorrel
Least Yellow-sorrel
Wood-sorrel
Pale Pink-sorrel
Common Pink-sorrel
Large-flowered Pink-sorrel
Broad-leaved Pink-sorrel
Four-leaved Pink-sorrel
Annual Pink-sorrel

Download the Crib

Enjoying this series? Please consider sharing this page with friends or better still, providing a back-link so that more people can find it. If you have any suggestions for further groups to cover, I’d love to hear from you.

*Oxalis exilis* © Jelle van Dijk, via Saxifraga

Bullate Leaved Cotoneasters with Red/Orange Fruits

In this new series of blogs, I hope to condense the available information associated with different groupings of cotoneasters. This will include wild and naturalised species but also some available in horticulture and thus, likely to occur in the future. References are provided.

Medium shrubs to small trees with subcoriaceous leaves boasting a strongly bullate [blistered] upper surface and often, deeply impressed veins. Most fall into series Bullati (Flinck & B. Hylmö) but several other superficially similar species known to occur are also included.

Of these cotoneasters, only Hollyberry Cotoeaster (Cotoneaster bullatus) and Bullate Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster rehderi) are known to occur widely in the UK and are often confused. Several other species, most notably Bois’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster boisianus) and Firebird Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster ignescens) are known to occur more scantly but may have been overlooked. More species still are available in horticulture and grown in botanical gardens and arboretums and as such, as liable to occur in the future.

Fruits Red

	C. bullatus	C. rehderi	C. obscurus
Fruit	Globose or obovoid, 7-8mm, rich red, shiny, glabrescent, calyx lobes depressed; nutlets 5 (rarely 4).	Globose or depressed globose, 8-11mm, bright red, shiny, calyx lobes flat; nutlets 4-5.	Obovoid, 7-9mm, red to maroon, shiny, glabrous, calyx lobes flat; nutlets 3-4.
Flowers	12-30 flowered. Corolla closed or with small opening, petals red and pale pink with a greenish pink border; filaments pale pink, anthers white.	10-30 flowered. Corolla closed, petals red or maroon with pink border; filaments pink, anthers white.	7-12 flowered. Corolla closed, petals pink and greenish white with some red; filaments red and pink, anthers white.
Leaf size	55-90mm x 26-46mm	70-210mm x 45-90mm	25-45mm x 12-28mm
Leaf above	Bullate, initially reddish brown, shiny, initially pilose; veins 6-9 impressed.	Strongly bullate, mid-green, shiny, slightly pilose, veins 8-11 impressed.	Bullate, dark green, slightly shiny, initially strigose; veins 3-5 impressed.
Leaf below	Villous, especially on midrib.	Lightly green, initially yellowish strigose.	Somewhat reticulate, yellowish tomentose-villous.
Branchlets	Maroon, initially yellowish pilose	Maroon and lenticellate, initially pilose.	Maroon, initially yellowish pilose
UK Status	2388 records (Sept 2024)	3612 records (Sept 2024)	10 records (Sept 2024)
Comment	Common in some parts	Perhaps the most likely species to be found in all habitats across the UK.	Rather unlikely

A comparison of Cotoneaster bullatus and select similar species recorded in the UK

Similar Species in Cultivation

Cotoneaster emeiensis has large leaves reminiscent of C. rehderi (120-160mm x 55-60mm) and could be easily confused. It has slightly smaller fruits (8-9mm) and it’s flowers differ with petals that are red with a brownish-red base and a pink border. It is now available for sale in the UK, and has been planted at select botanical gardens.

Cotoneaster ataensis has smaller leaves than the species above (35-50mm x 25-33mm) but shares the rich red fruits. It differs in having 3-9 flowers, each with an open corolla and petals which are red with a blackish-purple base and a pink border. Fryer & Hylmö (2009) state that this species is widespread in cultivation but often mislabelled as C. bullatus.

Cotoneaster atuntzensis could be mistaken for either C. bullatus or C. rehderi. It has shortly obovoid fruits (8-9mm) with 3-4 nutlets and petals which are pale pink and greenish with an off white border.

Bullate Cotoneaster (*Cotoneaster rehderi*)

Hollyberry Cotoneaster (*Cotoneaster bullatus*)
© lern via iRecord

Fruits Orange-red to Orange

	C. ignescens	C. boisianus	C. sikangensis
Fruit	Obovoid or depressed globose, 9-10mm, orange-red, shiny, sparsely pilose, calyx lobes flat; nutlets 3-4.	Obovoid, 9-11mm, orange-red, base pilose, calyx lobes flat; nutlets 4-5.	Obovoid, 9-11mm, orange-red, subglabrous, calyx lobes flat; nutlets 3-5 (mostly 5).
Flowers	3-13 flowered. Corolla with small opening, petals reddish brown with a pink or off-white border; filaments red and pink, anthers white.	9-18 flowered. Corolla closed, petals red with a dark red base and pale pink border; filaments red and pink, anthers white.	3-15 flowered. Corolla closed or with small opening, petals pink with greenish brown or white stripe, border off-white; filaments pale pink, anthers white.
Leaf size	38-50mm x 23-28mm (subcoriaceous)	46-60mm x 22-32mm (chartaceous)	26-40mm x 13-24mm (subcoriaceous)
Leaf above	Bullate, dark green, shiny, strigose; veins 5-7 impressed.	Slightly bullate, dark green, dull, pilose-strigose; veins 6-8 impressed.	Bullate, dark green, shiny, pilose-strigose; veins 4-6 impressed.
Leaf below	Densely whitish pilose-villous	Reticulate, yellowish pilose.	Densely villous-pilose
Branchlets	Maroon, initially pilose-strigose.	Maroon, strigose-pilose.	Maroon, initially yellowish pilose
UK Status	9 records (Sept 2024)	36 records (Sept 2024)	Not yet recorded
Comment	Highly unlikely	Grows easily from seed in my experience so perhaps one to hunt for!	Apparently available in horticulture

A comparison of Cotoneaster ignescens and select similar species recorded in the UK

Bois’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster boisianus)
via Manual of the Alien Plants of Belgium

References

Dickoré, W.B. & Kasperek, G. (2010). Species of Cotoneaster (Rosaceae, Maloideae) indigenous to, naturalising or commonly cultivated in Central Europe. Willdenowia 40: 13-45
Verloove, Filip. (2014). Het genus Cotoneaster in België. Dumortiera. 103. 3-29.
Fryer, J.; Hylmö, B. (2009). Cotoneasters: a comprehensive guide to shrubs for flowers, fruit, and foliage. Timber Press, Portland.
Verloove F. (2024). Manual of the Alien Plants of Belgium. Botanic Garden Meise, Belgium.

Walks Through the Flora of Newcastle – Lower Ouse burn

Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves.

These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. Here, we’ll explore the up and coming Lower Ouse Burn Valley with its industrial relics and eclectic urban flora.

The Lower Ouseburn Valley lies on the edge of Newcastle City Centre. Once one of the city’s first industrial suburbs, this area was shaped by the coal, glass, and pottery industries that once dominated the banks of the Ouse Burn. Its role as an industrial hub persisted until the mid-19th century, when many buildings began to fall into dereliction. Today, it features an intriguing mix of planted amenity woodland, urban shrubberies, brownfield sites, residential areas, ruderal land, and grassland.

Your walk begins at the Cycle Hub at global.takes.blocks. From here, head west along Cycle Route 72, pausing to enjoy the uncommon pavement plants along the route. Eastern Rocket (Sisymbrium orientale) is frequent in this area, along with Water Bent (Polypogon viridis), Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa subsp. sylvestris), and halophytes such as Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica). After crossing the bridge at ducks.eaten.boxing, you’ll find a large area of derelict land on the northern bank of the Tyne, home to many species characteristic of Newcastle’s urban spaces. Look out for Weld (Reseda luteola), Hen-bit Dead-nettle (Lamium amplexicaule), Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Guernsey Fleabane (Erigeron sumatrensis), and Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre). Corn Marigold (Glebionis segetum) has also been recorded here, likely introduced by well-meaning locals, and the thin soils here often support stunning displays of Sun Spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia).

**Sun Spurge** (*Euphorbia helioscopia*) © Chris Barlow

Once you’ve explored this area, retrace your steps back across Cycle Route 72 and take the path along the western bank of the Ouse Burn. Although this area is dominated by office blocks, it’s surprisingly rich in plant life. Check the stonework fringing the burn for Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) growing in the cracks, and look down at the gabions for natives like Wild Celery (Apium graveolens), Common Scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis), Hemlock Water-Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata), and Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata), all tolerant of the brackish conditions typical of the lower river. If you spot orange flowers along the stonework, this may be Kamchatka Stonecrop (Phedimus kamtschaticus), first recorded at this site in 2024.

Before continuing your walk, take a close look at the crumbling wall at flats.vivid.paint, home to a large colony of Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata). Also, check the ornamental planters in the office forecourts, which, depending on local gardeners’ activity, may contain interesting arable plants. In the past, these have included Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. raphanistrum), Small Nettle (Urtica urens), Fool’s-parsley (Aethusa cynapium), Cut-leaved Dead-nettle (Lamium hybridum), and even Common Fiddleneck (Amsinckia micrantha). Now, head back to the cycle route, cross the bridge, and follow the path along the eastern bank of the Ouse Burn at Maling Street, where your walk truly begins.

**Common** **Fiddleneck** (*Amsinckia micrantha*) © James Common

The industrialised riverbanks between the Tyne Bar and Panhaggarty Bridge are eclectic and fascinating, with the stonework hosting a unique mix of native plants and successful urban neophytes. As you walk, look for species like Polypody (Polypodium vulgare), Small-flowered Crane’s-bill (Geranium pusillum), Squirreltail Fescue (Vulpia bromoides), Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola), Tall Melilot (Melilotus altissimus), Sticky Groundsel (Senecio viscosus), and Narrow-leaved Ragwort (Senecio inaequidens). Less common are Meadow Fescue (Schedonorus pratensis) and Green Field-speedwell (Veronica agrestis), the latter being an unusual addition to the flora here. Keep an eye out too for bird seed aliens such as Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Six-row Barley (Hordeum vulgare), which may have sprouted thanks to locals feeding waterfowl.

Exploring the naturalised shrubs in this area is also rewarding, with expanding colonies of Hjelmqvist’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster hjelmqvistii) and Swedish Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster x suecicus), as well as Wall Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) and Willow-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius).

**Narrow-leaved Ragwort** (*Senecio inaequidens*) © Irene Zaina

When you reach Panhaggarty Bridge, cross the Ouse Burn again and follow the burn-side path that fringes Ouse Burn Farm to the east. The frequent transfer of goods and produce here has led to the colonisation of several interesting species, such as Balm (Melissa officinalis), Cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli), and Chives (Allium schoenoprasum). The Ouse Burn itself is particularly noteworthy for its floating conservation islands, which host riparian plants like Purple-loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Hemlock (Conium maculatum), Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata), and Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus). Interestingly, Gypsywort may have colonised naturally, supported by records from N.J. Winch in the 1800s. These islands also harbour two invasive species: Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Under Byker Bridge, observe the well-established colony of Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis), which grows alongside Trailing Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana).

Continue along the burn to the small meadow at heap.grin.hails. If you see a cow, don’t be alarmed—Willow is friendly! This managed grassland is a hidden gem, home to Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Square-stalked St. John’s-wort (Hypericum tetrapterum), and more common plants such as Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Common Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa), and Ragged-robin (Silene flos-cuculi). The pond at adopt.lively.turkey is still maturing but already holds Common Stonewort (Chara vulgaris) and several Carex species.

**Himalayan Balsam** (*Impatiens glandulifera*) © Chris Barlow

To finish your walk, cross the small stone bridge leading back to the eastern bank of the Ouse Burn and follow the path towards the wooded area south of Newcastle’s City Stadium. Along the way, you may spot Black Horehound (Ballota nigra) and Chicory (Cichorium intybus) growing beside the path. In the wood, and along the edges of the metro line running east towards Heaton, you’ll encounter self-sown cotoneasters, including Tree Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster frigidus), Stern’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sternianus), and Spreading Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster divaricatus), the latter colonising the stonework of an old railway bridge further east. The wood itself hosts several interesting alien species, such as Fatsia (Fatsia japonica), Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea), and carpets of Atlantic Ivy (Hedera hibernica), which, though not strictly alien, was surely introduced here. In winter, the wood delights with displays of Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), while later in the year, you might spot Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine).

A few other interesting plants to spot along the way…

Other interesting plants to look for along the way include Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare), Mexican Fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus), Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum), Beaked Hawk’s-beard (Crepis vesicaria), Bullate Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster rehderi), Common Stork’s-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Shining Crane’s-bill (Geranium lucidum), Hedgerow Crane’s-bill (Geranium pyrenaicum), Hoary Ragwort (Jacobaea erucifolia), and Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium).

**Chicory** (*Cichorium intybus*) © Chris Barlow

Walks Through the Flora of Newcastle – Big Waters & Brenkley

Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves. Cue a new series!

These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. Here, we’ll explore the former mining sites of Big Waters and Brenkley Colliery, with a brief detour to Seaton Burn, but first a huge thanks to Chris Barlow for the photography needed to illustrate this post – I must learn to take better photos!

A Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) managed jointly by Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT) and Urban Green Newcastle, Big Waters is home to the largest subsistence pond in region, formed over collapsed mine workings from the 1920s. With plenty of open water, reedbed, neutral grassland and wet woodland, it is a most interesting place to visit. That said, it is the Eastern side managed by Urban Green Newcastle that is most interesting. You’ll start there, though the NWT side is of note for its rich sedge community which among other things includes White Sedge (Carex canescens), Common Yellow-sedge (Carex demissa) and Oval Sedge (Carex leporina). You will avoid hopping fences, won’t you?

Your walk will begin in the carpark at seeing.helpfully.meanders. From here, take the less-trodden path into the wood for a brief pitstop at the boardwalk at instincts.honestly.offices. Here, the small pond to either side holds Rigid Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) and White Water-lily (Nymphaea alba) alongside more common wetland fare in Purple-loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans). Better yet, this area is one of the few places in the conurbation where you can enjoy Greater Duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) – a rather rare plant in North East England, if the maps are to be believed.

**Broad-leaved Pondweed** (*Potamogeton natans*)
© Chris Barlow

Next, head up a small flight of rickety stems and follow the trail through the small wood until you emerge at starters.concerned.lift. At this point, follow the lakeshore taking care to look out any unusual aquatic plants washed closer to shore. Fennel Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) is particularly common, as is Canadian Waterweed (Elodea canadensis) but you may also encounter Horned Pondweed (Zannichellia palustris) and Curled Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus). The banks here can be interesting too with plentiful Marsh Woundwort (Stachys palustris), Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Perforate St. John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum) and other common plants. If you look closer at the Hypericum, you may well encounter Des Etang’s St. John’s-wort (Hypericum x desetangsii) also, though it’s other parent, Imperforate St. John’s-wort (Hypericum maculatum) is strangely lacking if my experience is anything to go by.

Continuing on this route, before long, you’ll enter a new monad and should continue, over a small bridge, into an area of grassland beginning at products.most.flick. By the burn, be sure to check the stepping stones for more Greater Duckweed, often forming mixed-species mats with its common cousin, Common Duckweed (Lemna minor), and some infrequent marginals in Amphibious Bistort (Persicaria amphibia), Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) and Clustered Dock (Rumex conglomeratus). These species are common across Big Waters but this is as good a place as any to spot them.

The grasslands at Big Waters are rather diverse and home to a rich suite of species including Yellow Oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens), Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium), Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) and Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii). Explore these, but be sure to return to the burnside path for an eclectic mix of naturalised garden escapes.

**Agrimony** (*Agrimonia eupatoria*)
© Chris Barlow

How many of these species came to exist here is a bit of a mystery but depending on the timing of your visit, around butlers.equity.professes you can observe a queer mix of Purple Cranes-bill (Geranium x magnificum), Druce’s Crane’s-bill (Geranium x oxonianum), Dotted Loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) and Hybrid Barrenwort (Epimedium x versicolor). If you should notice a rather imposing tussock of grass, this is likely to be Golden Oats (Celtica gigantea) which was first recorded from the site in 2024 by local naturalist, Chris Barlow. Chris has since gone on to find Yellow Oxeye (Buphthalmum speciosum) in the same area so what exactly is happening here is anyone’s guess! Big Waters gardening club?

**Golden Oats** (*Celtica gigantea*)
© Chris Barlow

Continue beside the Hartley Burn until you reach the motorway, noting the impressive Traveller’s-joy (Clematis vitalba) at rust.informer.slab. From this point, you’ll loop back, walking the opposite site of the burn as you head back towards the lake. Along the way, lookout for Grey Alder (Alnus incana), Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) and other commonplace additions to former coalfields. When you reach the lake, it is worth investigating the eroded bank at struts.factory.grips where visitors commonly feed the resident waterfowl. Sightings here have included commonplace plants such as Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) but also relative scarcities such as Cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli). From here, you’ll want to follow the path North, through a small wood, to fists.rifled.wrist, where you will reach a bridleway from which you will travel West to the site of the former Brenkley Colliery. A rather inaccessible but diverse site that can be accessed, somewhat naughtily, via some arable fields at sideboard.explored.revealing.

**Traveller’s-joy** (*Clematis vitalba*)
© Chris Barlow

From this point, head North along the margins of the sprawling wheat field, ensuring you hug the margins so not to trample the farmers crops. Doing so, you will have the opportunity to observe many crop weeds including commonplace plants like Scarlet Pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis) and Scentless Mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum) but several scarcities too. In this field, and in the broader area, a little work can reveal Great Brome (Anisantha diandra), Black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides) and Marsh Cudweed (Gnaphalium uliginosum), all of which are rather rare in Greater Newcastle. When you reach powerful.trudges.tedious, you have reached the colliery and short of a hurdle through the hedge, the next leg of your botanical voyage can begin.

**Scarlet Pimpernel** (*Lysimachia arvensis*)
© Chris Barlow

Brenkley Colliery is an interesting if somewhat neglected site. In parts, the meadows here are acidic in nature dominated by Betony (Betonica officinalis), Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica), Common Sedge (Carex nigra) and Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis). In other parts, you will find copious Fairy Flax (Linum catharticum) alongside Common Spotted Orchid, Lady’s-bedstraw (Galium verum) and tracts of Yellow Oat-grass; all of which, together, hint at more calcareous conditions. Uncommon plants here include Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis), Des Etangs’ St. John’s-wort and best of all, Newcastle’s only known example of Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella) – a surprising find during recent surveys.

**Autumn Gentian** (*Gentianella amarella*)

Brenkley is degrading fast it would seem, largely on account of encroaching scrub. Inaction means that this locally unique site may be lost in due course so perhaps it is best to enjoy it while you can. Or perhaps it will be protected. Who knows?

At this stage, you may wish to curtail your journey, heading back the way you came to Big Waters and onwards to home. However, if you’re not yet finished, you could opt for a walk East along the old colliery road towards Seaton Burn and Little Waters. Doing so will reward you with copious amounts of Blue Water-Speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica) in a path side ditch at detective.suitably.canyons, while continuing to the bridge in Seaton Burn itself will yield what may well be Newcastle/North Tynside’s most diverse aquatic plant community. At waltzed.mailboxes.stream look out for the county’s only known population of Lesser Water-Parsnip (Berula erecta), a Rare Plant Register species, and other uncommon plants such as Curled Pondweed and Horned Pondweed. A rather chunky water-starwort here may well turn out to be Blunt-fruited Water-starwort (Callitriche obtusangula) but needs further investigation. Water-violet (Hottonia palustris) also grows in this square but alas, I can’t reveal everything in posts such as this can I?

**Lesser Water-Parsnip**
(*Berula erecta*)

Walks Through the Flora of Newcastle – The Streets of Heaton

Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves. Cue a new series!

These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. Here, we’ll explore the streets of Heaton (I promise you, there is more to those terraces than meets the eye!)

The streets of Heaton, a suburb of Newcastle, are both significant for their botanical diversityand broadly representative of the messy, terraced neighbourhoods found across Tyneside. My daily walk during lockdown, the area has been very well botanised, but you could easily encounter many of these plants in parts of Wallsend, Walker, Jesmond or Elswick. You’ll begin your walk on at the base of Simonside Terrace (burns.thick.bonds).

Setting out, you will walk up Simonside Terrace towards Chillingham Road, paying attention to the weedy front gardens tended (or not) by Heaton’s burgeoning population of students. Here, you will experience what can only be described as the true ‘urban flora’ of Newcastle. Among commoner plants, in summer, expect to see Guernsey Fleabane (Erigeron sumatrensis) and Canadian Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis) growing within cracks in the pavement, Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus) adorning walls in the company of Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) and Water Bent (Polypogon viridis) growing in an assortment of nooks and crannies.

**Trailing Bellflower** (*Campanula poscharskyana*)

On the North-facing side of the terrace, look out for carpets of Mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii) spreading between shaded gardens and Pale Pink-sorrel (Oxalis incarnata) colonising flowerbeds. You can also expect ample Welsh Poppy (Papaver cambricum), Sun Spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia), Purple Toadflax (Linaria purpurea), Trailing Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) and Pink Purslane (Claytonia sibirica), which has colonised gravelled gardens here in recent years.

At caked.towns.glee, turn right and head back in the same direction via the first back alley you encounter. Seldom sprayed, these alleyways can be a veritable gold mine of interesting plants, of all persuasions. In walls, expect to see Fern-grass (Catapodium rigidum), Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) and Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis), as well as self-sown Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and perhaps even Annual Beard-grass (Polypogon monspeliensis) – a bird seed alien which has been growing ever more frequent of late. Continue across Whitefield Terrace to another alley directly abutting the nearby Iris Brickfield allotments where you will enjoy, depending on the antics of local allotmenteers, a wide range of waifs and strays cast out from local vegetable plots. In Spring, the margins here hold Garden Grape-hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum), Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) and Three-cornered Garlic (Allium triquetrum) presumably hurled over the fence as bulbs. Common weeds include Fat-hen (Chenopodium album), Common Orache (Atriplex patula) and Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria judaica); while Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) is recurrent in bare areas. You might even spot the impressive Grape-vine (Vitis vinifera) that, having been turfed out of an allotment plot, has flourished in the hedge here for several years.

**Garden Grape-hyacinth** (*Muscari armeniacum*)

From this point, it is worth going off piste and exploring more of the nearby terraces. Each comes with its own unique set of plants and more than a few highlights. At gold.slimy.vine you will find an impressive variety of ferns on Rokeyby Terrace including Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens), Hart’s-tongue (Asplenium scolopendrium), Wall-rue (Asplenium ruta-muraria) and better yet, Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum) and Polypody (Polypodium vulgare). On Tosson Terrace, Greater Quaking-grass (Briza maxima) is expending rapidly and has colonised the grounds of a nearby school and all about, pavement cracks hold treasures such as Squirreltail Fescue (Vulpia bromoides), White Melilot (Melilotus albus) and the self-sown offspring of garden plants. Two of the most frequent being Argentine Vervain (Verbena bonariensis) and Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus).

Whichever route you take, your next port of call will be the nearby Iris Brickfield Park. Fairly unassuming, at least by the standards of Newcastle’s other amenity spaces, the park holds all the trappings you might expect with playing fields, a play area, manicured lawns and rows of ornamental trees – several of which including False-acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) and Mougeot’s Whitebeam (Sorbus mougeotii) are known to spread themselves about somewhat. Notably, the park also holds several ‘wild’ areas with the grassland here gradually developing into a rather nice meadow. Expect Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor), Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium), Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella), Goat’s-beard (Tragopogon pratensis) and obvious patches of Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima). Much more intriguing, however, is the small pond at item.humid.firms.

Subject to little upkeep, this pond has developed a fascinating aquatic community over the years, born of natural colonisation and perhaps, a helping hand from nearby residents. By large, it is dominated by stands of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Reed Sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima) but in parts, you will also find Branched Burr-reed (Sparganium erectum), Purple-loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and Water Mint (Mentha aquatica). The real gems here are much rarer but with careful exploration, you can find Marsh Willowherb (Epilobium palustre), Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus), Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) and much more. Indeed, this small and unassuming pond exemplifies perfectly the value of even the smallest shred of natural habitat in the urban setting. Before moving on, move a few paces to remind.baked.duke where you can enjoy the city’s only known clump of Marsh-mallow (Althaea officinalis). How it got here remains somewhat of a mystery.

Branched Burr-reed (*Sparganium erectum*)

Exit the park at glass.city.wisely on to Rothbury Terrace and head North towards Benfield Road. On route, be sure to peer through the fence separating the road from the nearby railway line. Over the years, this has developed a rich scrub community consisting of many natives, including Wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), and assorted aliens ranging from Mock-orange (Philadelphus coronarius) and Escallonia (Escallonia rubra) to Hollyberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster bullatus). Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) and Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) can also be observed.

A major thoroughfare, the flora on Benfield Road is different to that of the area’s quieter streets. Walking North-West, you should note a wide range of species in cracks, crevices and untidy corners including Eastern Rocket (Sisymbrium orientale), Bristly Oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides), Sticky Groundsel (Senecio viscosus) and Scarlet Pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis). Walk until the road joins the Coast Road, one of Newcastle’s most significant transport links where, thanks to winter gritting, a rich halophyte community has developed.

**Sticky Groundsel** (*Senecio viscosus*)

Without straying far from the junction, here you will find a representative suite of salt-lovers including Danish Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia danica), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Buck’s-horn Plantain (Plantago coronopus), Sea Aster (Tripolium pannonicum) and Lesser Sea-spurrey (Spergularia marina). Look closer at the roadsides you might also notice Sea Fern-grass (Catapodium marinum) at its only local outpost. Oddities occur here too, presumably due to the constant passage of traffic. In recent years, these have included Argentine Needle-grass (Nassella tenuissima) and Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) but you never know what might pop up.

**Californian Poppy** (*Eschscholzia californica*)

From this point, you have two options: curtail your journey, or follow the Coast Road West to the junction of Benton Road where you may visit Heaton Cemetery. Doing so will provide an opportunity to enjoy a range of succulent species associated with the undisturbed stonework of aged graves. White Stonecrop (Sedum album) and Biting Stonecrop (Sedum acre) are most plentiful but crisscrossing the site, you should also observe colonies of Reflexed Stonecrop (Petrosedum rupestre) and Rock Stonecrop (Petrosedum forsterianum). In keeping with many urban cemeteries, areas of disturbed ground (usually near new burial sites) can be worth investigating for species such as Green Field-speedwell (Veronica agrestis) but do be respectful.

At this point, all that remains is to head back via Chillingham Road, noting further weeds along the way. New additions will include Adria Bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana) and Yellow Corydalis (Pseudofumaria lutea) in exterior a garden walls and a pavement-dwelling Curry-plant (Helichrysum italicum) at stuck.slimy.appear.

Other interesting plants to look for along the way…

Perennial Wall-rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), Red Goosefoot (Oxybasis rubra), Fig-leaved Goosefoot (Chenopodium ficifolium), Lawson’s Cypress (Cupressus lawsoniana), Ivy-leaved Speedwell (Veronica hederifolia), Shining Crane’s-bill (Geranium lucidum), Garden Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), Garden Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium), Balm (Melissa officinalis) and Atlas Poppy (Papaver atlanticum).

**Yellow Corydalis** (*Pseudofumaria lutea*)

Walks Through the Flora of Newcastle – Elswick & scotswood Road

This level 3.5-mile circular walk takes in what were once the industrial heartlands of Newcastle and travels through several key urban habitats. Your walk will begin at the Skinnerburn Road car park (cubs.camp.effort) from which you will set out West along the Hadrian’s Wall Path on the Northern bank of the Tyne. You will follow this for roughly 1.5 miles and for the first portion of your journey, much of the botanical interest will derive from the narrow band of scrub that fringes the river. Formed through the gradual colonisation of tidal defences and riverbank this habitat holds one of the richest neophyte assemblages in the city.

Almost immediately upon starting out (remind.dirt.entire) a look at this scrub community will reveal an assortment of bird-sown cotoneaster species. Late Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus) and Willow-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius) are most obvious, but here too are Waterer’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster x watereri) and Wall Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis). Among these, you should also note Chinese Barberry (Berberis julianae) at one of its only outposts in the city and interestingly, Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) which, presumably having escaped nearby amenity planting, forms a unique understorey beneath the alien shrubs. Here too, closer inspection will reveal Spurge-laurel (Daphne laureola) and Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae). A variety of self-sown alien trees also feature including Italian Alder (Alnus cordata), Swedish Whitebeam (Sorbus intermedia) and Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria).

**Late Cotoneaster** (*Cotoneaster lacteus*)

As you walk the riverside path, be sure to cast your eyes downward, through the scrub, to the walls and exposed mud closest to the Tyne. All along this stretch it is possible to observe relic saltmarsh flora consisting of Sea Aster (Tripolium pannonicum), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Buck’s-horn Plantain (Plantago coronopus) and Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima). Common Scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis) occurs much more scantly, and one of the highlights of the walk, Wild Celery (Apium graveolens) can be seen emerging from gaps in the riverside stonework.

Beyond these, the rest of until approximately rides.jets.solo will be spend admiring the scrub and tracksides. Low-growing plants to look out for along the way include Narrow-leaved Ragwort (Senecio inaequidens), Wood Sage (Teucrium scorodonia), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Perennial Wall-rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) and Cut-leaved Dead-nettle (Lamium hybridum). In the scrub, you will note an almost overwhelming variety of cotoneasters including, in addition to those mentioned already, Bearberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri), Hjelmvist’s Cotoneaser (Cotoneaster hjelmqvistii), Bullate Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster rehderi), Hollyberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster bullatus), Himalayan Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii) and Franchet’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster franchetii) – all of which make this a good place to look closer at this tricky group of plants. At placed.slower.wisdom, be sure to look out for Broad-leaved Whitebeam (Sorbus latifolia) growing on the banks where it is presumably bird-sown from planted populations in County Durham.

**Broad-leaved Whitebeam** (*Sorbus latifolia*)

At rides.jets.solo keep a watchful eye for Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) growing on the margins of the mown amenity grassland here and at belong.global.span for Glabrous Whitlowgrass (Erophila glabrescens) amid the pavements. Otherwise, the next point of interest comes at puns.noise.oddly where the path slopes upward towards William Armstrong Drive. Here, you will spot the city’s only example of Fig (Ficus carica) overhanging the river, perhaps even adorned with fruit. With a bit of careful meandering here, you can further explore the small area of bank here with the aim of finding two scarce natives: Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) and Spindle (Euonymus europaeus). Exploration of the little inlet here should turn-up more Wild Celery alongside Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata) and Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica) on the tidal mud. You should also add another cotoneaster to your rapidly increasing tally with Small-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus).

From here, continue up Willam Armstrong Road until it merges with Scotswood Road. Cross the road and you will be presented with a long-neglected area of roadside shrubbery at orders.mint.plant. Most of the shrubs here are planted and are of little interest, but what grows beneath them is far more interesting. In summer, open areas and messy marginal zones here hold a thriving population of Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) growing alongside Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata) and Musk-mallow (Malva moschata).

A little further west, a larger expanse of grassland at the junction of the B1305 is worth exploring and holds many of the species associated with Tyneside’s re-seeded industrial plots. Expect Lady’s-bedstraw (Galium verum), Hedge Bedstraw (Galium album) and their hybrid Galium x pomeranicum; Chalk Knapweed (Centaurea debeauxii), Quaking-grass (Briza media), Yellow Oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens), Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare), Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis), Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) and Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare).

**Yellow-wort**
(*Blackstonia perfoliata*)

From here, all that remains is to travel back East on Scotswood Road. At cares.scare.shaky and slick.plant.glee, grassland areas hold more of the same calcareous species explored earlier, while roadsides and waste ground plots hold an interesting assortment of weeds. Along your way, look out for Eastern Rocket (Sisymbrium orientale), Great Lettuce (Lactuca virosa), Long-headed Poppy (Papaver dubium), Large-flowered Evening-primrose (Oenothera glazioviana), Squirreltail Fescue (Vulpia bromoides), and Water Bent (Polypogon viridis).

To return to the car park, turn off Scotswood Road down Dunn Street. Along the way, look out for Stern’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sternianus) in the rail side scrub and yet more Cut-leaved Dead-nettle in any areas of disturbed ground. A final point of interest is the diverse willowherb community that develops atop any area of waste or derelict ground. Expect an abundance of Short-fruited Willowherb (Epilobium obscurum), Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), Hoary Willowherb (Epilobium parviflorum), Broad-leaved Willowherb (Epilobium montanum), American Willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum) and Square-stalked Willowherb (Epilobium tetragonum). It is worth looking for hybrids too – the hybrid between Great x Hoary Willowherb (Epilobium x subhirsutum) has been recorded nearby.

Other interesting plants to look for along the way…

Lesser Sea-spurrey (Spergularia marina), Darwin’s Barberry (Berberis darwinii), Swedish Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster x x suecicus), Hybrid Couch (Elymus x laxus), Reflexed Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia distans) and Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa).

**Eastern Rocket** (*Sisymbrium orientale)*

Walks Through the Flora of Newcastle – Gosforth Nature Reserve

Managed by the Natural History Society since 1924, Gosforth Nature Reserve is perhaps the most fruitful and interesting green space in the city. Much of this is due to the presence of several key habitats condensed in what is a relatively small area. On this walk, you’ll explore areas of open water and reedbed, marshland and recent semi-natural woodland and smaller areas of meadow and relic heath. At just over 1 mile, this circular route takes about 2 hours with plenty of time to pause and enjoy the wildlife.

You’ll start at the reserve entrance (dollar.tile.scales) where before heading in, you may wish to spend a few moments scrutinising the species rich verge directly behind you. This holds populations of Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans), Betony (Betonica officinalis) and Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare) among commoner plant life and is notable for the presence of Adder’s-tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum) and some lovely displays of Cowslip (Primula veris) come spring. Southern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) has also popped up in the near area of late is liable to expand further. Now head on in via the friendly volunteers at the Welcome Hut (paying the entry fee or showing a membership card) and through two sets of gates and into the woodland. Here, turn left towards the field boundary at winner.locals.fortunate.

**Adder’s-tongue** (*Ophioglossum vulgatum*)

The first portion of this walk is not all that interesting, in truth – the woodland here lacks many of the axiophytes associated with ancient woodland and instead, is dominated by common ferns such as Broad Buckler-fern (Dryopteris dilatata). Still, walking the boundary ride, you might note Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium), Spurge-laurel (Daphne laureola), Wood Dock (Rumex sanguineous), Three-nerved Sandwort (Moehringia trinervia) and Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima) and a little further on, a newly created woodland meadow. While in its infancy, this patch holds Pignut (Conopodium majus), Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor) and select other titbits. Things will pick up when you reach a junction in the path and a trail leading through an area of willow carr. Take this path, pausing beneath the willows where the sodden ground holds Hairy-brome (Bromopsis ramosa) and Wood Meadow-grass (Poa nemoralis). In just a few paces, you’ll emerge into the reedbed – once said to be the largest in South Northumberland.

Sympathetic management mean that in places, the reedbed holds a diverse range of riparian and emergent plant species. In summer, you should note plenty of Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris), Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) and Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), often adorned with clambering Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara). Beneath the taller herbs, the understory holds Tufted Forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), Marsh-bedstraw (Galium palustre) and Water Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides), as well as Water Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile). Don’t get too distracted, however, for the best is still to come.

At undulation.such.visits you’ll find the reserve’s pond-dipping platform. This is far and away the best place at which to observe the site’s scarcer aquatic flora. Expect Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus lingua), Celery-leaved Buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus), Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and Common Water-starwort (Callitriche stagnalis). Marsh Cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) is also present with this small platform being the best place to observe it in all the city. From here, head back on yourself and continue on the boundary ride, past the Beck Hide, until you reach the rear of the reserve at studio.riches.broad. Here you will find a rather lovely SuDS Pond and its associated plant life.

**Marsh Cinquefoil** (*Comarum palustre*)

New species in the pond here will include Canadian Waterweed (Elodea canadensis), Blinks (Montia fontana), and Common Club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris) but the real focal point here comes at fans.remark.dine where you can enjoy a small colony of Melancholy Thistle (Cirsium heterophyllum). After seeing this, return across the pond and follow the path a short distance to the meadow lost.orchestra.mouth where there is a great deal more to see.

First, turn right and follow the path a few paces into a small, open area next to the reserve’s viewing screen. This is a productive spot with Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) and their hybrid, Dactylorhiza x venusta. You can also enjoy Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus), growing alongside naturalised Fox-and Cubs (Pilosella aurantiaca), and in scrubby areas nearby, Bifid Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis bifida) – a rather rare plant in the conurbation. More noteworthy still are the ragworts present with both Marsh Ragwort (Jacobaea aquatica) and its hybrid with Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), easily found. You may find that most of the plants encountered are in fact Jacobaea x ostenfeldii.

Now return the way you came, into the larger meadow. At shed.gallons.form acid soils give rise to a unique community of plants including Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis), Betony, Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) and rarely, Heath Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) growing alongside the abundant orchid species. Heath Wood-rush (Luzula multiflora) also persists here, as does Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica). Look closely at this stage and you should easily find the only known example of Lemon-scented Fern (Oreopteris limbosperma) in all of Newcastle.

This is also a good spot to test your sedge identification skills with a representative suite of species including, by not limited to, Common Yellow-sedge (Carex demissa), Glaucous Sedge (Carex flacca), Carnation Sedge (Carex panicea), Hairy Sedge (Carex hirta), Brown Sedge (Carex disticha) and Common Sedge (Carex nigra).

**Devil’s-bit Scabious**
(*Succisa pratensis*)

Meadow flora changes as you near the next SuDS. Owing to a past seed mix, here groundcover is dominated by Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus var. sativus), Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) and other plentiful species. At frames.apples.tigers, a look in the pond should add Blue Water-speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica), Small Pondweed (Potamogeton berchtoldii) and Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga) to the proceedings and perhaps Bladder-sedge (Carex vesicaria). More Bifid Hemp-nettle can also be found in marginal areas.

From this point, follow the path into the wood to a junction at mops.levels.agents. You know have two options: follow the path to your left for a longer walk through the woodland, or head straight on skirting the lake shore. We’ll do the latter, though taking the alternate route is worthwhile in spring for Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Wild Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. pseudonarcissus) and other woodland species recently introduced on site. The margins of the clearings along this trail, where the felling of non-native Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) has enabled select species to regenerate, offer plants such as Heath Groundsel (Senecio sylvaticus) and Common Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit).

**Heath Groundsel**
(*Senecio sylvaticus*)

Following your chosen route, several notable plants can be found along the tracksides including Heath Speedwell (Veronica officinalis), Heath Bedstraw (Galium saxatile) and more Tormentil, along with some sizeable populations of Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) that look delightful in late Spring. At share.tester.begin do pay attention to the wetland woodland where, among the trunks of Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) you may spot Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris), Remote Sedge (Carex remota) and other interesting plants.

At this stage, you will continue the track, over a rather scenic area of boardwalk, until you reach yet another junction in the trail. At this junction, look out for Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) by the path sides but otherwise, all that remains is to take the central path back to the reserve entrance.

Other interesting plants to look for along the way…

Hairy St. John’s-wort (Hypericum hirsutum), Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica), Mare’s-tail (Hippuris vulgaris), Quaking-grass (Briza media), Marsh Speedwell (Veronica scutellata), Slender St. John’s-wort (Hypericum pulchrum), Tuberous Comfrey (Symphytum tuberosum) and Mountain Currant (Ribes alpinum).

Bird Seed Aliens in the Urban Flora

Bird feeding is a great way to attract birds to a garden, park or wildlife site and a great many of us do it, whether through garden feeders or by broadcasting seed for pigeons and waterfowl. Depending on where seed is sourced, and the treatment it has been subjected to, seed mixes can result in a whole manner of unusual and in some cases exotic plants appearing in urban habitats.

In 1985, a study by Hanson and Mason, published in Watsonia, found that 30 species of plants regularly appear as bird seed aliens. This has only increased in more recent years as botanists across the UK report a growing number of plants springing up from scattered seed. You can find a few interesting titbits on these species here and here.

While recording for the upcoming ‘Urban Flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside’, I have noticed my fair share of these interesting aliens, most prominently around urban lakes where passers-by are known to feed ducks and geese. Inspired, I thought I would highlight some of these here.

Surprise Finds

We’ll start with a trip to Leazes Park in Newcastle City Centre this weekend past. Leazes is a very popular, high footfall site sporting a rather large lake and a local cafe known to supply seed packets for visitors to feed to local waterfowl. It is no surprise then that it has proven itself a most interesting place to hunt for bird seed aliens.

Combing the lake shore, two more surprising finds came in the form of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) and Chia (Salivia hispanica). Hemp is indigenous to Eastern Asia but has spread around the the world as a cultivated cash crop. Browsing the net, it does, however, occur quite commonly as a contaminant even if this is the first time I have found it in a wild state. Chia is much more interesting, at least in a local context, as this record marked its first known occurrence in South Northumberland (VC67).

Growing alongside these unexpected finds was a suite of more familiar “bird seed aliens.” Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a widespread casual species in the city, recorded in about 20 grid squares so far. Niger (Guizotia abyssinica), another frequent sight, often appears wherever bird seed is offered.

Common Amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) and Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) are much scarcer but have now appeared in Leazes Park for three consecutive years, likely due to ongoing reintroduction. Ragweed, also known as “Hay Fever Weed” in many parts of the world, is particularly unwelcome in certain areas due to its allergy-inducing pollen.

Speaking of Leazes Park, it has been interesting to note the fluctuations in populations of certain bird seed aliens. In past years, Thorn-apple (Datura stramonium) has been observed arising from seed and more interestingly, the archaeophyte Vervain (Verbena officinalis) was recently found by botanist, Philip Griffiths. While not conclusive, it seems likely that the latter also occurs as a contaminant of seed mixes.

These are just a few of the flowering plants observed recently and thought to stem from bird seed. Others I have observed across Newcastle include Common Fiddleneck (Amsinckia micrantha) and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) growing around the green at Eldon Square Shopping Centre, presumably born of food spread for pigeons. There must be more out there…

**Common Fiddleneck**
(Amsinckia micrantha)

Grasses

Alien grasses are an interesting bunch and many are thought to stem from birdseed. Some of the more frequent are those which make up the bulk of the seed mixes purchased including Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Two-row Barley (Hordeum distichon), Six-row Barley (Hordeum vulgare) and Oat (Avena sativa). All are a familiar sight in pavements near gardens where birds are fed. Millet (Panicum miliaceum) is less common, but likewise appears wherever birds are fed with regularity.

Just occasionally, more interesting alien grasses can be found also. Of these, two of the most prominent are Cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli), photographed here below by Pru Hamed, and Canary-grass (Phalaris canariensis). The former species appears to be increasing annually as a weed of gutters, wall bases and lake shores, while the second remains a casual plant of disturbed ground close to habitation.

Another interesting grass is Annual Beard-grass (Polypogon monspeliensis). Despite very few local records, this attractive little grass is showing signs of expansion in select neighbourhoods across Newcastle, usually in paved areas close to habitation. Unlike those above, it is self-perpetuating once established and has returned on my street in Heaton now for several years.

A final species worthy of mention is Rye Brome (Bromus secalinus). Now, this species occurs scantly as a crop weed in the Newcastle area but recently, I have found it twice in less typical habitat close to gardens. It doesn’t seem to be widely reported as a bird seed alien but must surely occur in this way.

Walks Through the Flora of Newcastle – Silverlink Circular

Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves. Cue a new series!

These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. Here, we’ll explore Silverlink which while not strictly within the city limits, sits just without and forms part of the wider conurbation.

This is a short, circular walk taking in one of the best botanical sites in North Tyneside. At just 1.2 miles and level throughout, it is very accessible and on a good day in June or July, may result in a tally of around 170 species.

The Biodiversity Park is a small but interesting nature reserve created in the late 1990’s with funding from nearby developers. It was meticulously designed by ecologists and architects to include ponds, woodland, hedgerows, meadows and an impressive piece of landscape art that we will discuss later, while also incorporating several small areas of existing natural land. Your walk begins in the small carpark opposite the Village Hotel (landowner.plants.tint) in Cobalt Business Park.

It is often joked that botanists seldom make it out of the carpark on their outings and here, that will surely be the case with areas of ornamental planting, untouched since 1997, left to develop and spread. Only the hardiest have survived with an impressive patch of Blue Globe-thistle (Echinops bannaticus) immediately visible, alongside a glut of Druce’s Crane’s-bill (Geranium × ⁠oxonianum). You should also note Purple-loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and Dotted Loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata), alongside a thriving population of Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). From the carpark, take the Northernmost of the three major pathways. By doing so, you will pass a small area of grassland to your immediate right which harbours Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) and Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata) and eventually on to another portion of path surrounded on both sides with trees. Walking this path, you will pass a large but mostly inaccessible pond, with viewing only possible at romantics.mixture.supposing.

Even with only some of the pond visible, you should note an interesting array of riparian and aquatic plants, most of which are said to have colonised the site naturally. Expect Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica), Amphibious Bistort (Persicaria amphibia), Floating Sweet-grass (Glyceria fluitans), Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus lingua) among more abundant species. You will then need to backtrack a few meters until you re-join the trail, continuing your way until you pass a neglected interpretation panel and eventually, exit the park. Now you’ll find yourself on a section of Waggonway which you should follow south, skirting the park, for 200m or so.

**Purple-loosestrife** (*Lythrum salicaria*)

Along the Waggonway you will note several uncommon plants growing in areas of disturbance. Among these, Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris), Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Wild Mignonette (Reseda lutea). The shelterbelts contain many seedlings of alien trees and shrubs, including Late Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus), Mougeott’s Whitebeam (Sorbus mougeotii) and Hybrid Alder (Alnus x hybrida), while the Hybrid Willow (Salix × ⁠ smithiana) and White Poplar (Populus alba) are spreading via runners. At proves.barn.reinstate you will encounter a particularly bountiful patch of grassland home to Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare), Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acris), Fairy Flax (Linum catharticum) and Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata). Immediately behind this area, ranker grassland holds Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium).

From here, look behind you and you will note a path leading back into the Biodiversity Park, located almost at the foot of prominent pylon. Taking this path, you will arrive in a small area of meadow. This expanse of grassland is particularly rich with the dominant plant life comprising Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus), Cat’s-ear (Hypochaeris radicata) and Lady’s-bedstraw (Galium verum) alongside Glaucous Sedge (Carex flacca) and various grasses.

In June, this is particularly productive spot for Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) but keen-eyed orchid hunters should also find Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) and their hybrid, Dactylorhiza x venusta. More recently, Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) and Common Twayblade (Neottia ovata) have colonised also. Equally of interest is the abundance of hypericum here with closer inspect revealing that most of the plants here are Des Etangs’ St. John’s-wort (Hypericum × ⁠desetangsii). Once you have explored the meadow, follow the obvious track back to the main footpath and head South until you hit a junction in the path, being sure to note Common Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa), Tall Melilot (Melilotus altissimus) and Meadow Crane’s-bill (Geranium pratense) along the way.

**Northern Marsh-orchid** (*Dactylorhiza purpurella*)

Turning right at the junction, you will emerge into a far larger open area marked by a sloping, grassy hill to your right and several small ponds to your left. These ponds are noteworthy in hosting Tufted Forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), Water Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides), Common Water-starwort (Callitriche stagnalis) and Ivy-leaved Duckweed (Lemna trisulca) but much more interesting is the slope immediately opposite. This represents all that remains of the impressive landscape sculpture created in 1997. Interestingly, this was constructed of one-half sandstone and one-half limestone meaning that in the years since, a sharply contrasting flora has formed across both areas of exposed rock consisting of seeded introductions and natural colonists.

Much of the sandstone area has been overtaken by scrub but look closely and you will note areas of Great Wood-rush (Luzula sylvatica), Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Wood-sage (Teucrium scorodonia) and Water Avens (Geum rivale). Beneath a solitary birch sites the conurbations only know specimen of Heath Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia borealis), perhaps imported as an happy accident among the substrate. Close to this area, you can also find Tyneside’s only population of the rare Pale St. John’s-wort (Hypericum montanum) growing atop parts of the former sculpture.

Atop calcareous areas, you will surely note Betony (Betonica officinalis), Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), Quaking Grass (Briza media), Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata), Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba subsp. sanguisorba) and Chalk Knapweed (Centaurea debauxii) while much more localised are Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) and Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis). Bare areas here hold too the only local population of typically coastal subspecies of Red Fescue, Festuca rubra subsp. juncea.

Taking the central path up the hill and towards the sun dial, you will pass through a large area of neutral grassland dominated by Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Hedge Bedstraw (Galium album) and more abundant species before reaching a flight of ramshackle steps leading to the dial itself. Look, though the flora here is less interesting save for a fantastic display of Cowslips (Primula veris) in late spring. Much more interesting is the path downhill to the sites largest pond where you may note more Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera). The pond itself is much more accessible and scrutiny will reveal Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and Coloured Water-lily (Nymphaea x marliacea) both introduced, and colonists in Spiked Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and Canadian Pondweed (Elodea canadensis). From here you have two options.

Taking the path your right will lead you through woodland and a few sizeable patches of Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) back to the carpark where you began your journey. Head left, however, and you emerge from the park intro Cobalt Business Park with its industrial units and associated amenity areas. Vacant lots here are worthy of exploration and can hold many of the plants commonly associated waste ground, with species such as Bristly Oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides), Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola), Common Cudweed (Filago germanica) and Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) occurring among more abundant weeds.

A final note for those with time to spare is the nearby Village Hotel Pond located just North East of your starting position. Older than the others on site, this has developed a rich riparian community consisting of Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus lingua), Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), Grey Club-rush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani), Bottle Sedge (Carex rostrata) and Bladder Sedge (Carex vesicaria), among other associated plants, and nearby ditches host Great Yellow-cress (Rorippa amphibia), Hybrid Horsetail (Equisetum × ⁠litorale), and False Fox-sedge (Carex otrubae).

Other interesting plants to look for along the way…

Thyme-leaved Sandwort (Arenaria serpyllifolia), Pignut (Conopodium majus), Slender St. John’s-wort (Hypericum pulchrum), Hoary Ragwort (Jacobaea erucifolia), Toad Rush (Juncus bufonius), Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), Creeping-jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), Hoary Plantain (Plantago media), Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) and American Elder (Sambucus canadensis).

Walks Through the Flora of Newcastle – Armstrong Park to Jesmond Dene

Starting out at ancient woodland, the Ouse Burn valley at Jesmond Dene and Armstrong Park, has changed much over the years. In the 19^th century, the valley was home major industrial workings including quarries, watermills, and an iron foundry – elements that have greatly contributed to its present-day aesthetic. In the the 1850s, William George Armstrong, later Lord Armstrong of Cragside, Northumberland, purchased the valley and alongside his wife, enclosed the land for use as private parkland. Managed as a naturalistic garden, Armstrong introduced many and more exotic plants to the dene during his tenure, before eventually gifting the site to the people of Newcastle in 1883.

Since Armstrong’s day, the dene has been managed as a public park, though many of these curious introductions remain, if you know where to look. Together with the site’s native flora, they make Jesmond Dene one of the most eclectic and interesting walks in all of the city, if one of the longer ones at around 3 miles circular.

Your walk begins at the entrance to Armstrong Park from Jesmond Vale Lane (hunt.sounds.pages). In spring, the grassy verge on the Northern most side of the lane is a sight to behold on account of the plentiful spring bulbs left to spread over the decades. The two most numerous are Early Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) and Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), but Spring Crocus (Crocus neapolitanus) are plentiful and Greater Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) and Green Snowdrop (Galanthus woronowii) remain as relics. Heading into the park, you can also observe Snow Crocus (Crocus x hybridus) and Yellow Crocus (Crocus x luteus) dotted absent any obvious pattern, through wooded areas and glades, presumably having outlived their initial, formal arrangements.

**Early Crocus**
(*Crocus tommasinianus*)

Following either one of the paths through the park, either the mid-section or upper-most trail will do, you will notice a wide range of trees and shrubs associated with landscaped Victorian estates. Several of these such as Turner’s Oak (Quercus x turneri) and Portugal Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) have persisted absent spread. Others are now soundly naturalised with two of the more prominent being Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) and Highclere Holly (Ilex x altaclerensis). Other curiosities here include Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) and the curious holly cultivar Ilex aquilifolium ‘Ferox’. Points of interest in the understory during this initial leg include Great Forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) and Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis), both presumably of more recent garden origin.

Dependent on the season of your visit, highlights of this first parkland trail include an expansive area of Winter Heliotrope (Petasites pyrenaicus) at curl.rings.soils; Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) adorning a rock ledge at live.spend.take and what was, until this flora at least, Newcastle’s only known population of Great Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia) at trial.mutual.encounter. However, the true highlight comes in the park’s latter reaches where, in a trend that will continue throughout your walk, a range of ancient woodland axiophytes begin to appear.

During this stretch, expect Lords-and-Ladies (Arum maculatum), Ramsons (Allium ursinum), Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa), among commoner woodland fare. At quiet.brief.nature, be sure to keep a watchful eye for Cabbage Thistle (Cirsium oleraceum) in a damp flush – the origins of this curious plant are unclear, but it may well have persisted here, unnoticed, since Armstrong’s time. From here, all that remains to continue out of the park to Armstrong Bridge, before making the gradual descend into Jesmond Dene via the sloping path towards Red Walk. Along this trail, lookout for another relic, Blue Anemone (Anemone apennina), blooming in spring.

Once you reach the Red Walk, you will find yourself in a large open area named the Coalman’s Field, formerly planted as an arboretum and home to a great many exotic trees. Do play close attention to the wall by the nearby café, in recent years this has been colonised by Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata) that has escaped the café’s ‘green roof’. From here, you have several options as to where to head next. You may need to zigzag slightly to catch all the highlights. First, head towards Pet’s Corner before turning left over small wooden bridge. At the bridge, look towards the burn for some interesting relics in Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa), freely seeding itself in the banks, and Wilson’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida), as well as several native ferns in Lady-fern (Athyrium filix-femina), Borrer’s Male-fern (Dryopteris borreri) and Hart’s-tongue (Asplenium scolopendrium).

Near the fenced compound, just over the bridge, both Green Snowdrop and Autumn Crocus (Crocus nudiflorus) are established in the wood; though needless to say this depends on timing. Follow the trail North past the compound until you reach employ.tricky.riders. Here, lookout for a sizeable stand of Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) with its splendid pink blooms and cast an eye towards the riverbank where you may see Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium oppositifolium) and a modest population of Abraham-Issac-Jacob (Trachystemon orientalis) – more on that one later.

Following this short trail, you will eventually hit a T-junction. Take the stairs down towards the burn where, for a short while, you will skirt the margins of Pet’s Corner. Plants to look out for here include Spotted Laurel (Aucuba japonica), Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and plenty of Pendulous Sedge (Carex pendula). Before long, you will remerge on to the Red Walk, having conveniently avoided the throngs at the petting zoo. Now, you will follow the main thoroughfare deeper into the dene.

**Himalayan Honeysuckle** (*Leycesteria formosa*)

At themes.cuts.nuns, or around about, you’ll notice a set of steps leading upward to the next tier of the dene. Do not take these but instead, loiter at there base where you’ll note expanding populations of Few-flowered Garlic (Allium paradoxum) and Three-cornered Garlic (Allium triquetrum), both beautiful but highly invasive colonists. Here too you may note the non-native form of Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae) and the first of many suspect Carpet Box (Pachysandra terminalis) which seems to thrive here and may well be a hangover from Victorian times given Armstrong’s apparent penchant for Japanese gardening. Indeed, during the next leg of the Red Walk, you may note small areas of False-bucks-beard (Astilbe japonica) and Rodgersia (Rodgersia podophylla) nestled amid native plant species – both presumably introduced by Armstrong.

Continue on the path until you meet a derelict building at tiger.unfair.pipes noting along your way Yellow-flowered Strawberry (Potentilla indica), Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum), Garden Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. argentatum) and more lovely axiophytes including, on this occasion, Wood Speedwell (Veronica montana) and the locally scarce Giant Bellflower (Campanula latifolia), which while sporadic, frequently appears on the banks of the Ouse Burn.

Your next stop will be the Jesmond Dene Mill and nearby artificial waterfall. This is a scenic point at which to pause, and exploration of the nearby area will reveal several notable plants including seedlings of Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium) and Wrinkled Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum) and interesting ferns in Golden-scaled Male-fern (Dryopteris affinis), Soft Shield-fern (Polystichum setiferum) and the first of many Hard Shield-ferns (Polystichum aculeatum) to be observed during your visit. Around the mill, sightings may also include self-sown Western Red-cedar (Thuja plicata) and Lawson’s Cypress (Cupressus lawsoniana), as well as Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus) by the tracksides.

Continue on your way until you reach a solitary private home. Noting some patches of White-stemmed Bramble (Rubus cockburnianus) that have escaped the garden in recent years, cast your eyes back towards the burn where you will find the Ouse Burn Stepping Stones. A foray across is recommended but do be careful as they can be slippery in places.

**Yellow-flowered Strawberry** (*Potentilla indica*)

Immediately over the river, you will encounter a permanently wet slope, perhaps created as a Victorian rockery, where you should encounter the Dene’s largest population of Kidney Saxifrage (Saxifraga hirsuta), another local speciality. Here it grows with Londonpride (Saxifraga x urbium), our native Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage and several fern species. This is also a good spot to look for Giant Bellflower, if you missed it earlier. Once satiated, head across the stepping stones and continue your way, crossing a small road into what is, by all accounts, the wildest part of the dene. You may wish to pause at signal.trying.composers to admire several plants of Bear’s-breech (Acanthus mollis) which were dumped from a nearby garden in 2022 and have since firmly established themselves on the bank.

The next stretch of trail takes you as far as the bridge at Castle Farm Road. Along the way, expect more of the same with interesting ferns and axiophytes. Of note along this stretch is a small population of Hard-fern (Blechnum spicant) at one of its only Newcastle outposts and in spring, the bluebells are worth investigating with both Blubell and Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) present alongside the much more numerous Hybrid Bluebell (Hyacinthoides x massartiana). Do look out for some interesting, pure white native Bluebells at this stage while at the foot of the bridge, you may catch site of the yellow flowers of Marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris), one of the few wetland plants to persist in the now heavily polluted Ouse Burn.

At this point, you may wish to turn back – this has been a rather long walk after all. For intrepid botanists, however, the upper reaches of Jesmond Dene still hold much of interest. Realistically, it may be better to do this walk in two stages but here, we will continue unabated up a flight of steps and through a tunnel, emerging on the opposite side of the bridge. Here you will find yourself surrounded by Abraham-Isaac-Jabob which seems to be doing rather well here of late.

**Kidney Saxifrage** (*Saxifraga hirsuta*)

This final short stretch of the dene receives little upkeep or footfall and as such, remains one of the better places to observe the city’s ancient woodland flora. Expect more of the axiophytes mentioned previous alongside Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis), Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana), False-brome and better still, the rare Wood-melick (Melica uniflora) clinging on in areas of disturbance. The close proximity of gardens mean that a suite of other neophytes have colonised this part of the dene including reoccurring populations of Italian Lords-and Ladies (Arum italicum) and Spring Snowflake (Leucojum vernum). Indeed, new curiosities are appearing all the time as demonstrated by a burgeoning population of Balm (Melissa officinalis) discovered in 2024.

Emerging from the Dene at this point will allow you to easily catch a bus back to your starting point, but the walk back along the uppermost path offers and entirely new set of plants where the drier, more open conditions are perfect for Great Wood-rush (Luzula sylvatica), Wood Meadow-grass (Poa nemoralis), Wood-sage, Broom (Cytisus scoparius) and Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea). Along your way, you should catch sight of several more of the denes unusual relics including Shallon (Gaultheria shallon), Martagon Lily (Lilium martagon) and Dusky Crane’s-bill (Geranium phaeum) but that, I fear, is more than enough for one day save for a pitstop where the path returns to Pet’s Corner.

While they are tricky to find, at video.stole.counts, a Spring visit may reward you with the exquisite flowers of Dog’s-tooth Violet (Erythronium dens-canis), said by local botanists to have grown in the Dene for 30 years or more. This is yet another highlight of this weird but wonderful part of the city.

Other interesting plants to look for along the way…

Pink-purslane (Claytonia sibirica), Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), Atlantic Ivy (Hedera hibernica), Common Bistort (Bistorta officinalis), Wood Burdock (Arctium nemorosum), Wood Sedge (Carex sylvatica), Enchanter’s-nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), Sanicle (Sanicula europaea), Redwood-sorrel (Oxalis oregana), Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), Barren Strawberry (Potentilla sterilis) and Creeping Comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum).

Walks Through the Flora of Newcastle – Walker Riverside

This circular walk of 3.3 miles takes around 3 hours at the height of summer when most of the interesting plants are in bloom. Meandering through several diverse, if somewhat unsightly, urban habitats, it provides a fantastic introduction to the flora of Tyneside’s brownfield and former industrial plots.

Rather unceremoniously, the route begins on Glasshouse Street (occurs.tubes.goat) outside of the Newcastle Resource Recovery Centre or tip, to use more familiar terminology. Here, you may care to explore the closely-sheered verge for Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis), Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acris) and Small-flowered Crane’s-bill (Geranium pusilum) but otherwise, head East for approximately 100m along the Hadrian’s Wall path taking care to note the variety of naturalised alien shrubs present here. Several have gone on to run amuck since their introduction in decades past.

Here, you’ll note Franchet’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster franchetii), Late Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus), Diel’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dielsianus) and Darwin’s Barberry (Berberis darwinii), all of which are well at home along the scrubby bridleway. Before long, you’ll notice a well-trodden throughfare to your right, from which you will emerge intro a small car park on St. Lawrence Road. Seldom sprayed with herbicides, this carpark holds a notable mix of Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum), Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare) and Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris). Of these, the former is notable as a relatively rare species within the city limits.

**Canadian Fleabane** (*Erigeron canadensis*)

From here, cross the road to Dobson’s Crescent, following the road until you reach St. Peter’s Marina. About halfway down, you will notice yet another carpark dedicated in part to the storage of defunct boats. This unassuming patch of land is worthy of investigation as it is one of the few places you can note all three of the conurbation’s small-flowered fleabane species growing side-by-side. With ease, you should encounter Canadian Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis), Gurnsey Fleabane (Erigeron sumatrensis) and our native Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acris), alongside Narrow-leaved Ragwort (Senecio inaequidens), Atlas Poppy (Papaver atlanticum) and several other colonists.

At the marina, hug the banks of the Tyne and head East, over a wooden bridge along Hadrian’s Way. Of note here are Squirreltail Fecue (Vulpia bromoides), Water Bent (Polypogon viridis) and Glabrous Whitlowgrass (Erophila glabrescens) in paved areas, often alongside Greater Quaking-grass (Briza maxima) and Rock Crane’s-bill (Geranium macrorrhizum) that frequently escape nearby gardens.

**Greater Quaking-grass** (*Briza maxima*)

Passing the final house on Hadrian’s Way, you will arrive on a narrow riverside path with dense scrub to your left and riverbank and eventually, the Tyne, to your right. From this point, you’ll enjoy a slow walk of approximately 0.7 miles towards Walker Riverside Park. The scrub is an interesting mix of native colonists and established relics. Of the latter, four are hard to miss with Persian Ivy (Hedera colchica), Many-flowered Rose (Rosa multiflora) and Himalayan Clematis (Clematis montana) dominant over their respective areas. The fourth, Wilson’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida), is present throughout and is quickly becoming a pest. Somewhat harder to spot is the White-stemmed Bramble (Rubus cockburnianus) that persists in places.

Do not spend all your time gazing inland, however, as the tracksides and riverbanks along this stretch of the walk hold much of interest. Black Horehound (Ballota nigra), Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa subsp. sylvestris) and Perennial Wall-rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) are particularly prevalent along the path sides and amid the rubble strewn riverbank you’ll note plenty of naturalised Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) and coastal species such as Sea-aster (Tripolium pannonicum). But more on those seaside plants soon.

Two interesting plants that are much harder to see along this stretch are Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum), tucked away in the rubble heaps, and the hybrid horsetail, Equisetum x littorale, which can be found growing with Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) in select areas. Combing the riverside scrub should also produce Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) and much rarer, Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) while patches of Keeled Garlic (Allium carinatum) persist in places.

Hadrian’s Way will broaden when you reach the first of several parking bays frequented by local anglers – this marks the start of Walker Riverside Park, a sizeable area of restored brownfield managed by Urban Green Newcastle. The pavements at this point are delightfully messy and home to a great many interesting and, in some cases, rare ‘weeds’. Almost immediately, you will notice stands of Ribbed Melilot (Melilotus officinalis) and Tall Melilot (Melilotus altissimus), growing side-by-side for handy comparison; Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre), Great Lettuce (Lactuca virosa) and Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris).

Members of the dead-nettle family can be most diverse and in addition to the common species, one regularly finds Cut-leaved Dead-nettle (Lamium hybridum) and Henbit Dead-nettle (Lamium amplexicaule) growing amid the slabs. All of these can be noted as you continue Eastward along the Tyne; though do stop if you notice a blue flower atop the riverside wall. This will be Peached-leaved Bellflower (Campanula persicifolia) which has been established on-site for several years.

**Peached-leaved Bellflower** (*Campanula persicifolia*)

After around 100m (expect.stamp.plans) the path will narrow to such an extent to necessitate walking in single-file for a short distance. Along this stretch, the interesting weeds and alien shrubs continue with the addition of Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber), Willow-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius) and Himalayan Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii). The real treat here, however, is a glimpse of the saltmarsh flora that would once have been far more widespread along the Tyne. Casting your eyes down the tidal defences you will note a clear transition from Sea-plantain (Plantago maritima) and Buck’s-horn Plantain (Plantago coronopus) in the upper reaches to Sea Aster (Tripolium pannonicum) in the splash zone and eventually Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima) and the samphire lookalike, Purple Glasswort (Salicornia ramosissima) in the exposed mud. You can inspect all of these plants again on the remnants of St. Anthony’s Landing Stage further downstream (factor.reach.mice) so do not feel obliged to slide down the bank. At the stage, now well overtaken by nature, keep your eyes peeled too for Annual Sea-blite (Suaeda maritima), Hybrid Couch (Elymus x laxus) and Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata).

After exploring the relic saltmarsh, continue Hadrian’s Way via a short flight of steps lined to each side by dense shrubbery, and plenty of established Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lanata). Doing so, you’ll eventually emerge into an open area marked by bountiful grassland to left and again, the Tyne to your right. This is the site of the former St. Anthony’s Lead Works and is perhaps the most interesting portion of the walk.

The grassland, scrub and riverbanks here sit atop the former St. Anthony’s Quay are especially floriferous, though the origin of many species is uncertain. A seed mix was undoubtedly applied many years ago, and has introduced several curiosities, but ballast and natural colonisation may also have played a part. With ease, you will note copious Common Restharrow (Ononis repens), Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), Musk-mallow (Malva moschata), Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) and Chalk Knapweed (Centaurea debeauxii), all of which likely stem from strewn seed. With care, you should also pick out Lucerne (Medicago sativa subsp. sativa), Spiny Restharrow (Ononis spinosa), and Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) while Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare) is increasingly common and Large-flowered Evening Primrose (Oenothera glazioviana) is a more recent colonist.

While it is possible to spend the entirely of your time along this stretch admiring the grassland, don’t – a look towards the river will not disappoint. The post-industrial banks here hold much of note including Hoary Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana), Traveller’s-joy (Clematis vitalba), Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acris), White Stonecrop (Sedum album) and Spreading Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster divaricatus). Perhaps most notable of all are healthy colonies of Flattened Meadow-grass (Poa compressa) which favours cracks and crevices in the stonework, and discrete patches of Keeled Garlic (Allium carinatum), presumably washed downstream from larger populations in Northumberland.

A final note here again centres on trees and shrubs and several of the species introduced in decades past have since gone on to seed or spread abundantly. Look out for Grey Alder (Alnus incana), False-acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) and Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa).

**Hoary Mustard** (*Hirschfeldia incana*)

At this point, and you will begin the return leg of the trip. Doubling back along Hadrian’s Way you will notice a mud path (successes.shades.pretty) linking the riverside to an unexplored area up hill. Follow this and after around 40m, you will emerge into a clearing. This will instantaneously strike you as a demolition site and indeed it is with this small area of rubble and concrete representing all that remains of the lead works. This is another highlight of the walk and holds many plants that are altogether rare in the wider conurbation. Some such as Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria) and Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) may have spread from nearby seeded areas, but others are trickier to explain. On a good day in summer, you should observe the bell-shaped blooms of Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata), spreading patches of Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), Quaking-grass (Briza media), Des Etang’s St. John’s-wort (Hypericum x desetangsii) and a healthy population of Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata). Wild Thyme (Thymus drucei) has also colonised areas of exposed stone and Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) is dominant across the whole area – a rare sight in these parts.

From this area, head West, passed some bollards intended to deter fly-tippers and out on to Pottery Bank. Attention should be paid to the small area of now rather rank grassland (yarn.hung.gladiators) immediately adjacent to the road which in past years has held both Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) and Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis). A little uphill, you will rejoin the Hadrian’s Wall Path which you will follow for roughly 1.5 miles back to St. Peter’s. Travelling back on this higher plane, you will find yourself surrounded by planted amenity woodland. While the canopy is uninspiring, the shrub layer is rather eclectic.

In addition to several of the cotoneasters mentioned previously, look out for Chinese Bramble (Rubus tricolor), Blue Holly (Ilex x meserveae), Box-leaved Honeysuckle (Lonicera pileata) and rampant Chenault’s Coralberry (Symphoricarpos x chenaultii). In places, ground cover is dominated by another introduction, Atlantic Ivy (Hedera hibernica) – though at least this is native – and do take heed of the small electricity substation (device.files.lifted). Here, you will encounter Newcastle’s only established population of Balkan Spurge (Euphorbia oblongata). Eventually, you will emerge by the tip where you began your journey.

Other interesting plants to look for along the way…

Fern-grass (Catapodium rigidum), Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Swedish Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster x suecicus), Borrer’s Male-fern (Dryopteris borreri), Sheep’s-fescue (Festuca ovina), Meadow Crane’s-bill (Geranium pratense), Slender St. John’s-wort (Hypericum pulchrum), Wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), Hoary Ragwort (Jacobaea erucifolia), Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba subsp. sanguisorba), Horse-radish (Armoracia rusticana), Green Field-speedwell (Veronica agrestis) and Hybrid Alder (Alnus x hybrida).

Frustrating Ferns at Hareshaw Linn

I must confess that although I have been botanising for some time now, ferns have proven a difficult group to master. Indeed, master is probably the wrong word as despite countless trips in search of the species found across North East England, I am still but a novice. Or perhaps an improver!

Despite the difficulties associated with telling many of them apart, August is a great month to look closer at ferns and last week, I decided it was high time I bit the bullet and factored them into the programme of ‘Botanists Year’ trips I am currently leading for the Natural History Society. Knowing the perfect place, with 10 botanists in toe, we decided on a visit to the pteridologist’s paradise that is Hareshaw Linn in Northumberland.

Starting out, a variety of common and widespread ferns were easy to find as we made our way into the wooded valley. Broad Buckler-fern (Dryopteris dilatata), Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and Male-fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) came first, followed by the distinctive Hard-fern (Blechnum spicant) and later, some rather nice stands of Polypody (Polypodium vulgare). Upon scrutiny when I returned home, these were confirmed to the be common sort.

In the initial stages of our walk at Hareshaw Linn, several other interesting plants were noted too including Wood Melick (Melica uniflora), Giant Fescue (Schedonorus giganteus) and a sizeable patch of Good-king-henry (Blitum bonus-henricus) but ferns soon rose to the fore once more with new additions in Lady-fern (Athyrium filix-femina), with it’s lovely j-shaped sori, and the first of the day’s scaly male-ferns. After a closer look, this was revealed to be Golden-scaled Male-fern (Dryopteris affinis) on account of the rounded, toothed lower pinnule.

In my experience, most of the scaly male-ferns I check near Newcastle turn out to be Borrer’s Male-fern (Dryopteris borreri) but this did not appear to be the case at Hareshaw. Indeed, checking dozens of ferns along the initial leg of our walk, almost all proved to be affinis. We did, however, find a nice example of Borrer’s Male-fern a little further into the Linn, spending some time ogling its distinctive, square pinnules.

This aside, other new ferns included Soft Shield-fern (Polystichum setiferum), likely a new colonist at this site, and Hard Shield-fern (Polystichum aculeatum) which provided a nice opportunity for comparison. Other notable plants included Wood Horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum) and Marsh Hawk’s-beard (Crepis paludosa).

The first true highlights came after crossing a small bridge in a deeper part of the Linn where we encountered an entirely new species for me in Beech Fern (Phegopteris connectilis). A rather rare species in our area, this fern is much more numerous in parts of Scotland, Cumbria and Wales were it favours woodlands dominated by Oak. It proved to be quite the lovely little plant.

Pausing for lunch about midway into the wood, we were pleased to stumble across a bankside strewn with Oak Fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris) – a species I see very infrequently in the North East. This proved ample compensation for failing to find even a single example of Lemon-scented Fern (Oreopteris limbosperma) which I know from past walks inhabits the site also. Keen to add a few more species to our swelling tally, from here it was a straight hike to the site’s famed waterfall where a few more species awaited.

Arriving at the waterfall, we were pleased to note several examples of Hart’s-tongue (Asplenium scolopendrium), a typically common fern that had proved conspicuously absent thus far during our trip. The real excitement here was to be found in the walls of the ravine however, where, alongside some nice examples of Brittle Bladder-fern (Cystopteris fragilis) the group found many examples of Lobed Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes subsp. pachyrachis) – this being the only place you can see this lovely little fern in all of Northumberland. The subspecies of Maidenhair Spleenwort differs from that we see in garden walls in having scalloped margins to the leaflets and grows mainly on limestone outcrops, typically where conditions are very humid.

Interestingly, I had also expected to find Green Spleenwort (Asplenium viride) on this outcrop also, having noted it on trips in 2020 and 2022. Hopefully it is still kicking about there somewhere…

More Beech Fern (*Phegopteris connectilis*)

I make that 15 fern species in just a few hours – not bad going at all. In reality, the total was 18 including Wall-rue (Asplenium ruta-muraria), Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens) and Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum) observed as we departed from Newcastle. All in all, the trip was a success and I would strongly recommend that anyone with a penchant for ferns pay Hareshaw Linn a visit. You will not leave disappointed.

Exciting Botanical Discoveries in and Around Newcastle

Now that I’m over halfway through recording (and writing) an ‘Urban Flora’ for Newcastle and North Tyneside, you would think the surprises would have dried up somewhat. However, that does not seem to be the case. Despite visits to all monads across the conurbation and over 950 species recorded, new and exciting plants are turning up still. Whether they are entirely new species — sometimes for the city, sometimes for the county—or simply rare or unusual plants in new places, there has been much to enjoy in recent weeks. Here are a few recent highlights…

Rustyback (Asplenium ceterach)

Rustyback (Asplenium ceterach) is a Rare Plant Register species in VC67, meaning it is rare enough to warrant mentioning to a County Recorder whenever it is seen. Within the urban flora area, there is just one site for this species—an alleyway in Chirton—so I hadn’t expected to encounter it anywhere else. Imagine my surprise, then, when I stumbled across the rather lovely specimen pictured below (again in an alley) in Brunswick a few months back. Rumour has it that this fern is increasing in our region, so it will be interesting to see if it appears at yet more sites.

Snow-white Wood-rush (Luzula nivea)

Just over a month ago, Matt and I said out to explore Fordley Planta, a weird little community nature reserve located near Annitsford on the edge of the survey area. This turned out to be an interesting trip with local residents having guerrilla-planted several oddities in the otherwise unassuming little woodland. Few of these had spread beyond their initial position but one which had was Snow-white Wood-Rush (Luzula nivea), a plant native to the Alps and Pyrenees, seemingly well at home in North East England. In an hour’s exploration, we found several clumps of this attractive little plant. Dare it say that I prefer it to our native Great Wood-rush?

Galium x pomeranicum

This one is a little overdue with so much Hedge Bedstraw and Lady’s-bedstraw kicking about in Newcastle. Still, on a recent Natural History Society trip to Newcastle City Centre, I was pleased to encounter a nice example of this floriferous hybrid growing atop waste ground with both of its parents. Since then, it has turned up along Scotswood Road too where both of its parents have been introduced via an amenity seed mix.

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

For a short while now, a rampant honeysuckle overtaking a section of riverside scrub at Willington Gut, Wallsend, has been giving me sleepless nights. Knowing it was something ‘different’ but failing to catch it in flower (or fruit!) for two years straight, a few weeks back, I returned for another look. Thankfully, I caught the plant in bloom on this occasion and was able to confirm it as Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). This is a fairly frequent escapee in other parts of the country but until now, had not been reported at all in VC67. With several rather large plants present, it looked firmly established.

Common Wintergreen (Pyrola minor)

Far from common, for a few years now the only known population of this lovely little plant within the city was to be found at Gosforth Nature Reserve – I hadn’t expected to encounter it anywhere else. You can imagine my surprise then when during a trip to enjoy the displays of Dune Helleborine (Epipactis dunensis) at Newburn Riverside, I almost knelt on a patch while admiring the orchids. Once the site of the former Newburn Steelworks, this particular stretch of riverbank has developed a rather rich scrub community, likely atop soils heavily polluted with trace metals. Much of the site is due to be developed in the near future but I hope that this (and the helleborines) may avoid the bulldozers due to their positioning on the edge of the area.

Reversed Clover (Trifolium resupinatum)

Now this is an odd one. While exploring the town of Dudley a few weeks back, I opted to for a walk along the margins of some nearby arable fields where, among other unusual species such as Rye Brome (Bromus secalinus) I stumbled across the curious clover shown below. With a bit of digging, this was revealed to be Reversed Clover (Trifolium resupinatum), a grain or bird seed alien of Asian origin. How it got here is a bit of mystery though speaking with other botanists, it is likely to be been a crop contaminant.

Egyptian Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum)

An even more unusual find at Dudley came in the form of Egyptian Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum). Now, I confess, I hadn’t even heard of this one but again it looks to occur as a seed contaminant. However it got there, this marked the first record for South Northumberland.

Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella)

Something native now and while pottering about the site of the former Brenkley Colliery site near Dinnington, I was surprised to encounter a single Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella) growing beside a long neglected haulage track. This wouldn’t have been too noteworthy out in rural Northumberland where this species is uncommon but rather widespread, but in the city, it is an entirely different story. To date, this is the only record within the Newcastle city limits.

Lesser Water-parsnip (Berula erecta)

This has to be one of the highlights of the survey so far and a genuine surprise while walking a stretch of the Seaton Burn in the north of the conurbation. Lesser Water-parsnip (Berula erecta) is a terribly rare plant in South Northumberland and at one stage, was presumed locally extinct when its last known population at Ponteland died out. The population at Seaton Burn, spread out over 50m or so, is therefore rather notable and marks the first confirmed sighting of this riparian plant in a few decades, at least. Jampacked with other interesting aquatics, this stretch of river may turn up further noteworthy finds stills and represents some of the best wetland habitat to be seen locally.

Lesser Swine-cress (Lepidium didymum)

Despite it’s status as an abundant weed of damp and disturbed places in southern parts of the UK, Lesser Swine-cress (Lepidium didymum) is perplexingly scarce in the North East. So much so that it is another species featuring on the Rare Plant Register for South Northumberland. Perhaps this is truly the case or perhaps it is simply overlooked as either way, I have recorded it from three new sites in just two months. Firstly, from a flowerbed Kingston Park and later, from an abandoned car park at Arthur’s Hill. The final sighting, pictured below, came from disturbed ground in Jesmond Old Cemetery. I suspect it will turn up at further sites still.

Lawn Lobelia (Pratia angulata)

Concluding with what may be the most unexpected find of all and a few weeks back, a walk through an unassuming housing estate in Killingworth came up trumps with a sighting of Lawn Lobelia (Pratia angulata) unsurprisingly, growing out of a garden lawn. A rather attractive little flower, this species is native to New Zealand and is highly localised across the UK. How it came to reach the lawn in question is anyone’ could’s guess but either way, this marked the first known occurrence of this species in the vice-county. I’ve said it before, there is always something new to find in the city…

First, some ground rules

Meet the Insect App Test subjects

Comparing Insect Apps

ObsIdentify vs Picture Insect

ObsIdentify (9.7/10)

Picture Insect (7.4/10)

Google Lens (2.6/7)

Seek (1.1/7)

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Identifying Oxalis

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Fruits Red

Similar Species in Cultivation

Fruits Orange-red to Orange

References

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Surprise Finds

Grasses

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Rustyback (Asplenium ceterach)

Snow-white Wood-rush (Luzula nivea)

Galium x pomeranicum

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Common Wintergreen (Pyrola minor)

Reversed Clover (Trifolium resupinatum)

Egyptian Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum)

Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella)

Lesser Water-parsnip (Berula erecta)

Lesser Swine-cress (Lepidium didymum)

Lawn Lobelia (Pratia angulata)

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