On Wednesday spells of cold rain and hailstone showers marked the day but there were some long periods of sunshine. The temperature managed to reach 12 C. for a short time. The cool, light to fresh wind kept the effect to around 10 C and less.
In the morning and later afternoon a woolly hat did not seem out of place.
Urban roadside grass verges are not often appreciated as wildflower refuges but the increasing trend to pave and concrete over everything on our urban environments makes these seemingly insignificant areas an important habitat for small, sometimes inconspicuous wildplants.
These verges are mowed by the council 7 times each year, the time in between is often long enough for annual flowers to complete their life cycles.
The perennials such as Dandelions Taraxacum officinale may have their flowers chopped but are quickly replaced.
Among the plants showing in the verges locally are masses of Hairy Bittercress Cardamine hirsuta.
The recent warmer weather and rain has seen a spurt of growth from these 5-10 cm high relatives of Mustard and Cabbage. The small white flowers top hairless stems supporting pinnate leaves with up to 5 pairs of hairy leaflets.
Growing alongside them in the short grass are the related Shepherd's-Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris, distinguished by it's small heart-shaped fruits.
The patches of colourful Red dead-nettle Lamium purpureum a member of the mint family, have been putting on a strong show for some weeks helping to make a walk along the road to the shops or local school a more interesting and enjoyable experience.
Roadside verges are featured in County Habitat Action Plans and are protected where significant wildlife is identified
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