Autumn gentian with eyebright ‘Have you found a four-leaved clover?' he called.
‘ We have something rare. Come and see, if you’d like to.’
On a south-facing slope In the short turf at our feet the flowers of Autumn gentian amongst dark linear leaves. Not spectacular like Alpine gentian. but small and intricate and – being hard to find- the more precious. Felwort, a plant of the fells. Flowers seek pollinators so when light and temperature fall low, like today, their strategy is to close up petals to safeguard nectar and pollen until it's brighter and insects are out foraging. ‘Dull purple, blue, pink or whitish’ writes botanist Marjorie Blamey in her ‘Flora of Britain and Northern Europe.’
‘ We have something rare. Come and see, if you’d like to.’
On a south-facing slope In the short turf at our feet the flowers of Autumn gentian amongst dark linear leaves. Not spectacular like Alpine gentian. but small and intricate and – being hard to find- the more precious. Felwort, a plant of the fells. Flowers seek pollinators so when light and temperature fall low, like today, their strategy is to close up petals to safeguard nectar and pollen until it's brighter and insects are out foraging. ‘Dull purple, blue, pink or whitish’ writes botanist Marjorie Blamey in her ‘Flora of Britain and Northern Europe.’
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