Thursday 3 May 2007

Kilpatrick Hills, West Dunbartonshire

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) :a photo-study:

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)
Bracken is poisonous, the entire plant (including spores) contains the carcinogenic chemical ptaquiloside. Bracken also contains the enzyme thiaminase I, which breaks down thiamine (vitamin B1) and can cause thiamine deficiency. Despite its toxicity, a number of insect species feed solely on this plant.

Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis), Ivy-leaved Crowfoot (Ranunculus hederaceus) and Common Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) are flowering at 'little round top'.

Orange-tip Butterflies (Anthocharis cardamines) are on the wing.

Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis)
Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis)
grass