More flora of West Swindon

An outbreak of Meadow Cranesbill  (Geranium pratense) by the cycle track near John Lewis at Home. Photo from 22/6/14.

Great Water-dock (Rumex hydrolapathum) by the remnant of canal. Photo 22/6/14.

Same day again (but now 21:45). Here's something I don't remember seeing before. In a small neglected town garden, young ash-trees absolutely devastated by some leaf-eater.

[The only image I could find that somewhat resembled this turned out to be Green Scarab Beetles (Diphucephala) devouring the leaves of an Australian Alphitonia tree - in Brisbane!]

Two more pics below:

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Toad Rush (Juncus bufonius) , a significant lawn-like colony in the shade of the pedestrian underpass that connects West Swindon District Centre ("The Link") to Shaw Ridge. Usually flooded in January. Toad Rush grows where the soil never truly dries out.

This is J. bufonius sensu strictu, according to the classification published by Cope and Stace in 1978:

http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/Wats12p113.pdf

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On the other side of the Link centre, on the edge of the shallow ponds, I found Common Club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris, formerly called Scirpus lacustris) with its round stems. In my opinion these ponds could do with some TLC, they are choked with slime and litter, but these plants are excellent. Until recently the books also called this Bulrush, but Stace sensibly went with everyday usage and reserves this name for the familiar Typha latifolia.



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Whichever way the weathercock turns
Grasses sedges rushes and ferns.

Golden meadow a haze in the sun
Deep in the shadow where the waters run.