#wildflowerhour

@bramblebotanist.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Lots of #FavouritePlant s to choose from this year, mainly things seen botanising with the wonderful @ghostofdatura.bsky.social Days adventuring together and seeking rare plants were some of my bestest of days. Names on alt #wildflowerhour

@sarahfaulkner.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Reflecting on my #favouriteplant of 2026, this Pale Flax comes in third place.

Not rare and just growing in the verge - they didn't look like much from across the road, but I went over for a closer look and I'm soooo glad I did, what an unexpected treat - such beautiful flowers. 😍

#wildflowerhour

@jeremyjem.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Difficult to choose a single #favouriteplant for the #WildflowerHour challenge, so I've plumped for 2 lovely "wow!" factor orchids I saw for the 1st time this summer: Fly Orchid & Violet Helleborine. More details in ALT. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social

The flowers of the Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) are a marvel to see! Not only do they mimic the appearance of a female Digger wasp (Argogorytes fargeii), but they also emits a chemical scent that perfectly mimics the sex pheromones of female insects. Attracted by the scent, males frantically attempt to mate with the flower, whereby the sticky pollen packets (pollinia) glue themselves to the wasp's head or body and are then transferred to the next Fly Orchid flower.The flowers of the Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) are a marvel to see! Not only do they mimic the appearance of a female Digger wasp (Argogorytes fargeii), but they also emits a chemical scent that perfectly mimics the sex pheromones of female insects. Attracted by the scent, males frantically attempt to mate with the flower, whereby the sticky pollen packets (pollinia) glue themselves to the wasp's head or body and are then transferred to the next Fly Orchid flower.The Violet Helleborine (Epipactis purpurata) is found in shaded woodlands, particularly under beech trees, and are so named for purple, violet, or dark lilac tint found on its grey-green stems, leaves, and outer parts of the flowers. The flower produces nectar that acts like alcohol on wasps, causing them to become tipsy and stagger around. In doing so,they become covered in pollen, which they are unable to clean off themselves. In their temporary inebriated state, they crawl from flower to flower and successfully pollinate the orchids.The Violet Helleborine (Epipactis purpurata) is found in shaded woodlands, particularly under beech trees, and are so named for purple, violet, or dark lilac tint found on its grey-green stems, leaves, and outer parts of the flowers. The flower produces nectar that acts like alcohol on wasps, causing them to become tipsy and stagger around. In doing so,they become covered in pollen, which they are unable to clean off themselves. In their temporary inebriated state, they crawl from flower to flower and successfully pollinate the orchids.
@haggewoods.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Because it fringes northern woodlands like a petticoat, and spangles spring hedgerows with beauty, & host literally hundreds of inverts. And because the blue, bloomed fruits make sloe gin, and gin references remind me of @naturelark.bsky.social I don't know why. 🤭
#FavouritePlants #WildflowerHour

@wildflowerhour.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Woohoo! It’s Sunday & it’s 8pm so it must be time for #wildflowerhour! 🥳 Please share your pics of any wild or naturalised blooms you’ve spotted this week from across Britain & Ireland & also tell us what your #favouriteplant of 2026 was, the focus of our last weekly challenge!

@notfrangible.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Definitely a “Well hello! What are you doing here?!” moment in Melksham in February. A #FavouritePlant and county first (which is nice) Mediterranean Nettle Urtica membranacea for #WildflowerHour

@cycle4nature.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

#FavouritePlant #2 2026 — Bee Orchid f. bicolor. My wife and I found 39 in a single colony on private land this summer — an extraordinary number for a form so rarely seen in Britain, especially in VC29. And we hadn’t even searched the whole colony. Still slightly mind-blowing! 😅
#WildflowerHour

@cycle4nature.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

#FavouritePlant of 2026 — Oxlip.
We’re very lucky to have these growing locally in ancient woodland. Flowering in March, even before our county flower, the Pasqueflower, they mark the start of the wildflower season for me.
And I still enjoy being told they’re Cowslips 😅
#WildflowerHour

@haggewoods.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Zygaena filipendulae, Six-spot burnet, on Knautia arvensis L., Field Scabious, because it provides pollen and nectar over a long season, and plays host to party time for many invertebrates. #FavouritePlants #WildflowerHour

@catherinecoxon.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

A few flowers still in bloom on Iorras Aithneach, Conamara: Harebell (Méaracán gorm, Campanula rotundifolia) #FavouritePlant, Marsh Woundwort (Cabhsadán, Stachys palustris), Devil’s Bit Scabious (Odhrach bhallach, Succisa pratensis) and Sea Rocket (Cearrbhacán mara, Cakile maritima) #WildflowerHour

@annashergold.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

For wildflowerhour, I had a damp walk this afternoon. The recent rain had made the grass greener, and we have some flowers 💕. Today water mint, creeping thistle, buttercup and clover. #wildflowerhour #stillflowering

Water mint (Mentha aquatica) usually a lovely smell along this bit of my walk, but this year there’s been very little mint as it’s been too dry Creeping thistle Buttercup (in the rain) Red clover
@vc28nature.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Favourite plant this year was Herniaria glabra (Smooth Ruturewort). A small and insignificant plant which repays patient scrutiny along the forest rides on the Norfolk Brecks, looking carefully for the acid green patches of this plant. Such a bonus if you find it!
#favouriteplants
#wildflowerhour

Herniaria glabra
@haggewoods.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Menyanthes trifoliata L. Bog Bean, in the folk pharmacopoeia of mainly northern bogs, prized as a tonic bitter, & for digestive problems. In Shetland as a cure for jaundice, & in Lewis for asthma, (clearing the tubes). There are pin-eyed and thrum-eyed variants. #FavouritePlant #WildflowerHour

i don't need a reason ...the thrum-eyed variant of Menyanthes trifoliata
@botanybeck.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

My #FavouritePlant of 2026 for #wildflowerhour has to be this one. It’s been on my wish list for such a long time, the stunning hybrid between the Bee and Fly Orchid!
Such enchanting, fascinating flowers! 🪰🐝 🥰

@martifarrow.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

#favouriteplants for #WildflowerHour
🫧💞🕊️🫧Centranthus ruber - Red Valerian, in flower pretty much every month this year. Hummingbird Hawkmoth visits a lovely highlight. Thought I’d a video, but can’t find it! 🤔
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social 🌱

Deep pink Centranthus ruber and starry white Bedstraw flowersCentranthus ruber at night - moths feedingCentranthus ruber growing in paving cracks - a source of irritation to my partner!
@bramblebotanist.bsky.socialtag:wildflowerhour

Some York Groundsel Senecio eboracensis plants appear to have weathered the drought above ground, & are now in full flower. Good plants currently opposite York Station, convenient for the travelling botanist #wildflowerhour A #FavouritePlant of mine, having been involved in its de-extinction

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