Joyden's Wood - Green

Bluebells, Hyacinthoides non-scriptum, and Lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria majus.  Joyden's Wood, 12 May 2012.

Here are some photos from the trip to Joyden's Wood with a green and leafy emphasis.

Parts of the wood were full of Lily-of-the-valley, just coming into flower.  Bluebells are at their height or just past, and in places we could see both growing and flowering together.

Heath Wood-rush, Luzula multiflora.  Joyden's Wood, 12 May 2012.

We saw several species of Wood-rush, a group I am not at all good at.  I thought this was a Field Wood-rush, but it turns out to be a Heath Wood-rush.  The flowers below belong to the related Southern Wood-rush.

Southern Wood-rush, Luzula forsteri.   Joyden's Wood, 12 May 2012.

These fresh and tender leaves belong to the scarce Wild Service Tree.

New leaves of a Wild Service Tree, Sorbus torminalis.  Joyden's Wood, 12 May 2012.

Just by one of the paths, this sapling has been cordoned off to let it grow in peace.  The parent tree is not far away.  This species has an interesting history.  Its berries must be bletted before being eaten; that is, allowed to go soft with decay.  They were once used to flavour beer, and have also been used as a cure for colic.

Shining Crane's-bill, Geranium lucidum.  Joyden's Wood, 12 May 2012.

Several of these plants were growing among robust stinging nettles at the side of the path.  Paths through woods are excellent places to find interesting plants; they can harbour woodland and grassland species, and the inhabitants get more light and water than they would under the trees.

Most Geranium species are pretty hairy, but these glistening leaves only have a few scattered hairs.  The name Crane's-bill refers to the shape of the fruit, which will mostly be along later; you can see one just starting to develop about 2/3 down and just left of centre.

Sanicle, Sanicula europaea.  Joyden's Wood, 12 May 2012.

The dark and glossy leaves of the low-growing Sanicle have a shiny undersurface, which does not appear in this photo. 

Last for today is the first photo I took on this trip.  This is the underside of a Dock leaf, showing marks and holes that suggest it has been attacked by something.

A leaf of Broad-leaved Dock, Rumex obtusifolius, with marks of insect attack. Joyden's Wood, 12 May 2012.

Coincidentally, later on I found several specimens of a squash bug that attacks Docks.  That is a possible explanation for these markings, though they were some way away from this plant.