On The Grassland

Patch primarily of Primrose, Primula vugaris.    Burnt Gorse, High Elms, 20 April 2013.

So, the last two posts were in Cuckoo Wood.  It will be full of bluebells soon.  Meanwhile, though, there are also early flowers on the patches of chalk grassland in the High Elms estate.

Primroses are among the first flowers people expect to see. 

Primrose, Primula vugaris.    Burnt Gorse, High Elms, 20 April 2013.

But if you look at the top photo, you can also see another early flower.  Several types of wild violet come out in Spring.

Hairy violet, Viola hirta.     Burnt Gorse, High Elms, 20 April 2013.

The fragrant Sweet Violet, the Early Dog-violet and the Common Dog-violet can be found in the woods, and this one typically grows on chalk grasslands.  This Hairy Violet and the Dog-violets are very much alike, but the dog-violets have pointier sepals.

Hairy violet, Viola hirta.     Burnt Gorse, High Elms, 20 April 2013.

The area known as Burnt Gorse, from a name on an old tithe-map, is grassland, but once it gets going you will have to look hard to see the grass amongst all the wildflowers.  Even now, about half of what looks like grass in the top photo is actually small sedges.