Plants I've Identified

Welcome. My name is Ewan and I'm a third year plant science undergraduate at the University of Edinburgh. I currently work at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh on the extensive backlog of lichens. I am also a trustee of the Botanical Society of Scotland and I regularly go on botanical excursions. This is my collection of plants that I've discovered, photographed and identified. Details on the plants can be viewed by hovering your mouse over a photo and clicking on the date from the drop down box. You can also search for plants using the search bar at the top right, try searching for a species or a family. A full list of identified plants can be accessed via the 'Archive' link. Lastly, if you have any questions or wish to make a correction, please drop me an e-mail.

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Triglochin maritima 28/09/2014 Family: Juncaginaceae (Arrow-grass) Genus: Triglochin Species: T. maritima Common Name: Sea Arrow-grass Location: NO502252 Habitat: This monocotyledon occurs in brackish marsh areas next to the coast. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Hyocyamus niger 28/09/2014 Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade) Genus: Hyocyamus Species: H. niger  Common Name: Henbane Location: NT651788 Habitat: This extremely poisonous plant grows usually on waste ground near buildings, close to the sea.  Determiner: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus. 

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Solanum dulcamara 31/08/2014 Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade) Genus: Solanum Species: S. dulcamara Common Name: Bittersweet Nightshade  Location: NT268702 Habitat: This invasive plant occurs in a very wide range of habitats, from woodlands to scrubland, hedges and marshes. It is also poisonous to humans and its attractive berries and urban setting make this plant dangerous for young children. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Cakile maritima 31/08/2014 Family: Brassicaceae (Cabbage) Genus: Cakile Species: C. maritima Common Name: Sea Rocket Location: NT516859 Habitat: As the name suggests this plant usually grows next to the sea. Most often found at the top of the beach where grasses such as Marram (Ammophila arenaria) and Sea Lyme (Leymus arenarius) begin to pop up. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Scop.

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Geranium sanguineum 31/08/2014 Family: Geraniaceae (Geranium) Genus: Geranium Species: G. sanguineum Common Name: Bloody Crane’s-bill Location: NT441773 Habitat: Can be quite varied in where it grows, i've only found it in coastal areas. Rocky slack behind the coast but also growing on Arthurs Seat. Though officially it grows in woods, especially deciduous forests, forest edges, the dry bushy hillsides, arid grasslands and xerophilous scrubs. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Centaurium erythraea 19/08/2014 Family: Gentianaceae (Gentian) Genus: Centaurium  Species: C. erythraea Common Name: Common Centaury Location: NO502252 Habitat: This plant usually grows on grassy places or dunes and flowers between June and October Determiner: Dr Chris Jeffree Authority: Rafn.

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Solanum tuberosum 18/08/2014 Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade) Genus: Solanum Species: S. tuberosum Common Name: Potato Location: TQ430610 Habitat: This member of the nightshade family has been cultivated for a very long time. It originally grew in the Andes before being brought over here in the 1700s. The flowers, like many of solanaceae, have fused stamens. Determiner: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Vicia cracca 16/07/2014 Family: Fabaceae (Pea) Genus: Vicia Species: V. cracca Common Name: Tufted Vetch Location: NT071676 Habitat: This particular vetch is the only one to have towers of flowers so it is easy to spot, it usually grows on the margins of woods or in rough grassland scrambling among the grasses. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Anagallis arvensis 15/07/2014 Family: Primulaceae Genus: Anagallis Species: A. arvensis Common Name: Scarlet Pimpernel or Poor Man's Weatherglass Location: SE541673 Habitat: Habitat: Usually grows on bare or disturbed ground, this particular individual photographed was found along a forest track,next to Reseda alba and Verbascum thapsus. It is interesting in the fact that it closes its flowers when it is cloudy. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Linaria repens 14/07/2014 Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) Genus: Linaria Species: L. repens Common Name: Pale Toadflax  Location: SE521661 Habitat: This plant usually grows in dry., bare, grassy places. It was found growing on waste rubble in a brick making facility.Nearby species included Linaria vulgaris and Sisymbrium officinale. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Mill.

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Myrica Gale 13/07/2014 Family: Myricaceae Genus: Myrica Species: M. gale Common Name: Bog Myrtle Location: NT240749 Habitat: Habitat: Growing at the waterside of an urban lake, nearby species include Lythrum salicaria, Juncus effusus and Iris pseudocorus.THis species is very fragrant and can be used to flavour wine and beer. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Lythrum salicaria 12/07/2014 Family: Lythraceae Genus: Lythrum Species: L. salicaria Common Name: Purple Loosestrife Location: NT240749 Habitat: Habitat: Growing at the waterside of an urban lake, nearby species include Myrica gale, Juncus effusus and Iris pseudocorus. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Ophrys apifera 06/07/2014 Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid) Genus: Ophrys Species: O. apifera Common Name:  Bee Orchid Location: SE515830 Habitat: This plant usually grows in calcerous grassland. Along with its bee like appearance, the plant puts out an odor which attracts male bees to it, they attempt to copulate with the flower and in doing so headbutt the pollinia at the top of the flower. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Huds.

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Euphrasia nemorosa 12/06/2014 Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape) Genus: Euphrasia Species: E. nemorosa Common Name: Common Eyebright Location: NN723986 Habitat: Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), meadows and fields Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: (Pers.) Wallr.

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Trollius europaeus 12/06/2014 Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) Genus: Trollius Species: T. europeas Common Name: Globe Flower Location: NN723986 Habitat: Open meadow of woodland, adjacent to a river. Nearby species included Anthoxanthemum odoratum, Rubus fruticosus and Conopodium majus. Usually grows in heavy wet clay soils and they are poisonous to cattle and humans. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Vaccinium myrtillus 04/06/2014 Family: Ericaceae (Heath) Genus: Vaccinium Species: V. myrtillus Common Name: Bilberry Location: NT202611 Habitat: Usually grows in heathland habitats next to Erica and Calluna species. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.

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Hesperis matronalis 30/05/2014 Family: Brassicaceae (Cabbage) Genus: Hesperis Species: H. matronalis Common Name: Dame’s-violet, Summer Lilac, Dame’s Rocket Location: NT271629 Habitat: Usually grows in wet habitats or directly adjacent to a river or stream. Collector: Ewan Cole Authority: Linnaeus.