Flowers, Fruits and Seeds

In June we marvel at the bright yellow of Yellow Flag Iris in the Scrapes and around the lake. 

Unfortunately these flowers do not last long and soon go over. All we can see for several weeks are the long flat leaves.  By September the seed pods have developed.  They have a very tough outer coat, protecting the yellow orange seeds inside.  As the seeds ripen so the pod breaks open exposing the seeds which are then dispersed by the stem gently moving in the wind.

Blackthorn flowers early and soon coats parts of the reserve white with blossom.

Green leaves soon cover the black stems and by autumn the blue Sloes have developed.  This year has been a particularly good year and branches are hanging with berries.

May sees us able to 'cast a clout', although some layers are still left handy for cold mornings.  Hawthorn blossom follows the Blackthorn covering different areas of the reserve white. 

Now those same trees are full of  red berries just waiting for our winter migrants to return.

Hemp Agrimony is not the most attractive of flowers to look at, but appeals to many butterflies, bees and hoverflies as it is nectar rich.

The seed heads are delilcate and the seeds dispersed by gentle breezes.