Yellow Rattle, Simple things, please simple...

Some people get excited about a new car, or a surprise win on the lotto, not me, after years of reading about the 'meadow maker', my rattle seeds sown last year  have germinated and are now coming into flower.  I had only ever seen picture's of yellow rattle and was surprised to see how petite the plants are; I had always imagined them to be the size of white dead nettles. Petite or not, I'm genuinely excited to have them in my new meadow and will be scattering the seeds around to spread the joy across other parts of the meadow at the end of the season.

Yellow Rattle and Bogbean - two new plant species in the reserve.

This rather unobtrusive looking plant is actually one of several Yellow rattle seedlings that have germinated from my seed sowing efforts last year. I have read about these wonderful meadow makers and am excited that I have been able to start a colony in my meadow. Hopfully, I can photograph them when they are more substantial and in flower, and again later in the year once the famous rattle seeds are produced. I hope to produce my own seed to increase the stock across the meadow.

Bogbean starting to flower for the first time in the pond margins. Overtime this will hopefully spread to create nice clump of flowers for the pollinators. 

 

Coltsfoot

 

This cheery Coltsfoot is pretty much the only wildflower I could find that was in full bloom in the meadow; no sign of the leaves which lends the plant it's name; these will appear later. The appearance of the flowers before the leaves is why this plant  is also known as 'son before father', hinting at  the seemingly strange order of the plants emergence. Historically, the plant was used for its alleged medicinal properties, however in more recent times the plant was found to contain toxins potentially damaging to the liver so should not be consumed. Simply enjoy its cheery disposition on a cold March day.