The Perils of botanical identification

On the 8th of July last year I went up Cnoc Coinnich

In crags just below the summit I saw and photographed what I took to be an undersized Starry Saxifrage (Saxifraga stellaris). It never occurred to me until after I had returned home, that it could be the much rarer Alpine Saxifrage (Saxifraga nivalis), though it didn't quite match the descriptions in the books, and I had never seen this species before.

I returned with the botanist responsible for maintaining the records for the area as he had an old record for this species on this hill. Unfortunately there had been a lot of rain and it appeared that the plant had been swept away, so we were never able to come to a definite conclusion.

Last week after I had been up Ben Dorain, I posted the image below on this blog, to show what I took to be Roseroot (Sedum rosea), Scurvygrass (Cochlearia sp.) and Starry Saxifrage (Saxifraga stellaris). I had taken it to help in the identification of the Cochlearia species, and sent it to the same botanist.

After I had sent it, I had a closer look at the picture. The little saxifrage on the right didn't look quite right. I sent the full-size image of it to the same botanist who confirmed that this time it really looked like Alpine Saxifrage (Saxifraga nivalis).

I could scarcely believe that, having made the mistake once of failing to notice this species, I had managed to do so yet again, and had to confess this to the same botanical recorder on both occasions!

To see the difference between the two species, see the online Skye flora

Thanks to Carl Farmer for his help with this one.

Wild flower hunting

Today I went on a search for a few rare flowers growing in marshes near the foot of Ben Ledi.

One of these was Tufted Loosestrife (Lysimachia thyrsiflora), which grows in very wet marshes, mostly in central Scotland.

Some conifers had been planted in the area, and some of these had very attractive cones.

In the nearby woods I discovered this moth, which I have yet to identify.

We followed a path through the woods to another very marshy area.

Here we found the rare Marsh Stitchwort (Stellaria palustris)

There were also a number of orchids including this early Marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata)

Botanists at work below Ben Ledi

Ben Dorain

Yesterday was just about the most perfect day for hillwalking - dry, warm and sunny but with a fresh breeze.

I went up Ben Dorain, which always looks rather spectacular when seen from the south as you pass it by road or on the train.

Before starting the walk, I came face to face with these two red deer which were only a few yards from the car park.

The ascent from Bridge of Orchy station to the west of the hill is nothing like as steep as the south side. Ben Dorain itself is out of view on the right.

Near the top there were many colourful patches of Moss Campion (Silene acaulis) which seems to be flowering exceptionally well this year.

In a crack in the rock I found Roseroot (Sedum rosea), Scurvygrass (Cochlearia sp.) and Alpine Saxifrage (Saxifraga nivalis)*.

The view south from the summit looks down over the road and railway to the location of the first photo above.

From the summit there is a fine ridge walk.

The view north...

...and south

At the end of the walk I explored a tiny stream and found large numbers of Sundew plants (Drosera anglica and D. rotundifolia and their hybrid, D. x obovata). This one had caught a large fly.

*Note that I originally identified this as Starry saxifrage (Saxifraga stellaris) but it has since been identified as the much rarer Saxifraga nivalis.