Wandering around Owl Wood a couple of days ago, my attention was caught by something I haven't seen in there before. Just one single vine of this:
It was sprouting out of the hedging, a new addition. No doubt it has been there for a few years and has only just reached a height where it has become noticeable.
Can anyone identify it? I should get my Observer's Book of Hedges, or an Idiot's Guide to Vines, out and have a read. On this occasion I have too many other things to do.
I have high hopes that someone will come back with the answer.
Triffidius Carnivoris Perambulatorii - just a part of the Eta Aquariid meteor shower this weekend, nothing to worry about.
ReplyDeleteWould you like a cutting? Plenty of organisations you could gift it to!
DeleteJust give the cutting my boat name and number and a copy of the AA Yearbook - it'll find it's own way here without postage. I do wonder if we might encourage triffids around Westminster? :-)
DeleteLuckily for me, and for you, it is in the dormant stage. ;)
DeleteI’m not entirely sure but could it be our common hop, humulus lupus? If so you are in for a treat as picked and dried in late summer it will be a lovely sweet-smelling decoration. Sarah in Sussex
ReplyDeleteI think the leaves are a different shape, but it certainly looks very similar, Sarah. I'll take some better photographs later today. Thank you.
DeleteIt looks like a hop, how lovely! Dried and put in simple small cloth ‘pillows’ and put under your bed pillows they will pull you to sleep . Kind regards Danette
ReplyDeleteI could do with some of that, Danette. I now have my fingers crossed! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI thought it looked like a hop but have discovered (I think) that it is Wych Elm.
ReplyDeleteHello jabblog, Thank you! Ten minutes ago I went out to gather some leaves and the flower to compare to the ones on the woodland trust identifier site. Jackpot! All the indicators are present. Thank you so much. Wych Elm it is.
DeleteThe leaves look like a heavily ridged beech..so could be Hornbeam?
ReplyDeleteHello gz, jabblog suggested Wych Elm and she is correct. The only truly native British Elm, only a few survivors down south. We must take care of this gift.
DeleteIt looks decorative. But not invasive I hope
ReplyDeleteHello Linda, Not invasive but a rare gift, as far as I am aware. Gifted by the wind, or birds. A Wych Elm, something we are more than happy to make room for.
DeleteIt looks like an elm leaf! We have so few left over here, too. Dutch Elm did them a bad turn.
ReplyDeleteHello Joanne, Yes, definitely an elm, a Wych Elm. Very happy to welcome it into Owl Wood!
DeleteIf you take a clear photo and left click on the photo and search with google lens it will give you a lot of information. I hope I helped.
ReplyDeleteΗave a nice Sunday!
Hello Katerina, Thank you for that, I will definitely try it out in future. The plant has been identified as wych elm.
DeleteCould it be a hop vine that has taken there?
ReplyDeleteHello Billy, Although quite similar to a hop, it has quite definitely been identified as a wych elm, the only truly native elm. After the ravages of Dutch Elm Disease, it is a very welcome addition to our little woodland.
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