Bryony

White Bryony Bryonia Dioica

There are various members of this group of plants growing in Europe and Asia, but this one is native to the UK.  A distant relative of the Cucumber; it likes to climb through hedges or small trees, quite common in south East England, but also being present in Chalky or Lime stone areas.

The Flowers and vine-like climbing stems, which continue to flower throughout much of the Summer; usually go unnoticed, as they are fairly undramatic and blend in with their surroundings.  But it is in the Winter when this plant suddenly becomes the centre of attention, with these dramatic orange/red berries, draped through tree branches and bare Winter hedges.

The Berries are extremely poisonous and cause asphyxia if eaten.

Primroses out in the Hedgerows around Ashburton

A welcome Sign of Spring

The Primroses have been very early this year.  They are one of our very long flowering season plants.  Like many in the UK; which don't have to rush to flower prior to some impending dry-season.  Here the climate is fairly similar for most of the year and our wild flowers are often in no rush to flower and many flower for months.

If conditions are right; mainly cool and mild, then Primroses can extend their flowering season, from their familiar March and April, and begin flowering in the Autumn.  They usually only do this in gardens, but often the wild ones throw up the odd flowers, through out any extended mild periods of the winter.

To see wild Primroses flowering like this in a wild hedge in January is very exceptional.  This many flowering all at once should be a scene from March, this is far too early for them to be doing this.   It can only be the result of us having such a mild Winter.  They certainly weren't doing this during the terribly cold conditions, we were having last year.