Wednesday, 19 May 2021

Bulgaria Spring 2021- Botany

I was absolutely blown away by the Spring botany on the recent trip, particularly on the Bulgarian Steppe. It was a constant distraction (a very inspiring one) and basically almost stole the show from what I was trying to focus on in the field - the bird migration and regional Lepidoptera. I've recently downloaded the Plant Net app Download Here. The reviews seem good and as a tool for a botany dabbler (i.e. me) it seems to be a good tool, not sure on the accuracy though so would welcome any corrections to the identifications. More plants on the album HERE  .

  

Ox-eye , Adonis vernalis and Fern-leaved Peony,  Paeonia tenuifolia
Fern-leaved Peony, Paeonia tenuifolia
Ox-eye, Adonis vernalis
Cyanus lugdunensis
Herbaceous periwinkle 
Large Pheasant's-eye
Block Salsify
Sand Catch-fly
Ophrys passionis. (210521- actually more like Ophrys mammosa, see comments) 
Green-veined Orchid 
King's Spear, Asphodeline lutea



2 comments:

Martin Pitt said...

Surely not Ophrys passionis, a sub(species) limited to France, NE Spain and Italy. Always difficult to distinguish. Why is it not one of the O.(s) mammosa group, the normal form(s) in Bulgaria?

Peter Alfrey said...

Yes, I got some feedback from a Bulgarian botany group who also agree this is mammosa .
Thanks Martin!