THE MACHAIR FLORA
SEPTEMBER
Heath
Milkwort
(Polygala serpyllifolia) is smaller than Common Milkwort,
this perennial wildflower differs from its cousin by having its leaves almost always
in opposite pairs, whereas the former's leaves are arranged alternately.
Its
little flowers (5-6mm) are usually blue and in short spikes of 3 – 10, flowering from May to
September. Heath Milkwort grows on acid, peaty soils, and blanket bogs, is a native and
belongs to the family Polygalaceae.
Sea-milkwort is the most interesting thing about this little wildflower is that it is without
true petals. What seem to be five pink petals are in fact sepals. The little 56mm flowers are hairless and grow in the junctions of the leaves and stems. They bloom
from May to September in saltmarshes, on shingle and saline soils. The
leaves are ovate and fleshy thereby being able to store water in salty habitats. It is a
very low growing, mat-forming plant. This native plant is confined mostly to coastal
habitats and belongs to the family Primulaceae.
Sea Knotgrass (Polygonum maritimum) is a native, prostrate, greyish, perennial herb,
growing up to 40cm. The flowers (1-4 together) are at the end of the leafy spike. The
petals (5) are pink, greenish or white. Leaves are up to 15mm, slightly leathery and with
downturned margins. They have long (up to 1cm) sheaths, which are silvery with 8-12
branched veins and the fruits are brown nuts, which protrude above the dead flowers.
Stems are stout and woody at the base.
Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor) is a well-known wildflower commonly found in meadows,
grassy places, heaths and Machair. It produces loose, leafy spikes of flowers, usually yellow
but occasionally brownish, from May to September. The flowers (13-15mm long) are 2lipped corollas which have blue or violet teeth and are open-mouthed. The leaves are oblong
with rounded teeth, are unstalked and opposite. The seeds are formed inside inflated, dry
capsules which, when ripe, rattle and eventually release the seeds to the wind. This is
a native plant belonging to the familyScrophulariaceae.
White Clover (Trifolium repens) is not beloved by those trying to maintain a perfect lawn, the White Clover
plant is an almost hairless plant which spreads by rooting at leaf junctions. Its creamy
white flower heads, 8 – 13mm long, are carried in rounded heads 2cm across and are on
flower from June to September. These sweetly scented flowers become brown with age
after they have given their nectar. The toothed leaves are trifoliate and the leaflets bear
white V-shaped marks and translucent veins. This is a native plant and belongs to the
family Fabaceae. Uses: 'An old remedy for summer fevers and indigestion in children was
to stew sloe leaves with clover blossoms. Strain the liquid and take it after meals and rub
the stewed leaves on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. If a white froth came on the mixture
while it was stewing, it was a sign the cure would be effective. Another remedy: 'This boiled and the water is
good for washing a sore. There is great healing power in it'.
Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima) is one which tolerates sea spray and being immersed
in salt water on occasions. Found on sea-shores and salt-marshes, it also grows on lake
shores and mountains inland. The basal rosette common to all plantains is comprised of
semi-erect linear, fleshy, faintly veined leaves which surround slender spikes of
flowers.
These flowers (3mm across) have a pale browny-pink corolla with
yellow anthers and are in spikes 4-10 cm long. They bloom from June to August. This
is a native plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae.
Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) Also known as Stinging Nettle, this familiar wayside perennial stands 60-100cm
high and is well-known for its unpleasant sting. It has pretty spearshaped, toothed, opposite leaves which are longer than their stalks and very tiny
green flowers from June to September which are wind-pollinated. The
little male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, the male flowers
projecting from the leaf-stem axils and the female flowers growing in long catkinlike clusters. Common Nettle's sting comes from acid which is released onto the
skin when the tiny hairs break off on being touched. Common Nettle is a native plant and belongs to the
family Urticaceae. Uses: To cure a sting of a nettle, place a dock leaf over sore part for a few minutes and it
will be well' . The water of boiled nettles if drank will cure anyone suffering from worms. Cure for dropsy. It is
said if a person went to a graveyard and plucked a bunch of nettles that would be growing there and boiled
them and give the water to drink to a person that had dropsy if would cure him. For rheumatics a bed strewn
with nettles. 3 doses of nettles in the month of April will prevent any disease for the rest of the year.
Broad-leaved-dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant that grows to a height of 50
to 130 cm. The edges of the leaves are slightly "crisped" or wavy, the upper surface is hairless and the under
surface may be papillose. The leaves of this plant can grow to about 40 cm in length. The stems are tough, often
reddish, and unbranched until just below the inflorescence. The junctions of the petioles with the stems are
covered by a sheath formed by two fused stipules known as an ocrea, a thin, paper-like membrane - a
characteristic of the Polygonaceae family. The inflorescence consists of large clusters of racemes which
contain small greenish flowers that change to red as they mature. The perianth-segments are in two whorls of
three. Segments in the outer whorl are small and spreading while the inner whorl
forms fruit valves, which are widely ovately-triangular. The seeds produced are
dry and reddish-brown. Broadleaf dock is considered a weed and is
slightly poisonous. It is designated an "injurious weed" under the UK Weeds Act
1959. Uses: The 'milk' of the dock leaf is known to contain tannins and oxalic
acid, which is an astringent. Broadleaf dock leaves have been used to soothe
burns, blisters, and nettle stings. A tea prepared from the root was thought to
cure boils.