what is this wee plant?

[gordon l]

Hello all,

I wonder if someone could identify this plant and possibly give a little information regarding it. Fairly abundant on recent walk on Gairich but in my ignorance, I don't know whether it is heather/ lichen/ moss or?? I usually rely on "Hostile Habitats" to help me out but no joy.

Thanks in advance,

Gordon

[CharlesT]

Looks like sphagnum moss to me.

[gordon l]

Yes, think the spiky tufts are definitely clubmoss, either fir clubmoss or alpine clubmoss.

[CharlesT]

There are many species of sphagnum, which thrive in different environments. I'm sure a web search might yield an identification. I thought the spiky bits would be the fruiting bodies, but I'm no botanist.

[CharlesT]

Ignore my last post. I think what we may have here is commonly called Stagshorn Clubmoss or Fir Clubmoss, Huperzia selago. According to my sources it's not actually a true clubmoss, they are Lycopodium, of which there is only one common in Britain L. clavatum and two others confined to Scotland, L. annotinum and L. lagopus (very rare, above 800m only, a sub-arctic species). Looks like it might be growing through a carpet of sphagnum.

Hows that for nerdiness? Ask a plant-related question of a gardener and it's irresistible .

[gordon l]

Not at all nerdy! Very interesting and thanks for reply. I think it is definitely fir clubmoss growing from a species of cladonia like "reindeer moss" or wooly fringe moss (racomitrium lanuginosum). Don't think any sphagnum moss there.

[CharlesT]

Agree it most probably will be reindeer moss Cladonia rangiferina not sphagnum, should have sussed that from the environment. Must try harder!

[gordon l]

wee bump....

Can anyone id this flower? Thought it was buttercup but they have 5 petals? saxifrage?

[CharlesT]

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria). Perennial of hedgerows and open woodland. Flowers March-May and opens only in sunshine.

[gordon l]

Aha! Many thanks Charles, I spotted it on the lower slopes of Creag Tarsuinn in Argyll last month. Good to put a name to it.

[gordon l]

Both of these in plentiful supply on the slopes above Culra Bothy. Please ID!

[IreneM]

Ooh ooh, I think I know these!

Top pic is Dwarf Cornel and the bottom one is Cloudberry that's lost it's petals!

(Really hope I'm right now! )

[jmarkb]

Top pic is Dwarf Cornel and the bottom one is Cloudberry that's lost it's petals!

(Really hope I'm right now! )

Yup, spot on!