Flowers and Plants

A Fritillary flower in the Grove woodland in the centre of Bamburgh village. The species is normally only found in meadows so this small colony may be derived from garden escapes. A small hoverfly can be seen resting o the top of the flower.

An unidentified Broomrape flower found along the Koenigsweg between the Koenigsbachalm and the Jennerbahn middle station. Broomrapes are very unusual flowers as they parasitise other flowers, with some being highly specific to certain host species.

Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) growing on the walls of Monkwearmouth bridge. Not native to Britain, it is thought to have been introduced in the 1600s and can be found in rocky habitats such as walls, pavements and beached.

A true survivor - this crab apple tree is considered to be the oldest in Britain at possibly over a hundred years old. With a girth of over 3.5 metres, it is the widest in the country and also the second largest in Europe. Unfortunately the tree was heavily damaged during a storm in November 2021. The PIPs show the hollow stem of the tree, as well as the damage caused by the storm. The remaining branches are still producing good numbers of apples though! Information from: www.monumentaltrees.com/en/gbr/england/durham/7522_croxdalehall

Dandelions are something you can pass by without noticing every day, but it is an amazing flower when seen up close.

A close-up of some Forget-me-not flowers at Cresswell Pele tower.