This post features Pineapple Mayweed (Matricaria discoidea). I thought this plant got its name from the appearance of the flower which has no circle of petals but only the hump of yellow in the middle. It turns out that it is the intense smell of pineapple when the plant is crushed that gives the name to the plant.
Over the summer months I have been watching the way that an uncultivated strip of ploughed chalky soil at the edge of a large maize field has been colonised by wild plants in my village of Charlton Down in Dorset. The Common Poppies first attracted me to the area. Then I began to notice all the other arable weeds. many different species, not all as spectacular as the poppies but none the less interesting.
It has been a voyage of discovery although on a minor scale. I find it all fascinating even if others might scoff and say it is just a bunch of untidy weeds. I think how wonderful that this small area has been left to nature for biodiversity’s sake. It has been a haven for all sorts of insects and birds, not to mention the rabbits and foxes which I know frequent the site from their tracks and droppings.
This Field Margin Flowers series presents images, not only of individual plant types, but also of whole assemblages of plants. You can click on any image to enlarge and see the details.
Jessica's Nature Blog 
Leave Scoffers to their scoffage. Let bitter scoffers have their Aluminum Hydroxide for gut relief.
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There have been people in this county who have been complaining to local councils about the untidiness of wild flowers that have been deliberately grown on roadsides and roundabouts to beautify the area, promote biodiversity, and provide food for birds and pollinating insects. They wanted the flowers to be cut and removed because they did not look neat and tidy. How misguided is it possible to be? How can anyone on the planet not know how vital it is to allow spaces where nature can reclaim?
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Nothing like the neat and tidy: garish bedding plants, graded gravel, decks and astroturf. Our desperate attempt to demonstrate agency and control (of something)
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I guess so. But we urgently need to change the mind set and promote and accept a wilder outlook for everyone’s sake.
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I have very much enjoyed this series of field margin flower images. The flowers are so important for wildlife but there is still a group of people who would rather have order and “prettiness” than more natural and something that country people used to be used to seeing. I am sorry I havent clicked “like” but my computer is messing about!
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Thanks, Philip. I have been very happy that the farmer has left this strip for wild flowers. It is so important that everyone should to do this kind of thing if and when they can, always bearing in mind our fast-disappearing wildlife and what can be done to promote biodiversity. Time is fast running out for nature.
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