By this time we should have had two Botany meetings, both with the aim of seeing specific plants. Our first meeting at the end of March was to be to a small woodland on the river Ure at West Tanfield beyond Ripon, to see the Yellow Star of Bethlehem, an early woodland plant. A week later the 7th of this week we were going to the lower slopes of Pen-y-ghent to see the alpine Purple Saxifrage at the southern edge of its distribution. Of course it was not to be.

So, members of the group have been observing what is much nearer to home. From the small white Common Whitlow-Grass in a pavement crack in Bradley to the emblem of the Society, Herb Paris

Herb Paris

in Conistone.

An interesting ‘tour’ of Skipton Woods was described by one member, seeing one of her favourite plants Wood Anemone

Wood Anemone

amongst many of the early common flowers.

The lovely Blue Moor Grass

Blue Moor Grass

at Ghaistrills was a thrill and  along the river and on many banks the Primroses

 

 

Primrose

 

and Violets. A few Bluebells have been seen

So far 33 species have been recorded in flower and at least as many in leaf.

We hope to continue enjoying the sending and receiving of messages and maybe learn a bit on the way.

Christine Bell

Photos Christine Bell