Plants - Early Winter

Shaggy Ink Caps

Not a plant but a fungus, but as there isn’t a fungus page we thought ‘plants’ the most sensible place. Getting the shaggy part of its name from the look of this fungus when it first emerges above ground, Shaggy Ink Cap mushrooms change their shape over a few days from shaggy cylinder (like the photo on the right) to a more parasol or umbrella shape after a couple of days. A link on the right will take you to a photo of the growth stages. When in the umbrella phase the ink part of the name becomes more clear, as the black spores of the mushroom can be seen to drip from the umbrella’s edge. Like a lot of mushrooms this one can give you a nasty surprise if you try to eat it, so our advice is don’t
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North bank of the River Ouse on the Fen Rivers Way path downstream of Pocket Park (TL 555 803 or N+52 23' 56" E+0 17' 5")

Seedheads

If seedheads of roadside plants are left from the summer the stunning natural geometry of teasle heads and hogweed are laid bare. They make fantastic silhouettes at sunrise or sunset in Fenland landscape photographs. After a hoar frost they can look spectacular and stand out clearly on verges as you walk, cycle or drive past them
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Look in those roadside verges where the flail cutter has not got to the back of the verge.
Fen Rivers Way path upstream of the A142 bridge over the River Ouse (TL 545 793 or N+52 23' 22" E+0 16' 12")

Holly

Male holly is often found in hedges and hedgerows, but the fruit bearing female of the species is lesser seen. It can be recognized by red berries which attract feeding birds such as blackbirds and other thrushes in order to ensure the distribution of seeds. And you thought bird poo was just a pointless mess
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Cherry Hill Park (TL 542 800 or N+52 23' 49" E+ 0 15' 45")
Ely cemetery on New Barns Avenue / Beech Lane (TL 547 807 or N+52 24' 12" E+0 16' 17")

Mistletoe
Really a parasite (feeds off the host plant), this can often be seen in the bare boughs of poplar trees that line Fenland roads. It is easy to spot in winter when the leaves of the decidous host are long gone. Don't stand underneath it too long - you may have already avoided passionate peril at the kissing gate earlier on in your walk
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Lisle Lane opposite Peck's the agricultral engineers (TL 548 805 or N+52 24' 0" E+0 16' 24")