Plants - Summer

Wild Mint

Related to the plant found in many gardens (and a splendid addition to cold potatoe salad at this time of year) Wild Mint is a lover of slightly damp conditions. We found some at the edge of a depression filled with reeds and rushes, just on the ecotone between the surrounding grassland and the damper depression that supported these wetland plants. Growing to about 18 inches tall (45 centimetres) this plant is easily distinguishable by the similarity to its cultivated cousin. Small pinky purple flowers about one inch in diameter with many individual heads are found at the top of the stem. The taste is a bit stronger and woody, but it’s clearly mint
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On the edge of the footpath from the Ely sailing club to Queen Adelaide, just before the foot crossing over the Ely to Peterborough railway line (TL 561 813 or N+52 24' 24" E+0 17' 35")

Purple Loose Strife

This tall upright plant which is a native of Europe, is considered an invasive species in North America, in the same way that North American Signal Crayfish are viewed in trout and salmon rivers in lowland England. Growing frequently to between four and five feet tall (1.2 to 1.5 metres), it is topped by a striking six to eight inch (15 to 18 centimetre) rod of purple flowers in the summer. The leaves die back in the autumn to a strong red and reveal the plants small circular seedpods. In the past Purple Loose Strife has been used for tanning leather because of a high tannin content, and was also known for its antiseptic properties. These plants are good food for caterpillars of Emperor and Small Elephant Hawk moths, and the flowers attract a lot of insect life
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On the ‘bridge’ between the Roswell Pits on Kiln Lane. Look on the bank just over the fence on the South pit (the smallest one) closet to the Cathedral (TL 553 806 or N+52 24' 5" E+0 16' 51")

Lady’s Bedstraw

Gaining it’s rather unique name from the suggestion that it was used in a pillow used in Jesus’ manger, but more commonly used in the more recent past as a fragrant addition to the stuffing of pillows, the fine yellow flowers of this plant cover the top two to four inches (five to ten centimetres) of the plant’s stem. Also known to be have been used as a herbal remedy for a number of ailments, including the treatment or prevention of blisters this grassland plant has an interesting history of past use. (After five weeks off my feet with a broken foot - and hence the delay in updating ElyGreen with the Summer pages - I may be trying it as I take up walking again!)
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On the ‘bridge’ between the Roswell Pits on Kiln Lane. Look on the bank just over the fence on the South pit (the smallest one) closet to the Cathedral (TL 553 806 or N+52 24' 5" E+0 16' 51")

Small Scabious

Flowering between July and September Small Scabious is a county rarity, and a bit of a find if you come across it as it tends to favour calcareous (chalky) soils, which aren’t that common on the fen. Smaller areas of higher land just off the fen that may have some chalky boulder clay making up the reason for the land’s elevation are a good place to start looking. They stand about six to eight inches (15 to 20 centimetres) high on a thin stalk with long thin oval leaves towards it base. The gentle lilac colour (with a hint of pink) is a great attraction to bees and butterflies
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On the ‘bridge’ between the Roswell Pits on Kiln Lane. Look on the bank just over the fence on the South pit (the smallest one) closet to the Cathedral (TL 553 806 or N+52 24' 5" E+0 16' 51")

Lords and Ladies

In early spring the bright single green leaf of this plant resembled in size and shape a upright semi cupped hand. With the leaf now gone the seeds of the Lords and Ladies become brilliant orange, prominently displaying the fruits of their summer’s labour (of course we use the word ‘fruit’ figuratively here - don’t try eating them) and replacing the thin brown cigar like stamen can clearly be seen in the centre
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Woodland at the bottom of hill by Roswell Pits, just off Kiln Lane (TL 553 805 or N+52 24' 3" E+0 16' 54")

Oak

Once again, not a plant, more a tree. However, the Oak supports one of the highest populations of invertebrates of any tree in Britain, over 250, making the Oak more than just one species, rather a small ecosystem in its own right. There are a good number of oaks to be seen along Spring Lane, the footpath between Pecks and the bottom of Kiln Lane. Often found towards the top of the tree canopy Purple Hairstreak butterflies feed on liquids on and around the oak tree such as dew or nectar. We are on a search for good images of the many invertebrates that live around this most majestic of trees, so keep an eye out for more information on this or the summer insects page
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There is a magnificent Oak at the bottom of Kiln Lane, a hundred yards West of the railway level crossing, just at the start of the footpath that leads to Pocket Park (TL 554 805 or N+52 24' 3" E+0 16' 58.5")