Neil is a frequent visitor to Perivale Park, and he sees plants (and invertebrates) that most of us do not. When I met him the other day, I asked if he had observed anything more unusual. This is his emailed reply:
Later that day (after he and I met) I remembered I had also encountered the plant on Horsenden Hill. It was Burnet Saxifrage– not a saxifrage at al, but an umbellifer. Though not a nationally rare plant I can’t think of other locations locally that I visit where I have recorded it. Though not restricted to calcareous soils, it does seem to prefer such conditions. I’ll be going to the North Downs today so should see plenty of Denbies hillside along with lots of nice chalk flora & hopefully some invertebrates I’m hoping to see.
Coming from the bridge over the weir, through the metal gate & behind the first temporary pool with lots of sallows & extensive bramble at the back, it was amongst some well-drained grassland the other side of the brambles. A lot of Yellow Ant nests there & other plants such as Lady’s Bedstraw & Yarrow along with fine grasses.
I have commented on Lady’s Bedstraw myself and its scent. You do not so much see it as smell it.