More photos from Friday

This is one of the sedum species from the perennial Crassulaceae family. Although it is located in the ecological park it looks suspiciously like the sedum Autumn Joy, which my mother has in her garden and which attracts the bees and butterflies like nothing else at this time of year. I suspect that it is a garden escapee.

Greater Knapweed
Species: Centaurea scabiosa
Family: Asteraceae
Perennial

I took this photograph in one of the small remaining areas which survives intact in the butterfly sanctuary and is one of the plants which has been seeded there for next year's insects.

Centaurea = from the classical name of a plant in the ancient Greek myths which is said to have healed the wound in the foot of one of the Centaurs, Chiron

Roots and seeds of the knotweed were once thought to have diuretic properties.
Combined with pepper they were thought to resolve loss of appetite
As my book says (the DK Pocket Wild Flowers) - do not attempt!

Speckled Wood
Pararge tircis

This water-lily (Nymphaea) leaf was a deep green at least until two weeks ago. It is now thoroughly autumnal, all reds, yellows and oranges. Its edges have turned under so that instead of the classic lily-pad shape it is now this rather peculiar triangle.

Red Clover
Species: Trifolium pratense
Family: Leguminosae
Perennial

Another of the species which survives in one corner of the butterfly sanctuary and has been planted in one of the cleared patches in the ecological park - a great pull for the bees.
Tri = 3, folium = leaves.
Pratense from the latin pratum, which means meadow