Gallant-soldier

The third New year Plant Hunt in a row! Today the South Lincs Flora Group held a hunt in Grantham, co-led by myself and Malcolm, the other vice-county recorder. He lives in Grantham and researched an excellent route which meant that we recorded 71 species in flower, which is currently the second highest total in the UK. We were aided by the presence of seven other keen-eyed botanists, who all seemed to have a really good time. 

My favourite plant of the day was this Gallant-soldier Galinsoga parviflora which was flowering profusely round the margins of the car-park. The genus Galinsoga is named after M. M. Galinsoga, Head of Madrid Botanical Garden in 1880. The name Galinsoga parviflora is derived from the Latin parvu (little) and flore (flower). It's a cosmopolitan fast-growing annual herb with the capacity to invade agricultural and other disturbed areas in most temperate and subtropical regions of the world, but in Britain it's a rather local and generally declining urban species. It's close relative Shaggy-soldier Galinsoga quadriradiata seems to be increasing, but is generally also found in urban situations.

Now that I've finally caught up with my backlog there's just time for a small drink to celebrate the New Year before I collapse into bed. I hope that 2019 brings you all health, happiness and lots of creative opportunities!