Wildlife to watch in June
Mullein
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Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a biennial which forms a rosette of large grey-hairy ovate leaves in its first year, then the following year produces a tall stem bearing a succession of light yellow, saucer-shaped flowers 3cm across. The top 3 stamens of the flower are covered in downy hair as are the grey-green leaves.
There are a whole long list of alternative names including Aaron’s Rod, Adam’s Flannel, Giant Mullein and Our Lady’s Candle. Mullein is used in herbal medicine as an infusion for sore throats or as a tincture for dry and chronic coughs. Historically the leaves were smoked to help asthma and tuberculosis and Roman ladies dyed their hair a golden colour with an infusion of the flowers. |
Also look out for
Common Orchid
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Common Spotted Orchid flower spikes can vary from deep to light pink, with darker pink to purple spots and stripes on their three-lobed lips. The leaves are also marked with wide oval-shaped, dark spots and form a rosette at the base before the flower spikes appears. The perfumed flowers attract day-time moths. Common Spotted Orchid is found throughout the UK in damp grassland, open woods and verges. It prefers chalky soils and can form carpets of flowers. The seeds are tiny and wind-blown, and it needs a symbiotic fungal partner to germinate, which means it takes years to go from seed to plant. |
Foxgloves
The high flower stems are only produced in the plant's second year and can be seen between June and September. Foxgloves can be found in woodlands, gardens, on moorlands, coastal cliffs, roadside verges and waste ground. These are usually pink, but white variants are also occasionally seen. This plant is poisonous, so treat with caution.
There are a number of explanations offered for the name 'foxglove'. It is said that it was originally named 'folk's love' meaning the fairies loved the way the flowers point downwards as it gives them a place to shelter. As home to the fairies, children were told it was bad luck to disturb the plant as this would lead to the fairies being homeless.
There are a number of explanations offered for the name 'foxglove'. It is said that it was originally named 'folk's love' meaning the fairies loved the way the flowers point downwards as it gives them a place to shelter. As home to the fairies, children were told it was bad luck to disturb the plant as this would lead to the fairies being homeless.
Common Spotted Orchids can be found on the banks of Dunmow Cutting
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Shaggy parasol fungi
Unidentified moth
Bramble flower
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Pyramidal orchid, Great Notley
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Bee orchid, Great Notley
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Marsh Thistle and horsetail
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