Diario del proyecto Girton College Biodiversity

As the students prepare to go home, so are the wildflowers that we have been used to over the past couple of months beginning to fade. Bluebells and celandine of course have long since disappeared, but the speedwell, forget me nots, comfrey, anemones and garlic mustard are no more, and even the ubiquitous alkanet is starting to disappear. In their place herb robert is almost everywhere, and the tall nipplewort is taking the place of the dandelions that it somewhat resembles. Apart from herb robert, most of the other diverse cranesbills (particularly on the path behind the Fellows’ Gardens) have gone, including the beautiful, but non-native, pencilled cranesbill. A few wood avens are still flowering, but the stems with their spiky fruit can be seen everywhere. The shady path along Huntingdon Road is covered in enchanter’s nightshade and woundwort. Orchard Drive is still overrun with scabious, campions, ragged robin, and oxeye daisy. Look out for the low-lying star-shaped scarlet pimpernel, which are hard to find, but can be seen here and there near the entrance to the sports field. Another pleasant surprise is the unfortunately named stinking iris, which can be seen in a few places near The Grange.