Autumn sunlight on the Wharf

Low autumn sun on the faces of this little fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) beside the Wharf

As you will have noticed, I can’t get enough of the plants, both wild and tamed, that grow around the Wharf (former East Bute Dock) in Cardiff Bay alongside my current workplace in County Hall.

Here are my latest discoveries, from a walk around the Wharf around 2pm on October 3, with the sun already low in the sky as the days grow shorter.

A long view of the Wharf from the northern end

There are still many golden flowers…

Buttercups – possibly the common meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

Still unidentified brassica/mustard plant beside the Wharf…

…a closer look at the vivid chrome yellow flowers…

…and another similar plant elsewhere on the Wharf

Most of the common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) flowers have withered now, but this one was still hanging on

Yellow daisy-type plant I can’t identify…

…this is its growth habit

Meanwhile the ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) is still attracting insects like this hoverfly

Then there are the pinks and purples…

The hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) goes on and on flowering…

An invading Asian harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) on a hemp agrimony leaf – I have not seen a native ladybird for several years

Clover – I think red clover (Trifolium pratense)

I think this is red valerian (Centranthus ruber) although it looks quite different when it is not growing on an urban wall

Something like a wild briar rose…

…but this rose looks more cultivated

Pink water lily (Nymphaea)

Pretty flowers of woody nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) – a member of the Solanaceae potato and tomato family – the ripe berries will be red and poisonous and all children of my generation were warned to avoid them – although I apologise for originally identifying this as much more poisonous deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) – thanks to Philip Strange for putting me right!

Some flowers are white or cream…

Daisy type flower…

…and its growth habit – perhaps a sort of wild chamomile

I think this is sweet box (Sarcococca confusa) but am willing to be corrected

A vigorous clump of yarrow or milfoil (Achillea millefolium)…

…I hadn’t noticed the black-edged flower buds before

Common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)…

…the flowers and leaves are attractive in autumn…

…and the nectar is great for hoverflies…

…and bees

The leaves around the Wharf are also colourful…

I think this is another species of dogwood (Cornus) with red autumn leaves – but I could be very wrong!

Photinia

Not sure what this is, probably a member of the Rosaceae family

Sweetgum (Liquidambar) in front of the apartments at the south end of the Wharf

I think this is a Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) with hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium) wrapped around it

Field maple (Acer campestre) and ivy (Hedera)…

…a closer look

Willows of all types are still green…

…a closer look

Green is not always good – here’s a pile of pondweed skimmed from the water during maintenance

Then there are the odds and ends…

Tiny scarlet pimpernel flower buds (Anagallis arvensis)

Green unripe female catkins of alder (Alnus glutinosa)

Flowers and seed heads of wild carrot (Daucus carota)

Seeds of old man’s beard or traveller’s joy (Clematis vitalba)

I think this spiked plant must be something like gorse (Ulex europaeus) but there is no hint of yellow flowers yet so I may be wrong…

…a closer look

I regret I cannot think what this plant is??

…but I will always know a common or garden Buddleia davidii when I see one…

…beautiful leaves…

…and seedhead

And finally…

I love this mute swan (Cygnus olor) with its big leathery black feet

I hope there will still be some colour around the Wharf next month, as winter draws near – we shall see…

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