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Posted by Clare O'Reilly Doesn't this just show how its really worth having a go at keying a plant out when you are in the field?! We've had lots of suggestions and you often really can't tell just from a photo. Sometimes things like fruits are missing from your plant but using a key helps rule out what it's not as well as short list what it's likely to be! I can't access the picture for some reason, but Solving this sort of puzzle is a lot of fun - don't give up! Kind regards
on 27/5/2006, 9:59 am, in reply to "Teesdale query"
81.154.152.72
Dear all
Erophila has a leafless stem whereas Draba has leaves; Erophila is the only white flowered crucifer (Brassicaceae or cabbage family) with a leafles stem and notched petals (but you need to be sure its a crucifer!) Were there any fruits? Usually you will find some on Erophila as it is annual and has such a short life-cycle. Caryophyllaceae (campion famil which includes Cerastium) have (nearly always) opposite leaves whereas the Brassicaceae you mention all are alternate or spiralled leaved. Moehringia has undivided petals. Suggest you read the descriptiosn of these genera in a flora (Stace or the Wild FLower Key - not a picture book as many of these have inacccurate text or no descriptions of genera any way) and see which match up? E.g. Cerastium has 5 (not 3) styles etc.
Sea mouse ear would be a new county record for vc 66 (Durham). I live in Barnard Castle, just down the road from Teesdale, so could check the plant out if you think it is this. clare@ecologyconsultancy.co.uk
Clare
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