22 June 2009

Nitten Field, Mewslade


The sacrificial crop in the Nitten Field (SS423875), which lies at the eastern end of Rhossili's mediaeval field system kown as the Viel, is replanted annually for farmland birds by Gordon and Beryl Howe. Again, one or two interesting accidental imports in the mix appeared; last year there were a few spikes of Purple Viper's-bugloss (Echium plantagineum), this year there was a solitary plant of Scorpionweed (Phacelia tanacetifolia) [photo above]. The main crop species planted this year were Cultivated Flax (Linum usitatissimum), Barley (Hordeum vulgare), Gold-of-pleasure (Camelina sativa), Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and Triticale (x Triticosecale), with a stand of Chichory (Cichorium intybus) established around the field boundary.

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