Gorse

The familiar gorse is in flower again, if indeed it ever stopped. The peak flowering season is spring, but some bushes start flowering in the autumn and others carry on through the winter. There can be a short period in July and August when flowering ceases, but even then a few flowers can sometimes be found. The saying "When gorse is out of blossom, kissing's out of fashion" suggests that those keen on kissing know that they don't ever have to stop! Although farmers regard gorse as a serious weed, taking over rough pastures and spreading rapidly over hillsides, it is an important plant for wildlife, with its abundant nectar for insects, including bumblebees, and the provision of safe nesting places for birds like Yellowhammer, Stonechat and Linnet.

Malcolm

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

This Rowan is pictured just off the Kilchoman road, looking over Loch Gorm topwards Carnduncan.


Rowan is a fast-growing tree, characterised by its brilliant red berries at the end of summer.  It grows at a higher altitude than any other tree in the country and occurs at elevations of almost 1,000 metres in parts of the Highlands when it is frequently stunted in form.

In Scotland today, rowans are often found growing in inaccessible locations, such as cliffs, steep stream-sides and on top of large boulders. However, these are not the preferred locations for the species, but rather are the only places where it has been able to grow out of reach of herbivores such as red deer (Cervus elaphus) and sheep.
Leaves are up to 20 cm. in length, and are comprised of 9-15 leaflets, which are serrated with small teeth.

Rowan is a deciduous tree, with the new leaves appearing in April, and they turn a bright orange-red colour in autumn before being shed.
The flowers blossom after the leaves have appeared, usually in May or early June, and are creamy-white in colour. Individual flowers are about 1 cm. in diameter and they grow in dense clusters or corymbs, each containing up to 250 flowers, and measuring 8-15 cm. across. The strong, sweet scent attracts pollinating insects, including many species of flies, bees and beetles.

http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/

Water Mint - (Mentha aquatica)

Growing near Crosshouses at the top of Loch Indaal.