My BSBI News No. 133 arrived two days ago. Under article 'Adventives & Aliens News , 9' there is a record for Guizotis scabra ssp. schimperi (Sticky Niger) from VC95 Moray by my brother Ian. I didn't even know there was more than one species of Niger. I asked my brother how does it differ from Guizotia abyssinica (Niger) as Sticky Niger is not mentioned in any of my books. Ian said it was hairy and sticky to the touch.
Yesterday I revisited the plant I had recorded as Guizotia abyssinica (Niger) a few days earlier at Screen and sure enough it was a very sticky plant. I had found a new alien to Ireland. I checked on my other record for Niger near Campile and this one was Guizotia abyssinica (Niger).
I now wonder how often plants have been named as Guizotia abyssinica (Niger) when really they were G. scabra.
Also at Screen on on the small area of rough ground were two plants of Ammi majus (Bullwort) (see lower down).
Above: showing the hairs on stem.
Above: Sticky Niger with Bullwort behind. Below: Bullwort flower head.
Hi Paul, thanks for this interesting blog post. I think we may have this in Devon (as a garden casual). Photos here - please comment if you are able. Thanks: https://www.flickr.com/gp/sansum/88MUoY
ReplyDeleteHi Phil, I would agree your plant is also G. scabra. Your plant looks hairy in the photos, and you say is sticky to the touch. Paul
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul
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