Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - No. 74 - July 2008
Andrew Stevens

I don’t often go supermarket shopping, but when I do it is an opportunity to search for interesting plants in the car park. If surroundings have not been clinically landscaped they are usually short of topsoil and may contain interesting relics of their green or brownfield heritage without strong competition. However, searching the ground with head down or squatting next to a stranger’s car to get a closer view does excite suspicion and puzzled looks.

Recently on a trip to CK’s at Ponty-berem, Liz drew my attention to a pink flower which I identified as Weasel’s Snout Misopates orontium (called Weasel’s Snout because of the supposed resemblance of its seed capsules).  On a second visit I found Dwarf Spurge Euphorbia exigua and Sharp-leaved Fluellen Kickxia elatine (Shakespeare’s mis-spelling of Llewelyn has somehow become attached to this plant).  All three arable weeds are declining nationally and scarce in inland Wales so one evening when by chance we met Richard, Kath and some other Llanelli Naturalists at a concert in the hall next door we held an impromptu meeting afterwards.  No doubt we raised a few eyebrows, especially as Richard photographed the plants by flashlight.