Q. When is a weed not a weed? A. When it's a Red Data list species - Inglenook Farm

Yellow Wagtail 1

Curlew 1

 

Growing at the side of the path from the farm to Dairy Farm Road I found a few specimens of large-flowered hemp-nettle. This is the first time that I have found it growing in St Helens, though it may well occur elsewhere. It's a so called arable weed, but I think that's a bit of an insult to such a stunning plant. It's also a UK Red Data list species, though it's not particularly rare. I suppose it's the botanical equivalent of the Skylark, it thrives on arable land but modern farming methods are having a drastic effect on its population.