Wednesday 3 May 2023

Le Puy de la Colline, Chinon

The Puys du Chinonais, a group of sand covered limestone ridges, are, thanks to an exceptional microclimate, home to a Mediterranean type of flora. The Association de botanique et de mycologie de Sainte Maure de Touraine visited the Puy de la Colline (from the Latin podium, which means a low hill) on 15 April 2023. The views are terrific and the habitat full of interesting species. To help protect the environment, visitors are asked not to pick the flowers.

Vineyard, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
A vineyard in the Chinon AOC on the lower slopes, taking advantage of the sandy soil, which helps control diseases such as phylloxera. In the background, just visible, is the nuclear power station at Avoine.

Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio (Fr. Orchis buffon).

Field Dog Lichen Peltigera rufescens, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Field Dog Lichen Peltigera rufescens.

Halictidae on Grassy-leaved Buttercup Ranunculus gramineus, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
A sweat bee Halictidae, probably Lasioglossum sp, in a Grassy-leaved Buttercup Ranunculus gramineus (Fr. Renoncule graminée).

Botanising, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Corinne, checking out a sand catchfly.

Prostrate Speedwell Veronica prostrata, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Prostrate Speedwell Veronica prostrata (Fr. Véronique prostrate).

Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris, mating, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris (Fr. La Cicindèle champêtre), mating. The way he has his jaws clamped around her 'waist' is alarming.

Cladonia foliacea, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Cladonia foliacea lichen.

Pasqueflower Pulsatilla vulgaris, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Pasque Flower Pulsatilla vulgaris (Fr. l'Anemone pulsatille), with a Cowslip Primula veris (Fr. coucou).

Former quarry, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
A former quarry.

Common Juniper Juniperus communis, Puy de la Colline, Chinon, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Common Juniper Juniperus communis (Fr. Le Genévrier commun).

 

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