On Saturday 7 March I participated in a botany outing to the Parc de la Vallée at Mettray, led by Dominique Tessier. He is their biodiversity adviser. Here is a small selection of the 200 photos I took.
Straw Bristle Moss Orthotrichum stramineum.
The Choisille River winds through the park.
Black Stone Flower lichen Parmotrema perlatum (Fr. Fleur de pierre noire) is a widespread species that occurs in temperate climates everywhere. It is used as a spice in India.
A Douglas Fir cone.
An alderfly Sialis sp. Without seeing the abdomen it is not possible to say for sure which species.
Eastern Sycamore Lace Bug Corythucha ciliata (Fr. Tigre du platane). Pick off any piece of London Plane tree bark and you will find one of these non-native bugs lurking on the underside. The species arrived in France in 1975, from America, and is one of the vectors for two deadly fungal diseases of sycamores, to which London Plane Platanus x hispanca is particularly susceptible.
A rosette lichen Physcia sp.
Oakmoss Evernia prunastri, for once not growing on oak, and distinguishable from lookalike species by its mottled white underside. It is best known as being an ingredient for perfumes.
Hooded Tube Lichen Hypogymnia physodes.
Bitter Wart Lichen Lepra amara. I taste tested this patch. Definitely bitter.
The sports club at the main entrance to the park. The junior soccer team were practicing while we were there, and there were quite a few members of the public strolling or dog walking in the park. Several times we were asked about what we were doing and people seemed genuinely interested.
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