Take a look at this wonderful variegated wild stinging nettle that I have discovered. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it; especially with the intense spring sunshine highlighting the colours.
The centre of the leaf is a mint green with a yellow to cream outer and on the newer leaves, the margin is a fantastic salmon pink.
However, all is not as it appears. The nettle is part of a group that is growing in a drainage ditch and spectacular results are because the roots have been submerged in water for a while. The nettle is literally suffocating and the leaves are basically dying.
Architecturally, it is a fantastic site although I feel the phenomenon will be short lived.
It's amazing what a couple of molecules of round-up will do! ;-)
Strangely I have a similar nettle this year - I would have photographed it but it has now in fact been rounded up - however the variegation was there before I touched a drop of Round-up this year so it must be a spontaneous sport.
Very attractive but I can't imagine it being a good seller....no need for PBR.
Good shot of it Phil
Cheers
Richard
Posted by: Richard Loader | May 08, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Of course! Roundup or at least Glyphosate.
I did not think about this Richard, but the grass around the field headland has been sprayed recently.
It is possible that the run off to the ditch has accumulated some residue of Glyphosate (although this shouldn't happen).
Posted by: Philip Voice | May 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM