Field Gromwell?

After yesterday's success with the Venus's Looking Glass on Epsom Downs/Langley Vale I went back to take a closer look at the field corner in which it was present, and was glad that I did. I reckon that this is Field Gromwell (Lithospermum arvense), another declining arable species. It has clean white flowers and does not exhibit nerves on either side of the leaf - is this enough to eliminate Common Gromwell? I've seen the latter species but not the former. If anybody out there has an opinion, please share it! (Postscript: Ann Sankey, the Surrey botanical recorder, has agreed with the identification. I have also received thumbs-up from Peter Wakeham, John Peacock and Derek Faulkner. Thanks to them all for their input.)





Comments

Derek Faulkner said…
Steve,
Comparing your photos with those in my flower book, I'd say your ID was correct but more comments would be nice.
16 July 2015 at 18:25
John said…
Hi Steve

I would say you are bang-on! I like the pictures by the way. Knotted Pearlwort is out both on Park and Banstead Downs!
16 July 2015 at 20:37
Steve Gale said…
Thank you both for your input. I'm pretty happy with it now. My next trip needs to be Park Downs for Knotted Pearlwort!
16 July 2015 at 21:16
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