Serious Question about how to find wild flowers

Discussion in 'Plant ID' started by Biita, Jul 6, 2008.

  1. Biita

    Biita Arctic-ally Challenged Forager

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    Okay, i think everyone knows i'm pretty much the forager here. But every now and then i have a red hair moment (or week) and for the life of me, can't remember a name to a wild plant. Heres the question, How does someone go about finding out a name of a plant if you don't even know what the species is? You just know its good,,lol. Where do you start?

    I have typed in wildflowers,,,come up with everything under the sun,,,literally,,except what i'm looking for.

    I have typed in damp meadow wildflowers,,

    I have typed in arctic wildflowers,,

    I have typed in Norwegian wildflowers,,

    I have typed in European wildflowers,,,

    (sigh)

    Help (said in a really squeeky voice)

    ohhh yeah i have typed in both languages,,english and norwegian.
     
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  3. PepperDude

    PepperDude In Flower

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    Why not post a pic here and maybe we all can help you find it?
     
  4. Biita

    Biita Arctic-ally Challenged Forager

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    -- sliding back into the forum --

    (out of breath)

    Okay i took a couple pics,,

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This plant is very, very tall. Has light pink flower clusters,,

    If anyone can remember what its called i would be so grateful because its driving me crazy. Everyone I ask has no idea,,but I do!!!,,,, I just can't remember,,,

    Its not yarrow or ryllik, its not meadowsweet or mjødurt,,its not caraway,,,its,,,,,,,,,,,
     
  5. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    it's.........

    pretty and pink.


    I did google searches for wildflowers of Norway...arctic Norway...and just the arctic but found mostly websites for cruises or trips to Norway or the Arctic that had pictures of flowers.

    Maybe that could be your project for this next winter, create a website of Wildflowers of Norway. ;)
     



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  6. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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    It stinks like an old toilet, doesn't it? Can't remember the name of it. What I need to find is the trusted, old "Norsk flora"-book.
     
  7. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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  8. dooley

    dooley Super Garden Turtle

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    I'm thinking that a lot of wildflowers do not have a sweet smell. Some because they are not pollinated by bees but flies and they need a stinky smell. Maybe, also, to keep people from digging them up for their yards. I don't know what your plant is called but it's sure pretty. I hope you find out. dooley
     
  9. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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    I don't think there are any online sites with a wide presentation of Norwegian wildflowers. I can find one here and one there, but not all of them in one place. I can't find the flora book either. :( But I haven't given in!
     
  10. Biita

    Biita Arctic-ally Challenged Forager

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    Okay i ran out to smell it,, it actually has very little smell to it, but its not to bad..its not sweet smelling tho.

    Seeeee,,, when i ask, everyone just goes, i don't know,,,lol. Even droopy!!! Well i keep asking every tourist guest that shows up, and they don't even know,,,lol..ohhhh boy.

    okay i have one old norwegian book too, if i can find it,, it might have it in it,,,the thing tho is to find it.
     
  11. Biita

    Biita Arctic-ally Challenged Forager

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    norwegian flora,, norwegian flora,, not one ole norwegian book,,, see red hair moment had taken over all aspects of the brain.
     
  12. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Biita it looks a lot like Hemp Agrimony but the stalks aren't pink :-? or it could be valarian or maybe wild angelica??? I can't think of anything else at the moment but may get back to you if my little grey cells begin to kick in again.
     
  13. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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  14. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Biita we seem to have quite a few of the same wildflowers here in Scotland that you have in Norway. I have a book called 'Wildflowers of the British Isles' text by David Streeter, illustrated by Ian Garnand that may serve your purposes. I find it invaluable.

    Have a look here:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flowers-British ... 0333326792
     
  15. Biita

    Biita Arctic-ally Challenged Forager

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    Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I knew it was a good plant, i just for the life of me couldn't remember the name. Maybe the smell hasn't started yet. I know i use it medicinally for cramps. It does make me very relaxed,,,lol...understatement. I didn't know it was valerian. I just knew it helped calmed and helped with muscle cramping... I call it the muscle cramp plant. Okaaaay.

    All i know is its everywhere wild.

    The leaves i do know help in composting and mulching the soil,,very good for it.

    Eileen, i will have to get one of those books. I still haven't found mine, i think it might be over at uncles house.
     
  16. CritterPainter

    CritterPainter Awed by Nature

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    DH suggested that I ask if it's small and white, clean and bright, then he started whistling the "edelweiss" song from the Sound of Music. Sheesh. Anyhow...
    I use images.google.com to find alot of the plants I can't put a name to. Just start typing in defining characteristics.
     

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