Chalara fraxinea is without doubt the most serious threat to our native European Ash
Fraxinus excelsior excluding man himself. If recent press reports are to be believed we could
lose up t0 95% of all our trees.

Whilst I in know way denounce this outcome I have seen over many years regular reports of
the near complete loss of a plant species due to disease. In recent years this has come almost
as an annual event.

As a boy growing up in the early seventies I watched the almost complete destruction of our
native Elm Ulmus procera through Dutch elm disease Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. Although less
publicized Phytophthora cinnamomi a water mould wiped out many nurseries in the 1970’s
and 80’s in particular those growing Ericaceae plants (Rhododendrons) and conifers.

Since this period I have heard of many Genus and Species that are likely to become extinct
including Hypericun (St Johns Wort), Quercus (Oak), Aesculus (Horse Chestnut), Prunus
(Cherry), Crataegus (Hawthorn) to name just a few. Possible the most well-known of these
is the Sudden Oak death Phytophthora ramorum. First reports implied that trees could take
just a few days to die and could explode spewing out red excretion etc, the likely outcome
being that a large proportion of are native oaks would be gone in a few years. This does not
appear to have happened, whilst I do not doubt the authenticity and danger of such a disease
no indication of an epidemic or plague seems to have occurred.

What also appears to be obvious is that government is incapable of dealing with the possible
problems. Initial reports suggested shutting the door too late, and then we had the ‘wash
your dog, disinfect your boots’ line which for an airborne disease is slightly absurd. This is
followed by a COBRA meeting implying just how seriously the governments are taking the
situation presumably they will be sending in the troops. This type of instance should tell those
in government; just how important what is left of our research institutes which have been
under almost constant threat since the 1980’s, it is time to bring science into focus and give it
the backing it rightly deserves.

What is required is less alarm more knowledge; science must come to fore, if as some already
believe the disease cannot be contained, maybe it is worth letting it run its course, although
this would decimate the Ash it could wipe out the disease. Possible the more important aspect
is to insure that we have collected a diverse range of seed material from all corners of the
United Kingdom; stored correctly they could form the basis of an Ash Return.

We have a number of images of Fraxinus excelsior on the Imageflora website

Just a mile or two from the main trunk road of the A38 in Devon a short distance from the market
town of Newton Abbot can be found The Orchid Paradise. On arrival the word ‘Paradise’ may be
slightly dodgy by trading standards regulations, a small car park to one side with three or four old
fashioned glass houses, there is nothing smart or slick about entering Orchid Paradise no inactive
screens, electronic gizmos a smiling face to guide you through the exhibits.

That is the good news, this is an old fashioned attraction, it demands the ability to read, concentrate
and make an effort. In the centre is a small café come restaurant serving teas and coffee simple but
well prepared meals and many gifts, all at a reasonable price.

The upper greenhouses are divided between tropical and sub-tropical/temperate orchids and those
for sale. The ‘exhibition’ or lower house is the place to begin kept warm and humid by small pools
filled with greedy koi carp keep children amused. Staged on benches and in baskets hundreds of
species cultivars and varieties of tropical orchids show of their abundance of colourful flowers many
strangely scented the exhibits are constantly changed throughout the year more than a thousand
types will put in an appearance. Many of the specimens are unique to Burnham Nursery and some
are now extinct in the wild.

The collection is very much a family business now run by Sara Rittershausen and her enthusiastic
knowledgeable staff. It is this clear love and enthusiasm for orchids that comes across and makes
the whole experience worthwhile. They are constantly putting on events and features talks and help
days to try and improve people’s knowledge of such complex plant group.

The tender tropical orchids contain over one million different forms species, hybrids and cultivars
etc; In a life time of study it would be hard have a knowledge of 5% of such vast subject; this I
think puts a lot of students of plants of the group too big an under taking. Having been to orchid
Paradise on many occasions throughout the year I have come not only to respect the set up but also
to respect the plants. The sheer diversity of colour shape and form, the complexity of attraction
whether by color, scent or shape all to achieve one aim, pollination, has to be the broadest of any
plant family.

After leaving the exhibition house I return to the upper houses at the easy end of the scale are
the Phalaenopsis Moth Orchids possible the most common cultivated form alongside these the
Cymbidiums large showy plants are probably the best starting point. Air plants and those growing
on bark are also available, I am particularly struck by the large flowered and brilliants colours of the
Vanda Orchids. At around £20 or 25 euros these may seem to be expensive, but, having bought one
back in March it has just stopped flowering in October giving great value for money and with a little
work I may be able to get to flower again next year.

I find the best way to keep them is in a warm bathroom or kitchen the humidity will be a bit higher in
good indirect light and I always water them with tepid rain rather than tap water, keeping then very
moist during the flowering time and reducing when dormant.

For an entry fee of £2.50 open throughout the year from 10am to 4pm it is an old fashioned
attraction and a perfect place to spend a couple of hours on a rain socked day at any time of the
year. Take a break and enjoy an old fashioned tea cake and just relax.

For more information about Orchid Paradise and Burnham Nursery forth coming events and tips go
to http://www.orchids.uk.com/

I first climbed it in 2005 by what is described as the ‘easy’ route meandering up through
dense Box woods; you arrive at the foot of the cliffs, fortress like protecting the summit.
After a short scramble you come across a high meadow awash with wildflowers and the
alternatives folks sitting singing chanting or excited by the experience. Before, a further
short walk takes you to the rather dull summit with great views towards Peche Canigou to
the South The Plateau de Sault to the South West the Aude Valley to the West and North
to the city of Carcassonne and beyond to the Black Mountains.

There are many myths and legends about the mountain as the largest peak in the region it
was a special place for the persecuted Cathars before the 13th century; from the summit
they could see into the heart of their region right up to the Ariege and the High Pyrennes.

It is alleged that Jules Verne used it as inspiration for the book Journey to the Centre of
the Earth. Later Steven Spielberg is alleged to have been inspired by it for his film Close
Encounters.

In more recent times in December 2012 you may go there to be saved from destruction as
it is claimed that Spacemen will either emerge from the depths or land on the mountain
and remove people before the end of the planet.

What I do know and is factual is that there are a great many caves under the mountain.
The description as an ‘upside down’ mountain is surprisingly accurate as the rocks near
the summit are older than those lower down; this is due, as I understand it to movement
of plates pushing up old rock from deep down whilst the younger rock is peeled away and
left at the base.

This year I climbed route difficile or the difficult ramble on the other side of the
mountain. A steady, fairly steep climb through grassy meadows; brings you again to
the rock face. At first it appears quite daunting, splashes of yellow paint mark the way
eventually coming to a ‘window’ in the rock and a scree like accent to the top.

It is in part the rock wall which has lead to the magical quality, people have seen amazing
shapes and forms in including huge Buddhas , Hares and other creature, with large
Griffin Vultures flying overhead it is easy to see just how people can be sucked into the
alternative theory.

Finally and from my own perspective in May and June the mountain offers a wonderful
display of flowers including many rare orchids.

If we survive the 21st of December 2012 I would recommend a visit and if you need
to marvel, be amazed and get blown away do so by the flora that in habits this great
mountain from its top to the bottom.

The article talks about the seemingly “step backwards” in technology making images of today look like scans of old faded ‘poor quality’ shots. This is obviously to draw on the feeling of nostalgia within the audience, but at what cost?

In many cases, even where plants have been labelled or clearly identified we have come across problems. It is widely accepted that areas such as fungi, photographic identification is extremely difficult. Wildflowers vary considerable given the location and part of the world they grow in. We try where possible to include sub-species, varieties etc also information about environment where a plant image is obtained e.g Mountains or Seaside.

We use a vast range of books plus websites such as Wikipedia to help us in achieving accuracy; although images and descriptions vary considerable from book to book or website to website.

Just one example of this is the very popular Camellia called Donation, generally speaking it is mostly commonly found with the title Camellia x williamsii Donation; however, it is also listed as just Camellia Donation, Camellia hybrid Donation Camellia cuspidata Donation or even Camellia japonica Donation.

Any help would be most appreciated

What defines a ‘Top Shot’? in simple terms it is the best image in that group, we look at the quality of the flower for example has to be at or around it’s peak, the image should have balance and be framed and focus correct, colours should be spot on.

To find and check whether there is a ‘Top Shot’ put in the name of the plant e.g Camellia followed by the words ‘Top Shot’ this will give you a selection of the best Camellia images

I should reiterate that most of the site is not covered by this service yet but we intend to increase it as we work through the images.

If you are in advertising, design or marketing flowers and plants can be a useful neutral image to help promote a product in a clean, environmentally friendly way. Very few plants offend, many of our unusual wild images can give subtle positive messages when trying to promote a product or company.

Having decided on a colour range e.g Pink you will be offered a range of pinks to narrow the choice down to the exact colour palette you require.

We would value any feed back on this as it lets us know whether we should expand it etc

Please, if you are looking for a plant image just not sure what, drop us an email and let us suggest some links

Describe by many as the most beautiful of spring flowering shrub, the range of pink white and red flowers set against rich deep green foliage is unsurpassed.
For the most part these plants come from the Far East China and Japan the site contains many species forms some with small insignificant flowers, but wonderful scent often a factor not considered with Camellias.

For those considering an article or a book on the subject of Camellias Imageflora needs to be bookmarked.