👀 What to look for in Railway Fields in June: Summer flowers start to appear

Nothing says to me that Summer is imminent like the appearance of this plant. 

It is Ballota nigra or Black Horehound. It has pinky-purple, 'hooded' flowers are arranged in whorls around the top of its stems. Its hairy heart shaped leaves have jagged edges and may turn black (or rather a very dark purple) after the plant has flowered (hence the name). 

The name ‘Ballota’ comes from the Greek ‘ballo’ (to reject), referring to its offensive smell when the leaves are crushed and the observation that cattle reject it. Two alternative common names in English reflect its bad smell:  ‘Black Stinking Horehound’ or ‘Stinking Roger’. Despite its smell, it has been used for herbal treatments through the ages including as a remedy for spasmodic coughs, cramps, nausea and, externally, in the treatment of gout. In folklore, it was recommended as a poultice to bites from mad dogs and venomous animals. 

Inevitably it is also associated with warding off negative enchantments by witches and given as a 'nerve tonic' for melancholy. 

For me, the sight of its purple flowers poking up in the hedgerow is a sign that the warm days of Summer are coming. 

You may also notice another purplish plant poking up out of the ivy.

It has a slightly alien plant look about it. This is ivy broomrape Orobanche hederae which is completely parasitic on English ivy. Plants of this type generally have no chlorophyll and cannot exist without a host plant. For this reason, it is helpful in keeping the ivy in check and preventing it from overwhelming other plants. It's not that common but in Railway Fields it grows in abundance. 

Finally, insects are enjoying the bramble flowers that are appearing across the site and very quickly beginning to swell into the green drupes that will turn into blackberries. The beautiful show of dog roses is already past but these delicate little flowers are a worthy replacement.

Speaking of insects, the site is full of bees, hover flies and tiny beetles of all sizes but don't be too surprised if you see less butterflies than you expect. They are there, especially Speckled Wood, the odd White, a late (or early) Holly Blue and Red Admiral. We are, however, in the June gap which is the quiet period in early-to-mid summer when common spring butterflies have finished breeding and died, while the next generation is still developing as caterpillars or pupae. Expect their return in July, just in time for the Big Butterfly Count