Indian Summer

Wednesday, 3rd October 2001, West Yorkshire

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IT'S A FRESH, sunny morning, warm enough to take breakfast outside.

A Jay flies along the edge of the wood with an acorn in its beak, echoing the views of Nutcrackers with hazel nuts that we were getting in Austria two weeks ago.

comma on ice plant

The Ice Plant, Sedum spectabile, was planted in our south-facing, sheltered, garden border to offer a late source of nectar for butterflies, but it hasn't attracted many recently. Today, while the sun is on it, a Comma pauses briefly to feed.

comma

It was formerly classified as a Sedum but today the correct botanical name is Hylotelephium spectabile, meaning a 'spectacular woody plant'. It is a native of China and Korea. It is sometimes referred to as the 'Butterfly Plant' because, along with the Buddleia, it is one of the best garden plants for attracting them. It has glossy, fleshy leaves.

Richard Bell,
wildlife illustrator
E-mail; 'richard@willowisland.co.uk'

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