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Bee and Flower

©Jon Hawkins

WildNet - Richard Burkmar

bee on aster (Celia Davies)

bee on aster (Celia Davies)

Photo of carline thistle (J Shorter)

carline thistle (J Shorter)

Dandelions, Daisies and Thistles

Location:
Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD
Book
Can you distinguish between all the thistle lookalikes, between the mayweeds and chamomiles, or between the hawkbits and the hawkweeds?

Event details

Date

Time
10am – 4pm
A static map of Dandelions, Daisies and Thistles

About the event

On this Study Day you will learn how to sort out the look-alikes in this, the largest family of flowering plants – the Asteraceae or Compositae, as they were previously called. 

You will spend the morning getting to grips with the basic features of this family, particularly those features that help us sort out the different genera and species. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the local habitats (at a leisurely pace) and practising those ID skills.

By the end of the session you will be able to tackle the identification of the major genera and species of our Asteraceae, by their key floral features, using a hand lens.

Led by Ros Bennett, Botanist

Suitable for beginners and improvers

Booking

Email

study.days@kentwildlife.org.uk

Price

Normal fee: £37.50 per person per day.
Concessionary fee: Kent Wildlife Trust volunteers, senior citizens, unemployed and students £5 off.

Know before you go

Mobility

Minimal walking at a slow pace.

What to bring

Notebook and pencil. A x10 magnification hand lens (available on loan or for purchase during the course at £9) Suitable outdoor clothing and a picnic lunch. 

We shall be using simplified keys.  It is not essential to bring any books but you my like to consider the following if you have them: 

  • A picture field guide (such as Rose and O’Reilly’s Wild Flower Key) if you have one, though we shall also be using simplified keys. 
  • The New Flora of the British Isles by Clive Stace (edition 4).