Marmalade Hoverfly - Episyrphus balteatus

[ladylouise62]

Since the weather here is so dull, and it looked like it is over much of the UK, I have pulled out a shot from earlier in the summer to brighten things up.
It's a pretty common Hoverfly, but the flower is new to me.. and wonderfully bright. It was in a North London graveyard so was probably a garden escapee rather than a wildflower.

[rolf]

Cracking shot Louise, so much to look at. it's a Desktop wallpaper waiting to happen.

[Chocky]

Excellent capture Louise
I agree with Rolf . I does look like a good Desktop wallpaper.The colours are perfect together

[Catherine]

Nice photo, Louise!

Louise, the Orange Hawkweed is not really a garden escapee in the normal term. Yes, it was probably brought to Britain (as to many other countries, by those who visited Alpine scree areas, loved its colour and brought home some seeds, but it would not normally be grown in any garden.)

I first found out about it about 30 years ago, when I saw some growing at an old, disused railway station, and, like you, was struck by its glowing, orange-red colour.

I took home a few plants to brighten up part of our rockery in Lanark - AND regretted it. It multiplies through its dandelion-type seeds, and by spreading its above-ground runners throughout flower beds. It's VERY difficult to get rid of it - I know!

Funnily enough, on Googling for a link to give you, I came across Australian, Canadian and American websites (like this one; Orange Hawkweed Identification - Hieracium aurantiacum) - all condemning it as a 'serious pest'!

However, there were also other links, and, if you believe in 'psychic pollution', perhaps this one's for you!
Orange Hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiacum) - £3.75 : Sun Essences, Flower Remedies
As sceptics would say in Glasgow (with a slow shake of the head) 'Aye, right!'

If you try it out however, please let us know if it works!

[ladylouise62]

So - it can be used in the case of psychic pollution? Maybe that's why they have it n the churchyard
Thanks so much, Catherine. I did try and find it but didn't get too far, but really wanted to know what it was. I knew you'd know But if it has runners as well as those sorts of seed-heads then it must be a real pain!