Red bartsia in Lambrok Meadow by the stream near where there is a ford across into the Church Lane field.
Red bartsia (Odontites vernus) is a very interesting wildflower species. It belongs to the Orobanchaceae family, a group of plants that are almost all parasitic to some degree. Red bartsia, while its reddish leaves contain some chlorophyll and it is able to photosynthesise, also parasitises grass, extracting nutrients from its roots.
Melitta tricincta
Its flowers are popular with late season nectar feeders, particularly carder bees and wasps. In fact, it is the sole food source for one particular solitary bee, Melitta tricincta or the red bartsia bee.
Header image by Clive Knight
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 