Pilewort or Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), flowering between January and April; these lovers of damp woodland pathways, stream banks and ditches, can be found in gardens, meadows and shady hedgerows, and even Narnia, yes, Narnia! β¨
Ficaria verna growing on the bank of a field edge
An important nectar source for early emerging insects from hibernation, such as Queen Bumblebees π
Lesser celandine were used to treat haemorrhoids, hence “Pilewort” and scurvy, due to being high in Vitamin C.
Dwelling in moist places; Alder grow near rivers, ponds, lakes and in wet, swampy woods, also known as Carrs.
Their flowers were used as green dye, to colour and camouflage the clothes of outlaws, like Robin Hood and to also colour the clothes of fairies π§π»ββοΈ
Flowering between February and April, Alder catkins provide an early source of nectar and pollen for Bees, and the seeds are eaten by Goldfinches, Siskins and Redpolls.
Alder catkins
The pale wood turns a deep orange after being cut, giving the impression of bleeding. So, in the past, many people feared them and the Irish thought it was unlucky to pass one on a journey π
The roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules, conditioning the soil and improving soil fertility on former industrial wasteland and brownfield sites.
Alder leaf beetles (Agelastica alni) feed on the leaves of alder trees. They’ve become common in parts of England and Wales since 2004.
It was said that a few Alder leaves placed in the shoes before a long journey would cool the feet and prevent swelling π€·π»ββοΈ
Being a tough species of tree, their wood doesnβt rot when waterlogged, instead it makes them harder and stronger. Plus, mature trees can reach a height of approximately 28 metres and live to around 60 years.
There we have it, 30 Days Wild! Today is the last day of Random Acts of Wildness π₯³ So I am looking back over the past 29 days, and in this post I am sharing my highlights π
Yesterday I had a wee trip to my local town & I documented how green the journey there is ποΈ
#30DaysWIld
Today I celebrated Father’s Day with some of my family & we had a BBQ, which my Brother-in-law & I tended to π
When the evening arrived, it was time to prepare for the Big Wild Quiz, hosted by Sophie Pavelle and David Oakes. Which kicked off just after 7pm, it was great fun & a laugh! π
Today I visited an Urban Organic Micro Farm, called Rea Spring Gardens – which is a short walk away. It is own and ran by a lovely, enthusiastic couple, Charlie and Ashley, who farm with wildlife and the environment in mind π
In the video below, you get to see what they grow and the animals they keep! π¨π»βπΎ
You must be logged in to post a comment.