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Saturday 18 May 2013

Things I saw in the woods today, part 16

I had earlier posted about Wild Garlic and mentioned that once it starts flowering the picking season is over. Here is a photo of the Wild Garlic today: the first flowers are emerging so I won't be gathering it anymore. The taste now is less pungent and the leaves more indigestible once the flowers appear. Ironically the flowers signify the end of the plant. Another garlicky story follows afterwards...

Wild Garlic or Ramsons

After the Wild Garlic, we now have Garlic Mustard photos of which are below. This garlicky smelling plant was used by herbalists in medieval times as 'an outward application of cancerous ulcers and gangrene.' (British Wild Flowers, Charles A. Hall, 1937). Notice the heart-shaped leaves.
Garlic Mustard



Garlic Mustard

The following photo is of Common Vetch- the pinkish flowers and distinctive pear shaped leaves are easy to spot among the grasses in the meadow. Vetch is a member of the pea family.

Photos copyright SvD.

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