Walk leader Gemma Bode. (Photographs Gill Stott)
A group of ten braved the sharp showers for the second walk starting at the Mackenzie Hall. The majority of the group were different to last week’s so good to welcome some newcomers.
Gemma started by selecting two plants that had managed to escape the car park bank mowing, Field Woodrush and Spring Sedge. The differences between these two plants was pointed out, Field Woodrush having long white hairs and round stems whilst Spring Sedge has a sharply three angled stem and the flower head is golden.
Two books to help identify plants were recommended. The Wild Flower Key by Francis Rose and Wild Flowers of Britain by Roger Philips. The books are arranged and presented differently. Francis Rose’s book has detailed descriptions of plants and their habitats with precise botanical artwork arranged in plant families whilst Roger Philips’s book uses photography and is arranged by season/time of year which helps users to know what to expect.
The walk took us down into Cutt’s Orchard along the Offa’s Dyke footpath. Along the track down we spotted Dogs Mercury, Wild Garlic, Native Bluebells and Wood Avens. The Wood Avens was forming a thick base of leaves – too early for flowering though the flowers are disappointingly small in comparison with the plant’s size. Roger Philips tells us that it was used medicinally by The Romans as a substitute for quinine. The roots give off a smell of cloves and were said to repel evil spirits if hung over a door.
Over the bridge in the first field we found Lords and Ladies or Cuckoo Pints. This plant has many different localised names when you research them. Cuckoo flowers or Lady’s Smock were flowering well – Lady’s Smock being a name associated with fairy folklore. The lower leaves are round whilst the upper leaves are narrow, almost spiky.
Foxgloves were developing their leafy basal foliage in the bottom meadow where many Native Bluebells were poised to begin flowering. We spotted Hairy Bittercress which Gemma told us preferred shallower soils and plenty of Pignut not yet showing its white umbellifer flowers, liking semi shade. New from two weeks ago Greater Stitchwort was flowering, with alternate paired leaves.
Dog Violets were still flowering well, their notch at the back of the flower paler than those of the early Dog Violet and of a darker colour.
Wood Sorrel was also found and can be eaten, it tasting like culinary sorrel. Wood Sorrel can be known as Shamrock – Ireland’s universal symbol with clover like trifoliate leaflets. Wood Sorrel leaflets fold up in the evening or in overcast weather as do the delicate flowers.
Walking across the next field back down to the wood we found Ribwort Plantain and Herb Robert which wasn’t yet in flower. Down in the wood near the stream there was a carpet of opposite leaved Golden Saxifrage, preferring more damp areas, the alternate leaved variety being more rare.
Amongst the Golden Saxifrage and more up in the field above Germander Speedwell was showing through with pointy oval leaves which are always paired and toothed.
On our way back up to the hall the non native Spanish Bluebell was spotted, being larger in flower and leaf – possibly a garden escape.
Despite the odd shower the group arrived back at the hall car park cheerful and grateful for another informative wild flower hunting walk. Many thanks Gemma!
The third Signs of Spring walk will be on Saturday April 25, meeting again at 10.30 at the MacKenzie Hall car park