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JOHN
Starting Member
United Kingdom
42 Posts |
 Posted - 07/07/2007 : 09:14:32
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12,000 years ago the last ice age was coming to an end. England was still linked to Europe by a land bridge, across which, seeds from grasses and herbaceous plants were quickly spread by the wind. They took over the country, each flourishing in the habitat that suited it best. These were followed by shrubs and trees which smothered the flowers, leaving the country as one large forest with only moors and mountains sticking out above the canopy. Humans followed, cutting down some of the trees for fuel and home building, later clearing more for crops and stock. Taking advantage of this, the flowers fought back, their seeds able to lie dormant for years until the land was cultivated.
Humans had their own problems, sickness and ill health, so they turned to plants as the only source of medicine. Not knowing what did any good for which ailment, meant trial and error. The placebo effect coming into play, because any possible cure is better than none. And so was developed the "Doctrine of Signatures" so called because if even a part of a plant, however small, resembled, even obscurely, a part of the body, then it was the cure for ailments affecting that part. This system was first formalised early in 16th century. The plants had been given names that reflected these "properties", the name often followed by "wort", from the Anglo Saxon "wyrt" for plant or herb, for instance:-
liverwort. Cured liver problems
stitchwort. Cured "the stitch"
nipplewort. Cured sore or ulcerated nipples
Some names merely related to the plants appearance rather than it's healing properties:-
Ragwort. Has ragged leaves
Navelwort. Has disc shaped leaves with a distinct dimple in the middle which looks like a navel. This plant is sometimes known as "Wall pennywort" because the leaves are circular and much the size of an old penny.
Some plants didn't have "wort" added. Yellow Loosestrife, if hung around the neck of draft animals would make them more docile.
Early in 17th century a physician, Nicholas Culpeper, printed a complete list of medicines from plants and their application, for the use of poor people. He was accused of witchcraft by the Royal College of Physicians, but many of his cures are still used today in homeopathic medicine.
At the moment, a good place to see wild flowers is along the lower (eastern) edge of Black Park lake. In the corner nearest the car park, on the right of the steps going down to the road, are some small plants with clusters of tiny pale orange flowers in a roughly conical shape. These are Ladies Bedstraw. According to medieval legend, the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus on a bed of these because the animals had eaten all the hay. Nearer the path are some purplish/brown flower heads with blue petals. These are Selfheal, Straight out of the Doctrine. Nearby are some tall really slender stemmed flowers, with largish leaves and flowers like tiny dandelions. These are Nipplewort (see above) so called because their buds look like nipples. You can now check the efficacy of the system for yourselves. There are also some Oxeye daisies here. On the other side of the steps the plant with the yellow flowered spikes is Agrimony. and next to these is a Ragwort - check the leaves. There is white clover, and red clover, and the small plant with yellow clover like flowers is Lesser Yellow Trefoil. The Vast area of yellow flowers on the other side of the fence is Hawkweed. Some tall plants with rough hairy stems and leaves, which are still only in bud. are Hardheads. If you feel the buds you'll know why. These remain hard even when in flower.Along the front of the fence are Ribwort plantains. Don't ask me why the name, I dont know, but pollen found in peat and lake silt show it's ben around for 5000 years. Also along here are a few yellow flowers with 5 petals. Most of these have gone to seed, which are covered in little hooks to be spread by fur, feather, or clothing. This is Herb Bennet, a powerful charm. Once it was hung over doors to keep the Devil out, and according to one treatise "if carried in the pocket, no venemous beast will touch you"...
Ghoolies and Ghosties,
And long legged beasties,
And things that go bump in the night!
Also along here are many Curled Dock, Yarrow, White Dead Nettle, and Ragwort. Behind an old log, and growing through the brambles, is a tall red flower, just coming into bloom. This is a Rosebay Willowherb. Just before the bin, under a tree (Italian Alder) are some red flowers with a bladder like lump behind the petals. It's a Red Campion. The pale purple smaller flowers are Herb Robert, part of the Geranium family. Most Geraniums bought at garden centres are in fact Pelargoniums and not Geraniums. The tall silvery grey plants are Mugwort. Don't know the answer to that question either! The large blue flowers are Meadow Cranesbill - also Geranium family. Take a look at their seed pods and you'll know why they are called Cranesbill. The tall plant, like an overgrown Cow Parsley, is Hogweed. The leaves were used to feed pigs, and in fact new leaves are supposed to taste nice in salads. The much smaller, but similar shaped plant is Hedge Parsley. A flight of steps goes down to the rear of the park offices. At the top of these and to the right is another set of steps. Down here, many having already gone to seed, are Garlic Mustard, which for many years was used as a tasty condiment with fish. Further down, near the road, are some small white flowers on slender, leafless, stems. I think these are Wintergreen, but I've never seen this plant until two days ago, so I,m not sure.
Sorry to have bored you, but there are many more flowers just up the path.
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Ringo
New Member
United Kingdom
68 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2007 : 09:16:15
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I never knew there were so many plants and flowers! If you were to count the different types of flowers, insects and birds, which would have most variety?
Second question; Can we do a guided plant / flower walk in Langley Park? If so would spring be the best time? |
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JOHN
Starting Member
United Kingdom
42 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2007 : 02:49:50
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There are more insects than everything else put together. There are more plants than birds.
The best time for a flower/plant walk is probably June or July. Spring flowers still have some blooms left, and summer flowers are coming into full bloom. |
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JOHN
Starting Member
United Kingdom
42 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2007 : 03:02:14
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| Apologies to all our readers. After further investigation, I believe that the Wintergreen mentioned above is in fact "Enchanters Nightshade" and not wintergreen. But then who would have known? Or cared!! ME |
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A land of Flowers
