Wild Flowers of Leazes Park

Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay willowherb,  Chamerion  ( Epilobium  in older books)  angustifolium  is one of the more statuesque plants of late summer. Popular names include Bombweed, Fireweed and Ranting Widow. Rosebay willowherb has not always been common and was formerly considered a rare plant. Now, however, it is one the most successful colonisers of wasteland, car parks and railway verges. It may have spread more widely with the opening up of the railways and come late summer you can see why; bursting from the seed capsules are numerous feathery plumed seeds that are easily spread in the slipstream of trains. Like purple loosestrife, rosebay willowherb forms spires of pink/purple flowers and from a distance, they might even look similar but get up close and there should be no confusing the two. 1. Stand of rosebay willowherb. Taxonomy The willowherbs belong to the Onagraceae family. They have 4 petals and 4 sepals arranged with radial symmetry. The ...

Scrophularia auriculata Neither common nor water figwort can be said to be pretty plants but there is something very striking and almost sinister about them both. The word fig is an old term for piles or haemorrhoids. Possibly the root protuberances or the flower buds resembled piles and on the philosophy of similars, an extract of figwort was a recommended treatment for this unfortunate condition. I have twice been stung by wasps while taking photographs of figworts. For some reason, wasps are attracted to the flowers and they play a role in pollination. Those wasps seem to take exception to some idiot with a camera getting in the way. So, if if you decide to take a closer look - take care. 1. Panicle of water figwort flowers by the lake. Taxonomy Figwort belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. This family was formerly something of a 'ragbag' of different plants which in many cases did not seem to have a great deal in common. Sure enough, now that we have more gene...

Conium maculatum The man.... laid his hands on him and after a while examined his feet and legs. Then pinched his foot hard and asked if he felt it. He said "no";  then after that, his thighs; and passing upwards in this way he showed us he was going cold and rigid. And then again he touched him and said that when it reached his heart he would be gone. Plato on the death of Socrates Hemlock is poisonous, so poisonous, that it was used for executions in ancient Greece. The most famous victim of hemlock was Socrates who was condemned to death for corrupting the young minds of Athens in 399BC.  You should treat hemlock with respect and know how to distinguish it from other members of the Apiaceae because even casual contact with the plant can be dangerous. For example, using the hollow stems to make a blow-pipe has resulted in burnt lips and nausea. 1. Bank of hemlock by the lake Taxonomy Hemlock belongs to the Apiaceae or carrot family which has been discussed in gener...