As noted before in these pages the management of our verges is probably the biggest drain on reserves staff time at this time of the year. Although occasionally laborious it is very rewarding as the paths are garlanded with a diversity of colourful botany that they would not otherwise boast if managed in any other fashion. This is of particular appeal to the great diversity of insects as well as our two legged visitors escaping Weymouth’s holidaying hoards.
When so intimately associated with the management of the verges we are able to note the fluctuations in abundance of particular plant species and at the moment both purple loosestrife and angelica are unusually widespread, which is pleasing to me as they represent my joint favourite wild flowers. There must be a some environmental trigger to these boom years and the sun and moon have metaphorically been in alignment from angelica’s perspective as not only are there a massive abundance of them but many are veritable sky scrapers.
Unusually both these species are noticeable within the reedbeds this year probably as a joint result of the parasitic insects that have robbed the reed of its vitality and the unusually dry conditions allowing them to get a footing amongst moisture loving fragmites.
Angelica is a member of the carrot (umbellifer) family and has been used as a herb through the centuries. Legend has it that it's name is derived from an angel that revealed Angelica to be a cure for the plague although history tells us that the success of this was (at best) limited.
Purple loosestrife also has a long and varied history in medicine and herbalism. It has proven anti-bacterial properties and as such was prescribed by medieval herbalists to staunch bleeding, as a gargle for sore throats and to cure mouth ulcers. It has also found application in the treatment of food poisoning, diarrhoea, dysentery and cholera - the purple panacea of Radipole’s verges!
Purple loostrife to the right of greater willowherb - also flourishing this summer which is good news for our local elephant hawkmoth population as their main larval food plant.
Nb. In the event of contracting dysentery or cholera please contact your physician rather than self-medicating with our native herbage.
P.S. Apologies again for the recent dearth of blogging, once again the system was beset by disruptive digital gremlins foiling our good intentions at every turn. Normal service appears to have resumed so tune in soon for more botanical revelations!
Thanks very much folks... always a pleasure!