Top Row - Left
to Right
1.
Common Eyebright Euphrasia officinalis
The Eyebright is the only British species of a genus
containing twenty species distributed over much of the northern
hemisphere. The name Euphrasia is of Greek origin, derived from
Euphrosyne (gladness). This name was given because of the valuable
properties attributed to the plant as an eye medicine preserving
eyesight and so bringing gladness into the life of the sufferer.
It may be found in many of the fields at Plas Farm. Eyebright will
not grow readily in a garden if transplanted, unless 'protected'
apparently, by grass. The reason for this is that it is a semi-parasite,
relying for part of its nourishment on the roots of other plants.
Above ground, it appears to be a perfectly normal plant, with normal
flowers and bright green leaves - but below the surface, suckers
from its roots prey upon the surrounding grass rootlets. The grass
preyed upon does not, however, suffer very much, as the cells penetrate
but a slight distance, moreover the Eyebright being an annual, renewing
itself from year to year, the suckers on the grass roots to which
it is attached also wither in the autumn, so there is no permanent
drain of strength from the grass. It flowers from July to September,
with deeply-cut leaves and numerous, small, white or purplish flowers
variegated with yellow.
2. Large
Bindweed Calystegia silvatica
Large bindweed was introduced from southern Europe probably
in the middle of the 18th century although not reliably recorded
until late in the 19th. It is now widely naturalised in Wales and
differs from its close relative, the native Hedge Bindweed by the
large green bracts at the base of the flower which overlaps and
completely conceals the calyx. It flowers from July to September.
3. Common Enchanter's Nightshade Circaea
lutetiana
This is a woodland wildflower that blooms during the summer
in shaded areas. Its flowers are usually small, white, and not very
showy. Enchanter's Nightshade is a rather odd member of the Evening
Primrose family, as its flowers have only 2 petals, 2 sepals, and
2 stamens. A good place to find this flower is at the entrance gate
to the oak woodland, a five minute walk from your self catering
holiday cottage.
Second Row - Left to Right
4. Cow Parsnip Heracleum sphondylium
Cow Parsnip, also known as Hogweed, is thought by some
to be an aphrodisiac, digestive, mildly expectorant and sedative.
Whether or not you are still in the mood after retrieving some leaves
from the slurry pit is another question. Hollow stems can be used
as pea shooters or water pistols.
5. Burnet
Saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga
Burnet Saxifrage can be found growing in the rush pasture
on the hill behind the holiday cottages. Like many other umbellifers,
this species is attractive to the caterpillars of various moths
and is also frequented by a number of species of fly.
The Burnet Saxifrage is neither a Burnet nor a Saxifrage, but has
obtained the latter name because it was thought by some to break
up stone in the bladder, and the former from the similarity of its
leaves to the Greater and Lesser Burnets.
6. Cuckoo
Flower Cardamine pratensis
Cuckoo Flower may be found during springtime in the cattle
meadows in front of the self catering holiday cottages at Plas Farm.
The name Cuckoo Flower was first explained in 1597 by John Gerarde:
'These floure for the most part in Aprill and May, when the Cuckow
begins to sing her pleasant notes without stammering.' Other names
are Lady's Smock, Bread and Milk, Meadow Cress, Spinks, Milkmaids,
and Cuckoo Spit. The flowers droop and close up at night or during
heavy rain. The meadow froghopper is attracted to the sap
of these plants, and its larvae form frothy blobs on the stems which
some people refer to as 'cuckoo spit'.
Third Row - Left
to Right
7. White
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea 'Alba'
White Foxgloves in the wild are almost certainly garden escapes.
The origin of the botanical name, Digitalis, is based upon the Latin
word digitatus for finger. Perhaps this is because the thimble-like
blooms fit a human finger in the way a thimble does. This picture
was taken on the earth bank outside Bwthyn Y Saer holiday cottage.
8. Common Snowdrop
Galanthus nivalis
Although native to many parts of Europe, there is
some uncertainty as to whether snowdrops are native to Britain or
not. Although they grow freely in the wild; all 'wild' snowdrops
seem to be garden escapees. One theory is that monks brought snowdrops
to Britain from Italy in the fifteenth century, as the flowers are
frequently found in the gardens of old monasteries. Whatever their
story, there appears to be no record of snowdrops growing wild in
Britain before 1770. Snowdrops flower between Januray and March
and their emergence is a sign of Winter's end.
9. Common Wood Sorrel Oxalis
acetosella
Common wood sorrel flowers for a few months during the spring, with
small white flowers with pink streaks. The binomial name is Oxalis
acetosella, because of its sour taste. The stalk is red/brown, and
during the night or when it rains both flowers and leaves contract.
The common wood sorrel is sometimes referred to as a shamrock (due
to its three-leaf clover-like motif) and given as as gift on St.
Patrick's Day.
NO PHOTOGRAPHS
AS YET
1. Common Daisy Bellis perennis
2. Ivy Hedera helix
3. Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata
4. Ox-eye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare
5. Pond Water Crowfoot Ranunculus peltatus
6. Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus
7. Snowdrop Galarithus nivalis
8. Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica
9. Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Should you spot
any white wild flowers at Plas Farm during your cottage holiday
that are not listed on this page, please let us know and if possible
take a photograph of it!
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