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This is our place to share some of the plants and fungi that has caught our eye on our walks recently!
Common gorse found on Blackheath, which is typical of many heath land areas. It generally flowers from January to June. Common gorse is a large shrub and a member of the pea family.
Traditionally, common gorse was regularly collected from commonland for a number of purposes: it provided fuel for firing bread ovens; was used as fodder for livestock; was bound to make floor and chimney brushes; and was used as a colourant for painting Easter eggs
Elf cup fungus is fairly widespread but uncommon in Britain and Ireland. Scarlet elf cups thrive in damp woodland areas and are a food source for rodents and slugs. In folklore, wood elves were believed to drink morning dew from these cups.
Pixie Cup lichen is common on walls and tree stumps and roots. Pixie cup lichen is just one of thousands of varieties of distinct and interesting lichens, which appear in a myriad of places.
Winter view of Ling and Bell Heather. Sure sign that we are walking in well drained soil area, It is an abundant plant on heathland, moorland, bogs and even in woodland with acidic or peat soils. Its delicate pink flowers appear from August to October.
Heather is an important food source for various sheep and deer which can graze the tips of the plants when snow covers low-growing vegetation. Formerly heather was used to dye wool yellow and to tan leather. With malt heather is an ingredient in gruit a mixture of flavourings used in the brewing of beer during the Middle Ages before the use of hops.
Silverweed is a creeping, trailing plant that can be found on rough grassland, roadside verges, sand dunes and waste ground. Its yellow flowers appear between June and August among the creeping mats of its silvery, downy leaves which remain all year-round.
A low-growing plant, Silverweed has silvery leaves divided into twelve pairs of leaflets with toothed edges.
In the past Silverweed, when sweetened with honey, provided an effective gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers. From 16th to the 19th century was used as a cosmetic to cleanse skin.